UNLV School of Nursing

The philosophy of the School of Nursing is in concert with the major goals of the University.

The social frameworks in which individuals choose to function are influenced by the diversity of their experiences and their unique personal variables. Each person is viewed as a whole multidimensional dynamic system that interfaces with the society as an individual, family, group, and community.

Health and illness are the result of a person’s system’s capability to achieve stability and in response to stressors through the use of energy. As a self-determining being a person has the ultimate right and responsibility to participate in the achievement and maintenance of personally defined state of optimal health.

Nursing is a professional discipline that encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems. The Nurse is required to synthesize and integrate multiple forms of knowledge to diagnose and intervene. Knowledge is attained from Nursing research, Nursing theory, theories from the behavioral and physical sciences, and the humanities. The goal of Nursing is to assist the client to achieve a personally defined state of health. Nursing care is provided in an interpersonal relationship which is facilitated by basic process skills, Nursing process skills, and change process skills.

The design of the Nursing Education Program takes into account the needs of the students, the consumer of health care, the changing directions of health care in the areas of health promotion, disease prevention and health restoration, the advancements in technology, and the community which the program serves. The program fosters collaborative practice and professional development to be responsive to the changing health care needs of the environment.

At any level of Nursing Education, the primary responsibility of acquiring the skills, knowledge, and attitudes associated with Nursing practice belongs with the learner. The teacher acts as a facilitator and resource in the learning process, maintaining an environment conducive to learning and modeling professional Nursing behaviors. At the graduate level the student is encouraged to take an active role in designing learning strategies to facilitate individual goals.

The Undergraduate Degree Nursing Program prepares a clinical practice generalist. The educational experience facilitates the student to attain the knowledge, competencies, and attitudes of the professional Nurse to practice Nursing safely, effectively, and efficiently. Graduates of the Undergraduate Nursing Program are expected to demonstrate competencies consistent with being a critical thinker, a culturally competent caring provider of health care, an effective communicator, and a responsible manager of health care.

The Master’s Degree Nursing Program builds on the education of a clinical practice generalist and prepares an advanced practice Nurse. The educational experience facilitates the student to validate and expand research findings through application of theory and scientific inquiry. Graduates of the Master’s Degree Program are expected to function collaboratively and independently in an advanced practice role with various populations and health care settings.

The PhD in Nursing Program is designed to prepare leaders, scholars/researchers, and educators. This purpose shapes both the content and the process of the program. Graduates of the PhD program are expected to function in academia, the health care industry, or government and private organizations focused on health care.

Graduates of both Nursing programs are well grounded in empirical and theoretical information. Graduates demonstrate the ability to think critically, communicate effectively, appreciate the interdependence among individuals and groups, maintain inquisitiveness and openness, and value personal growth.

Philosophy