Program Learning Objectives
The objectives of the BSN program are as follow:
1. Use the nursing process to manage care for individuals, families, communities, and populations integrating physical, psychological, social, cultural, spiritual, and environmental considerations.
2. Use the research process through translation of evidence-based findings to advance professional nursing and the delivery of health care
3. Incorporate information management and patient care technology in the delivery of quality patient-centered care.
4. Accept personal accountability for lifelong learning, professional growth, and commitment to the advancement of the profession.
5. Combine theoretical knowledge from the sciences, humanities, and nursing as a foundation to professional nursing practice that focuses on health promotion and prevention of disease for individuals, families, communities, and populations.
6. Employ inter-professional communication and collaboration to ensure safe, quality care across the lifespan.
7. Integrate ethical, legal, and professional standards into the practice of nursing.
Mission Statement
The mission of West Virginia State University’s Nursing Program is to prepare competent and caring nursing graduates through excellence in nursing education and practice. The nursing program is committed to providing an accessible education to a diverse population of learners.
Vision
West Virginia State University will be recognized as a valuable nursing education program graduating qualified nurses to serve the health care needs of individuals, families, and communities.
Philosophy
Philosophy The Department of Nursing is an integral part of West Virginia State University. The nursing faculty believe that the conceptual bases of the practice of nursing include person, environment, health, and nursing. Person/Environment The faculty of the nursing program believes that the person can be defined as an individual, family, community, or society who deserves to be treated with respect, is unique, and should engage in deliberate action to achieve goals. The person is a combination of physical, psychosocial, spiritual, and cultural influences that are influenced by the environment and interactions with other people. Nurses must have respect for human dignity and promote respect of human values within all professional settings. Nursing should provide a trusting patient relationship and demonstrate separation of bias or prejudice. The faculty believe that the environment is made up of both internal and external factors. The person can be internally impacted by thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. The external impacts can be the physical surroundings, interaction with family, cultural influence, work environment, and religious impacts. These internal and external factors can impact the person’s ability to adapt and maintain health. Society has a responsibility to promote health/wellness to maximize outcomes and promote improvements in quality of life. Health/Wellness Health is a dynamic state that is influenced by shared interaction between the person and the environment. Health allows the person to be an active participant in life experiences and promotes the person’s ability to develop and meet goals. Illness is a disharmony with the person and environment. Perception of health, values, beliefs, culture, genetics, age, and lifestyle can impact the health/wellness continuum. It is a right for the person to have access to quality health care in order to maintain health/wellness.
Health/Wellness
Health is a dynamic state that is influenced by shared interaction between the person and the environment. Health allows the person to be an active participant in life experiences and promotes the person’s ability to develop and meet goals. Illness is a disharmony with the person and environment. Perception of health, values, beliefs, culture, genetics, age, and lifestyle can impact the health/wellness continuum. It is a right for the person to have access to quality health care in order to maintain health/wellness.
Nursing
The nurse’s role is to provide care and promote wellness for the person across the lifespan. The nurse must be knowledgeable regarding applications of theory to nursing practice. The nurse must also be knowledgeable about a broad range of scientific knowledge including biology, physical science, social science, and behavioral science to manage and coordinate the care of complex patients and communities. Improvements in the quality of care and outcomes is accomplished through self-reflection, feedback from others, and continued education. Nurses must participate in the integration of new evidence into standards of practice by valuing the concept of EBP as an integral part of determining best clinical practice. Nurses must have skills in critical thinking, collaboration with other professions, communication with patients, and professionalism. The nurse must also be prepared to function as a patient advocate and leader within the practice setting and entire profession. The nurse must assess the person and environment, develop partnerships with community leaders, and be an advocate for justice and equality. The nurse should utilize an ethical framework to examine social policy regarding populations that are considered vulnerable. The nurse should provide safe, patient centered-care that promotes inclusion of the patient in health promotion activities and improvements in health outcomes. Nurses must be knowledgeable regarding information management and have skills related to the application of patient care technology. Nurses must value contributions to outcomes of care and recognize that quality improvement is instrumental in the assessment and improvement of the care provided. Nurses are unique members of the health care team.
Education
Nursing education is the process of learning and application that clarifies the professional role of the nurse. Educational experiences should support and inspire growth within the profession. The educational experiences include an integration of self-directed learning opportunities for students. Faculty facilitate learning through didactic and clinical experiences. The faculty supports life-long learning and promotes involvement in leadership activities within the profession.