Program Philosophy
Vision
The Southern Utah University (SUU) Department of Nursing will be a hallmark Baccalaureate Nursing Program, providing quality nursing education that efficiently and effectively meets the needs of students and the regional community.
Mission
The Department of Nursing is made up of academic programs that prepare individuals for professional nursing practice. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing is recommended for students preparing for entry into nursing practice. We offer a learning-centered education that meets the requirements for a baccalaureate degree at SUU and ensures that graduates have the abilities to be successful professional nurses. The purpose of the Department of Nursing is to provide learning opportunities that engage students in a comprehensive program of classroom and experiential learning that emphasizes caring, critical thinking, problem solving, ethical decision making, and communication.
Goals
The observable, measurable goals of the Department of Nursing and our objectives by which we will accomplish them are:
- To prepare graduates to successfully enter nursing practice by offering well-planned and pedagogically sound learning exercises in courses and in research projects that develop skills in analysis, critical thinking, problem solving, and ethical decision making.
- To develop technically proficient nurses by offering students hands-on experiences with state-of- the-art health care equipment and providing coursework and clinical practicum opportunities.
- To support faculty members as health care professionals who demonstrate excellence in teaching, scholarly endeavors, practice, and professional community service and who provide leadership in nursing practice by rewarding good teaching, encouraging participation in clinical practice and professional organizations, doctoral-prepared faculty, and scholarly engagement in current faculty.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of the Southern Utah University Baccalaureate Nursing Program, graduates will be able to do the following:
- Provide quality professional nursing care based on a synthesis of theoretical and empirical knowledge from nursing, physical and social sciences, arts and humanities, and life experiences.
- Use evidence as the basis for clinically competent contemporary nursing care.
- Communicate effectively using various means in a variety of roles and settings.
- Optimize health care to diverse individuals, families, groups and communities through collaboration with interdisciplinary health care teams.
- Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and motivation toward life-long learning.
- Influence the quality of nursing and health care using leadership skills, management concepts, and a knowledge of the political system.
- Be legally and ethically accountable for clinical nursing practice.
- Assume the role of generalist nurse and become a responsible member of the profession.