Mission Statement

The faculty is dedicated to preparing the student for life-long learning in order to meet the increasing demands of the expanding environment of nursing practice. The graduates of the Department of Nursing will have developed the values and competencies which include: critical thinking; culturally competent care; autonomy; communication; and decision making within a framework of professional and ethical principles that are central to the delivery of nursing care in a global environment.

Statement of Philosophy

Nursing is an art and science that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems among individuals, families, groups, and communities. Health is a state of well-being that enables individuals and groups to function at their highest level. 

It is the belief of the faculty that baccalaureate nursing education is necessary for the practitioner of professional nursing to think critically and creatively and to have sound education in nursing science, related sciences, and humanities. The educational empowerment of students promotes professionalization, community service and the competence to impact the health care system. The faculty believes that the registered nurse returning to school is best served by a program which provides the opportunity for, and support of, individual exploration, development in the transition from registered nurse to professional nurse. The faculty strongly supports the concept of baccalaureate education for entry into professional practice, continued intellectual, moral, and ethical development, and serves as the foundation for graduate education.

The faculty believes that graduate nursing education provides an opportunity for the student to develop advanced competencies in nursing, in areas of concentration and role function, congruent with an expanding theoretical knowledge and authority base.  Graduate education increased the opportunity for nurses to obtain advanced preparation and serves to increase the number of advanced practice nurses and nurse educators that serve the community. The faculty participates in the education process as role models, facilitators, mentors, and learners.

The faculty believes that the process of education is best accomplished in a climate of respect for adult learners who come to our classrooms not only with previous experience as students, but with diverse life experiences as nurses and individuals.

The Goals of the Undergraduate Program

1. Demonstrates critical thinking skills and communication skills within a framework of professional and ethical principles.
2. Synthesize theoretical and empirical knowledge from the related sciences, humanities, and nursing in order to strengthen clinical decision making skills.
3. Demonstrate the transition to the professional nursing role.
4. Collaborate with members of the health professions and with consumers for the continued improvement of health care.
5. Demonstrates culturally competent care in the delivery of healthcare.

The Goals of C.W. Post Department of Nursing Graduate Program

1. Demonstrate advanced practice in clinical nursing or nursing education utilizing a strong theory and research base to provide high quality care to individuals, families, and communities. 
2. Demonstrate leadership, management, and advocacy skills in the advanced practice role.
3. Demonstrate advanced competencies in clinical nursing and nursing education based on ethical decision-making and culturally competent care.
4. Critically analyze a research problem and develop a proposal that incorporates the research problem in the advanced practice role.
5. Develop to collaborative relationships with other members of the health care delivery system to formulate innovative approaches to health care, and to manage organizational problems.
6. Demonstrate sound decision-making based on critical thinking and diagnostic reasoning in clinical nursing and nursing education.