Kent State University College of Nursing faculty support the University's three-fold mission of teaching, research,
and public service. The faculty is committed to a strong and viable liberal arts and science base for nursing
education. The baccalaureate and graduate programs in nursing have been developed to support the mission of the
University.
CONCEPT OF PERSON
The faculty believes that each person is a unique, dynamic, and complex human being having biological,
psychological, social, and spiritual dimensions. Each of the dimensions develops and functions interdependently
contributing to the totality of the person. People both influence and are influenced by the environment. The quality of
biological, psychological, social, and spiritual development influences the person's ability to cope with life situations
and to achieve full potential. Though all persons share many common patterns of development and response, each
possesses biological characteristics reflecting intrinsic genetic endowment and potential for development.
Each person has psychological attributes including thoughts, emotions, and values that influence behavior. People
may alter their behavior purposefully through self-understanding, clarification of goals, development of cognitive skills,
acquisition of knowledge, and exercise of choice. People are social beings, influenced by and participating in their
cultural heritage and the cultural diversity of others. People may share thoughts and feelings with others, cooperate
with, value, feel compassion for others, and modify desires and behaviors for their own and others' benefit. Having a
spiritual dimension, people seek to find meaning for their lives. They have inherent worth and are entitled to dignity,
respect, and belief in their own potential and value. Each person has the right to make decisions that affect the
quality of life and inevitable death. Exercise of such freedom is constrained by individual and societal forces.
CONCEPT OF SOCIETY
Society is the structure of relationships among human beings and is composed of individuals, families, communities,
and nations in an interactive state. Development of the person's values and beliefs occurs through the influence of
the family and other societal groups. Ever changing environmental forces influence behavior, interactions,
perceptions, and health. Continuous and rapid change characterizes contemporary society and creates the need for
individuals, families, communities, and nations to seek out new alternatives necessary to adapt to change.
CONCEPT
OF HEALTH
Health is a relative
and dynamic state defined by the person, family, and society. The
concept of health may be viewed in terms of individuals, families, and
communities and is influenced by factors within the environment.
Health is described for given phases of the developmental process in
relation to complex and changing interactions of biological,
psychological, spiritual, social, and environmental dimensions.
Individual, family, and community health are interrelated. Although
the pursuit of health is primarily the responsibility of the
individual, health is the shared responsibility of the individual, the
family, and the community. Each individual has a right to health care
but decisions are made within society that impact on the persons
access to health care. Efforts to assure access to quality health care
for all are initiated and supported by the nursing profession. Nursing
collaborates with others in shaping health care policy.
CONCEPT
OF NURSING
Nursing is a discipline
and a profession committed to helping individuals, families, and
communities attain, maintain, or regain optimal health. Nursing is
responsible for expansion of the discipline through research and other
scholarly endeavors. Practice is derived from the discipline and
regulated by the nursing profession. Nursing education is the
responsibility of the nursing profession.
The method of approach
and framework for accountability for the practice of nursing is the
nursing process. The domain of nursing practice includes independent
and interdependent dimensions. The interpersonal process is essential
in collaborating with clients and other members of the health team to
enhance the health of individuals, families, and communities. To
empower persons to participate in change, professional nurses need to
understand and use theories of leadership and the change process.
Professional nursing
practice is provided by generalists and specialists. The generalist
practices in a variety of institutional and community settings and
provides comprehensive nursing care. Generalist practitioners are
accountable for their own nursing practice, work collaboratively with
other health professionals, and participate in planned change. The
specialist facilitates change through leadership roles in
administration, clinical specialization, and education. Graduates are
prepared to participate in the research process.
CONCEPT
OF EDUCATION
Education for the first
nursing professional degree is at the baccalaureate level and prepares
a generalist. The generalist, prepared at the baccalaureate level, has
a scientific and liberal arts base combined with knowledge from the
discipline of nursing. This education provides opportunity for the
development of the Individual as a person as well as a professional
practitioner. The specialist in nursing, through graduate study,
becomes expert in a defined area of theory and practice that are
grounded in research and clinical expertise. Graduate education
prepares the learner for advanced clinical practice. The graduate
student is prepared to function in the role of administrator, clinical
specialist, educator, and/or nurse practitioner. The interrelationship
of theory, practice, and research in the selected role enables the
graduate to independently or in collaboration with others, effect
positive health changes in society. Education at the master's level
also serves as a foundation for doctoral study.
Formal education is an
organized and purposeful process with the goal of developing an
individual's ways of thinking, valuing, and acting. The core of
education is the teaching-learning process. The teaching-learning
process requires reciprocal interaction and responsible endeavor on
the part of the teacher and the learner. Learning necessarily remains
individual. Each learner has unique and Innate capacities, life
experiences, and goals. The motivation for learning and the direction
of learning are ultimately the responsibility of the learner. The
teacher creates an atmosphere conducive to learning, allows for
Individual differences, and assists the learner to achieve goals. The
climate for learning promotes intellectual curiosity, conceptual
ability, self-direction, and collegial relationships.
Because the knowledge
base in nursing is continually expanding, professional practice
requires continuing study of broad knowledge, and skills as well as
commitment to social and ethical responsibilities. The professional
nurse engages in life-long learning. The faculty believes that the
program of nursing education helps to fulfill the university's
threefold mission of teaching, research and public service.
Revised and approved by
Faculty .... 1/93
