Nursing - Associate in Science

Core Organizing Concepts 

• Patient-centered Care
• Nursing Judgment (Evidence-based Practice)
• Safety & Quality Improvement
• Professional Identity
• Teamwork and Collaboration
• Informatics and Technology

Program Philosophy

Nursing is an art and science reflective of and responsive to an ever-changing healthcare environment. Nursing professionals utilize clinical judgment, quality improvement, informatics, teamwork and collaboration to provide safe, culturally-competent, patient-centered care. The goal of the professional nurse is to protect, promote, and restore comfort and health throughout the lifespan.

Education as a life-long, interactive process provides the opportunity for the adult learner to develop personally, socially, and intellectually. The adult learner’s previous life experiences and knowledge provide a foundation for acquiring new knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) prepares the graduate for entry into professional nursing practice. As a registered nurse generalist the ADN graduate leads, manages, and provides direct care to individuals, families, and groups across various healthcare environments.

End of Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Associate of Science in Nursing degree, the graduate will:

1. Provide safe, quality, evidence-based, patient-centered nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings to diverse patients across the lifespan. (safety and patient-centered care)
2. Apply critical thinking and clinical reasoning to make evidence-based decisions. (nursing judgment)
3. Implement established quality measures to improve patient care. (quality improvement and safety)
4. Participate in collaborative relationships with members of the interprofessional team, the patient, family and/or designee to achieve quality patient-centered care. (teamwork and collaboration)
5. Utilize information systems and patient care technology to communicate, implement best nursing practices, minimize risk, and support clinical decision making. (informatics)
6. Demonstrate leadership skills in a variety of healthcare settings for diverse patients. (professional identity)
7. Exhibit professional behaviors within legal and ethical practice frameworks. (professional identity)

Program Outcomes

 

The most recent accreditation decision made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners for the Associate Degree nursing program is Continuing Accreditation.

Last evaluation visit: October 22-24, 2019; Next evaluation visit: Fall 2027.