About Us: Philosophy, Mission & Goals

PHILOSOPHY

The Faculty of The Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing believe that:

• Nursing is a process by which theoretical and scientific knowledge is applied for the purpose of assisting people to move in the direction of positive wellness. It encompasses the promotion of health, the care and prevention of illness or disability and the rehabilitation of individuals, significant others, and groups in institutions and the community. It involves technical skills, therapeutic communication skills, application of the nursing process to facilitate holistic care, and use of critical thinking skills. It respects the individuality, dignity and rights of every person, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, marital status, socioeconomic status, handicap, or lifestyle.
• Education is a life-long process by which behavior is changed through the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and desirable attitudes. Its real purpose is growth toward maturity: physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. Nursing education guides and encourages caring behaviors in learning and practice which prepare the student for fulfillment of his/her role in nursing and its challenging concepts. Students learn best when they are motivated, challenged according to their potential and when they derive satisfaction from their endeavors. Varied and flexible experiences are provided which are sequential and provide continuity and increasing complexity. The student plays an important part in the evaluation of the Educational Program and of his/her own progress. Faculty members continually expand their own education in order to develop an effective student learning experience.
• Critical Thinking is thinking that defines its purposes and goals well; frames a question or problem precisely; carefully checks information for its completeness and relevance; is sensitive to ideas and concepts; can trace implications and consequences; can appreciate multiple perspectives and ways of looking at things. It is, in short, thinking done in such a way as to be disciplined and self-correcting. The program fosters the development of the following attributes in the student: well-informed, trustful of reason, open-minded, fair-minded in evaluation, focused/orderly, diligent, selective, persistent, willing to reevaluate, and habitually inquisitive.
• Community is a group of people living in a specific region who share common interests. The School services an area which is an aggregate of communities composed of people in many settings. It plays an active role in this community by preparing competent graduate nurses to practice in hospitals and other health care settings within the community. Input from employers of graduates assists in determining the future needs of the program. Faculty and students promote positive wellness in community members through health screening and education services. It is the responsibility of students and faculty to be knowledgeable about the concerns of the community we serve and to establish working relationships with health practitioners and community groups as resource persons and providers of health care.
• Professional Accountability is taking responsibility for one's own actions and judgments related to delivery of quality patient care. The selection and direction of all nursing experiences and the periodic evaluation of their effectiveness is the responsibility of the faculty. It is most effective when all those who are involved in the educational program understand and accept the Philosophy of the School. This educational program has been designed to furnish learning experiences in Principles of Nursing, Medical-Surgical, Maternal-Child, and Psycho-Social Nursing. The Program promotes personal and professional growth, fosters accountability, critical thinking, and self-direction in the Student. Continuing education and participation in professional organizations are imperative for the new graduate in order to adapt to the evolving role of the professional nurse in the health care delivery system.

GOALS

It is the goal of The School of Nursing to:

• Prepare the graduate to practice as an entry level professional nurse in hospitals, health care agencies, and programs in the community.
• Promote commitment to continuing education for personal and professional growth.
• Provide an environment which fosters development of maturity, self-direction, and critical thinking.
• Develop knowledgeable graduates who seek to achieve positive wellness in self and others in the community.
• Develop responsible and accountable graduates who practice within the legal limits and professional standards of nursing.

CURRICULUM OBJECTIVES

The student will:

NURSING

• Utilize the nursing process in caring for patients/ significant others, and groups of patients with varying complexities of health problems.
• Organize care for patients/significant others and groups of patients utilizing beginning leadership skills.
• Teach patients/significant others and groups of patients based on identified needs validated through the processes of communication and data collection.
• Evaluate a comprehensive plan of care to meet the needs of patients/significant others, and groups of patients utilizing appropriate nursing interventions based upon scientific principles.
• Practice nursing with consideration for the rights of each person as a unique individual.

EDUCATION

• Evaluate self for personal and professional growth.
• Anticipate engaging in continuing education.
• Actively participate in the evaluation of the curriculum.

CRITICAL THINKING

• Synthesize theoretical knowledge and practical skills in nursing practice.
• Utilize thinking that is disciplined and self-correcting.

COMMUNITY

• Participate actively in the provision of health-related services in the community.
• Integrate measures to promote, maintain and restore optimal wellness of self and others.
• Coordinate continuity of care for patients/significant others, and groups of patients through collaboration and communication with other members of the health care team.

PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY

• Practice within the legal limits and professional standards of nursing.
• Practice nursing in a professionally accountable manner in various settings in the community.