College of Nursing

Philosophy

The philosophy of the College of Nursing & Health Professions is congruent with the mission of Lewis University in the belief that each person is unique and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. As a total being, the individual is different from and more than the sum of the parts. The person is an open being, free to choose in interaction with the environment. Persons are unique in that they are capable of feeling, valuing, and reflecting in order to find meaning in situations and to make decisions. Everyone has needs which range from survival to development of individual potential.

Persons are encompassed by families and communities and seek to define their uniqueness through their interactions with these systems. Respect for the diversity of individuals is fostered through understanding of this larger context. The environment is the largest open system and consists of, but is not limited to, political, economic, sociocultural, and ecological subsystems. Each societal subgroup has a structure through which it transmits cultural and spiritual values and mores, provides psychosocial support systems, and influences health related behaviors. Thus, the appropriate arena for nursing action extends beyond the individual and includes promotion of social action related to health issues and concerns.

Health is a multidimensional sense of harmony and well being and can only be described by the individual as experienced. A person's health is influenced by interactions with the health care system and exercise of the right to self determination. The promotion of health for all members of society requires the active identification of vulnerable populations and management of the elements of the environment which impact these populations.

Nursing is an autonomous profession with its own domain different from other health care professions with which it functions in a collaborative mode. Nursing builds upon knowledge from the humanities and the natural and human sciences as well as the unique nursing knowledge base derived from theory, research, and practice. The synthesis of the interrelated concepts from these fields of study provides a theoretical and scientific basis for professional nursing. The central phenomenon of concern in nursing is the total human being in interaction with the environment.

The goal of professional nursing is to maximize health and quality of life from the person's perspective. It utilizes a systematic and caring approach and involves the client in mutual goal setting and evaluation. The professional nurse considers physiological, psychosocial, and spiritual dimensions of the client and their relationship to health. Professional nursing can take place in any setting. It includes both independent and collaborative functioning within the interdisciplinary health care team. The professional nurse practices in an active leadership role within the context of responsible moral and ethical dimensions. Professional Nursing acknowledges the moral imperative to assume social responsibility for effecting change intended to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities.

Nursing education is an ongoing process which involves the educator and the learner in pursuing and sharing knowledge. Students are viewed as adult learners. In this context, learners engage in the educational process in a spirit of self-directedness by assuming responsibility for learning. The learner enters the educational process with a unique personal and cultural history which serves as a rich resource for learning and contributes to self identity. This background energizes formal learning settings and provides the impetus for continued personal and professional growth.

The educator has a moral responsibility to assist individual learners to work toward development of their full potential. The educator enters the learning environment as a resource person, facilitator, and co-learner. The educator respects and values the experiences and knowledge of the adult students and shares his or her own evolving base of competency. A climate of mutual inquiry, support, and interdependence contribute to the exchange of knowledge and experience among learners.

The educational process focuses on critical inquiry which enables the learner to recognize meaningful phenomena, to take appropriate actions in a variety of situations, and to interactively evaluate the outcomes of actions. The reflective process emphasizes creative insight, valuation, and self realization.

Teaching and learning are essential continuing components of professional responsibility in nursing. Learning is a lifelong process which requires a commitment to personal and professional growth and continued development of individual knowledge and abilities. This pursuit of knowledge and wisdom is the responsibility of both faculty and students.

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