Mission, Vision, & Values
Mission, Vision, & Values
As an integral part of Nashville State Community College, the nursing program derives its overall philosophy and purpose from the mission and goals of the College. Nashville State is first and foremost a teaching institution that places high value on maximizing student access to educational programs and on graduates’ success in finding employment or continuing their education. The culture of Nashville State values:
- Helping students succeed in reaching their educational and career goals
- Providing learning opportunities to serve students in occupational and educational settings
- Responding to the educational and training demands of both students and employers
- Advancing the economic development of the service area
The faculty support and implement the mission, goals, and philosophy of providing an innovative, creative, and comprehensive curriculum in an interactive environment. We acknowledge the diverse needs of our students and clinical agencies as we work together for community enrichment.
The Nashville State nursing program is committed to fostering an environment that promotes self-directed professionals in the art of caring, interpersonal communication, and critical thinking. Our vision recognizes graduates as patient advocates who are stakeholders of the health and welfare of the community; thus, our motto is NSCC Nursing: From Classroom to Community.
Mission
Nashville State Community College nursing program aspires to professional excellence in teaching and learning with a dedication to provide evidenced-based nursing practice through discovery, integration, application, innovative technology and scholarship. We are committed to fostering an environment that promotes self-directed professionals in the art of caring, interpersonal communication and critical thinking. Our vision recognizes graduates as patient advocates who are stakeholders of the health and welfare of the community.
Vision
Nashville State Community College nursing program’s vision is to prepare nurses who demonstrate professional competency in their application of the art and science of the nursing process, who are committed to serve the communities in which they live.
Values
The Nashville State nursing program cultivates a dynamic learning environment that embodies accountability/trust, caring, creativity/passion, diversity, excellence, and lifelong learning.
- Accountability/Trust: The ethical, moral and legal responsibility of professional nursing practice to serve others without self-interest. Trust denotes a positive relationship of openness and fairness while creating an environment of safety, dignity and respect.
- Caring: A foundational practice where the nurse is a privileged observer of the human response.
- Creativity/Passion: Devotion and dedication of both heart and mind to the practice of professional nursing.
- Diversity: A broad holistic approach to guide nursing care practice which assimilates a person's beliefs, customs and values and improves the human condition without judgment.
- Excellence: Competent professional nursing is actualized through quality education in an environment of honesty, integrity and respect.
- Lifelong Learning: A voluntary commitment in the pursuit of knowledge to enhance personal or professional growth.
Theoretical Framework
The person is a unique being with spiritual, cognitive, biophysical, psychological, emotional and sociocultural dimensions. A person is motivated and influenced by beliefs, values, goals and perceptions. A person possesses dignity, rights, worth, and deserves respect and the opportunity to make choices affecting health across the life span. An individual has adaptive abilities to meet hierarchical needs as they develop through life cycles and stages. The individual strives to maintain homeostasis.
The environment has dynamic internal and external influences that impact individuals, families, groups, and communities. These influences are defined by physical, intellectual, emotional, cultural and societal forces which require adaptation to maintain holistic health.
Health is a dynamic process influenced by the environment and uniquely defined by the individual. Illness is an imbalance from homeostasis and the holistic health of the individual while wellness can embody the presence or absence of disease.
Nursing is an art and a science requiring the application of knowledge and technical skills that focus on the caring of individuals, families, groups, and communities using a holistic approach. Nursing actions are developed through assessment, nursing diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation. Nursing actions are also developed from the scientific process, the development of critical thinking, communication, and independent judgment. Nursing actions are directed toward caring for individuals, families, groups, and communities to attain and/or maintain optimum health throughout the life span. Nursing roles include care provider, coordinator/manager of care, and a member of the interdisciplinary health team. Collaboration, organization, delegation, accountability, advocacy, collegiality, ethics, and leadership reflect nursing roles that encompass the Standard of Professional Performance. Nursing is practiced as both a science and a caring art in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings.
Teaching is an energetic interaction between the teacher and the student. The teaching role advocates facilitation, role modeling and mentoring of all students. Multiple teaching modalities are integrated to address various student learning styles. The nursing program reflects an organized curriculum increasing in difficulty and complexity over time.
Learning is a life-long, ongoing process which is progressive, cumulative, and is evidenced by behavioral change. The education process involves recognition of each student as a unique individual and requires open communication between the student and faculty member. The learner is an active participant who is accountable for the pursuit, acquisition, application and personalization of knowledge. It is the responsibility of the teacher to provide a positive learning environment to promote learning. Learning is enhanced through multi-sensory approaches, and the provision of a variety of learning experiences. Learning requires opportunities in the clinical setting to provide the application of knowledge and acquisition of skills. Learning experiences are directed toward growth of independent thought, critical thinking, and mastery of clinical skills needed to provide safe, competent care to individuals, families, groups, and communities.
The conceptual framework of the Nashville State nursing program philosophy and mission (depicted in the illustration below) demonstrates how the key concepts and constructs of leadership, communication, critical thinking, and the nursing process are integrated throughout the curriculum. These key concepts and constructs are reflected in the program outcomes, the semester student learning outcomes, and the course student learning outcomes.
Expected Behaviors
In accordance with the ANA Standards of Professional Performance and the National League of Nursing graduate competencies, the graduate of the Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) nursing program at Nashville State Community College will demonstrate the following professional behaviors upon completion of the program:
Communication
Communicate effectively using:
- Verbal
- Nonverbal
- Written techniques including information and technology.
Nursing Process
- Evaluate outcomes of clinical decisions implemented to provide safe and effective evidence-based nursing care.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of caring interventions that incorporate principles of dignity, diversity, safety and knowledge.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the implemented teaching plan to meet the learning needs of patients, families, and/or groups.
Critical Thinking
- Analyze subjective and objective data to identify actual or potential health alterations.
- Manage care through effective use of prioritization, delegation, informatics, and resources.
Leadership
- Practice within the ethical, legal and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional nursing practice.
- Collaborate when planning, implementing, and evaluating care.