Our
Philosophy
The School of Nursing at Avila supports and is consistent with the values and expectations of the larger Avila Community including excellence in teaching and learning, the Catholic identity of the college, the worth, dignity and potential of each human being, diversity and its expression, commitment of the continual growth of the whole person, and interaction with and service to others. The School of Nursing gratefully acknowledges the sponsorship, contribution, and far-reaching vision of the Sisters of St. Joseph who established this program over 50 years ago.
The professional nurse is educated
through a four-year degree at a college or university with a major
in nursing. This educational process includes preparation in the
liberal arts, behavioral, biological, and natural sciences, communication
and higher-level thinking abilities. This process prepares the graduate
for minimum entry into practice and facilitates professional role
competency as clinician, advocate, educator, leader, manager, and
colleague. To best meet these role expectations, the professional
nurse must embrace the value of caring and recognize varied perceptions
of and responses to life experiences that people encounter. These
perceptions and responses are influenced by such things as age,
gender, culture, socioeconomics and spiritual beliefs. The professional
nurse respectfully acknowledges individual differences and the importance
of these differences in achieving health and optimal responses to
life experiences.
Health is viewed holistically and globally, encompassing individual, families, and aggregates with varying degrees of health- or illness-related needs and perceptions. Health is determined by the perceptions of the individual. Health includes promotion of wellness as well as the treatment and prevention of illness.
Person is defined broadly as individuals, families, and aggregates. Health and illness related needs are encountered in broad and diverse environments including the home, the school, the hospital, the clinic, the neighborhood, and the church. The faculty believe that all individuals have the ability to self-determine and to impact their well being as well as their environment.
Through teaching strategies faculty make visible the connection between the liberal arts, sciences, and nursing practice. This connection builds on the foundation provided in a four-year education and models life-long learning. Effective teaching occurs in a non-threatening and supportive environment.
Teaching/learning strategies should facilitate active learning and be collaborative. Learning is evidenced through the student's increasing knowledge base and personal, social, spiritual and professional development. Responsibility for learning resides in the student. Learning requires self-direction, self-motivation, acquisition of new knowledge and skills, use of effective and facilitative communication, and critical thinking and decision making. Evaluation of learning is directed toward achievement of higher-level thinking skills and role development. Outcomes assessment of the curriculum and constituency satisfaction guide curriculum decisions. |
