We believe community college students bring a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds, life experiences, learning styles, and developmental levels to the learning environment. The college community provides the opportunity for students and faculty to participate in cultural exchange; it encourages the examination and development of ideas through a balanced social forum and provides an environment for growth. We support self-development, including ongoing self-assessment and evaluation.
Philosophy of the Individual
We believe each person, regardless of race, creed, religion, or culture, is a unique, complex, holistic being and deserving of respect. All persons share with others common human attributes and basic human needs, adapting to physical and psychosocial experiences and stresses. Individuals have an inherent right to strive to attain optimal health and achieve their full potential in life. They possess dignity, and self-worth and have the right to information that will assist them to make informed decisions regarding health care. We believe that access to health care is the right of each member of society.
Philosophy of Health
We believe health and illness are relative, ever-changing states of being. Individuals exist on a continuum ranging from a state of optimal functioning to the absence of discernible disease, to obvious disease that can result in death. Illness occurs when there is an alteration in the function of one or more body systems. We believe the health care delivery system is changing quickly in response to societal demands, rapidly changing technology, and the increasing lifespan. These changes have resulted in a collaborative level of interaction between health care workers and the consumer.
Philosophy of Nursing
We believe that nursing is a dynamic profession in which nurses work collaboratively to provide safe, compassionate, client-centered, holistic health care. As members of the health care team, nurses have an evolving practice, based on innovations, emerging technologies, and changing societal needs based on the Art of Caring. Nursing blends evidence-based practice with the altruistic art of caring to promote, maintain, and restore wellness. Nursing demonstrates professionalism and caring for vulnerable individuals throughout their lifespan using cognitive, psychom*otor, and affective skills. Nurses assist individuals to use their available resources to adapt to an optimum level of functioning.
Philosophy of Nursing Education
Nursing education occurs in a variety of settings and prepares graduates with different levels of expertise. The nursing faculty uses a systematic approach to instruction that builds on previously learned knowledge from related disciplines and life experiences. We believe that sound nursing education is based upon concepts relating to the individual, health/illness, environment, and nursing. Nursing education values and adheres to professional standards and regulatory guidelines and incorporates knowledge from a variety of disciplines including the humanities, social, physical, and natural sciences. nursing education facilitates students gathering the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that provide the framework for students to assume responsibility and accountability as nurses. Nursing education provides the environment which fosters students to become managers of care, learn to anticipate the needs of their patients, and how to advocate for health promotion and risk reduction. nursing education provides students with the tools necessary to become change agents for the individual as well as for the profession of nursing. We believe that nursing education provides students with the foundation for safe nursing practice. We believe nursing education is a transformative process that builds upon past learning and serves as the beginning of a journey of lifelong learning for the professional nurse. A variety of caregivers are educated at different levels to provide health care services to the public. The Vocational nurse is educated to be a responsible member of a health care team, performing basic therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive care. The role of the Vocational nurse is an evolving one and encompasses providing specific services to patients under the direction of a licensed physician and/or registered professional nurse. Registered nurses with an Associate Degree in nursing function as designers, providers, managers, coordinators of care, and are members of the profession. They utilize critical thinking and clinical reasoning processes in their practice, including the establishment of priorities, performance of therapeutic interventions, and evaluation of client outcomes.
Philosophy of Teaching and Learning
We believe that learning results in a change in behavior that can be measured, and which persists. Optimum learning for a diverse student body occurs in a non-threatening, supportive environment, in which frequent feedback is an essential element. Learning is a life-long process. We believe that optimal learning occurs when multiple evidence-based teaching methodologies are utilized in an environment with mutual respect and collaboration between learners, faculty, and healthcare team members. We as nurse educators believe that accountability, ethical standards, moral values, and high-level integrity lead to a successful nursing graduate. Learning is maximized when the student feels a need to learn and accepts a share of the responsibility of planning and implementing the learning experience. The engaged, motivated learner enters the educational process with valuable life experiences, personal initiative, commitment to the profession, and a belief in the worth and dignity of all persons. Through passionate engagement, critical reflection, and multiple ways of knowing, relating, and learning, students will apply theory to ensure safe nursing practice. We as nurse educators are an expression of the profession and facilitate a safe, collaborative, interactive learning environment. In an environment of student-centered learning, faculty foster and stimulate critical thinking, clinical reasoning and judgment, and an appreciation of social, ethical, and cultural diversity. In collaboration with the student, the nurse educator utilizes a multi-level curriculum moving from simple to complex concepts to develop safe, competent, caring, professional nurses. We believe that a curriculum producing well-educated nursing professionals should include the following program concepts holistic patient-centered care, evidence-based practice, professionalism, safety, caring, and collaboration/communication.
Adopted: 02/20
Revised: 05/22
Reviewed: 05/22
