We believe that all individuals have basic health needs and are confronted with specific developmental tasks as they progress through the successive stages of the life cycle. These basic health needs are constantly changing in relation to internal and external stressors. Individuals' adaptation to stressors is influenced by perception, conditioning factors, and coping mechanisms, which move them toward adaptation and health or maladaptation and illness.

We believe wellness is based on an integration of body, mind, and spirit. Nursing is a dynamic interaction between nurses and clients designed to promote, maintain, or restore clients' abilities to satisfy basic human needs or supportive care at the end of life. Nursing practice is based on standards of care and on the skillful use of nursing process. Nurses assist individuals and their families to achieve balance and optimum levels of health within their unique social/cultural environment. Nursing practice takes place within the framework of the therapeutic nurse-client relationship.

Associate degree registered nurses provide client-centered, theory-based nursing care to individuals and their families with commonly recurring health needs. Associate degree nurses assist clients and their families to adapt to health alterations. This care occurs in a variety of structured practice settings. Associate degree nurses are prepared to assume the roles and responsibilities of care providers, care managers, and members of the profession. Associated degree nurses utilize therapeutic interventions and sound judgment as will as effective communication and teaching. In the practice setting, associate degree nurses function cooperatively with nurses of various educational preparations. Associate degree registered nurses serve as managers for those with less preparation and collaborate with those with higher education in clinical situations with multiple and possibly unpredictable variables. These roles are described in full in Education Outcomes of Associate Degree Nursing Programs: Roles and Competencies, National League for Nursing, 1999.

Based on the belief that knowledge of nursing can best be acquired in an institution of higher learning, we feel that nursing education belongs within an organized educational framework and should provide experiences directed toward acquisition and application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Associate degree nursing education should provide a general education in humanities and sciences to prepare graduates to assume responsibilities inherent in nursing practice and to contribute to personal and social development.

We recognize that the community served by this institution is suburban, rural, and urban and that the clients come from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Learning experiences are planned to provide contact with a variety of clients and settings, both inpatient and community-based settings.

As educators, we believe that learning is a continuing, ongoing process which requires acceptance of responsibility by both the teacher and the learner and is enhanced by a sincere interest in the professional development of the student. We also believe that education should provide means for individuals to achieve their potential and to adapt to living in a rapidly changing world. We strongly encourage all graduates to pursue further education and expect that all graduates will continue to grow professionally.