Statement of Philosophy

The statement of philosophy for the Valencia Nursing Program is a collective representation of what each of the members of the nursing faculty believes as individuals and as a teaching group. This philosophy guides us in the development of our nursing program as a unit of study at the college. The mission and outcomes of Valencia Community College are reflected in our program.

People are holistic beings having physiological, psychosocial, intellectual, developmental, spiritual, cultural, and external/internal environmental needs. Each individual has a right to personal choice and shared decision making for their health care needs.

Health is the sufficient gratification of basic human needs that enable persons to experience movement toward and/or attainment of self-actualization. These needs are organized in a hierarchy with lower needs on the hierarchy at least minimally satisfied before focusing on higher needs.

Environment is the combination of all conditions affecting the health, life, and development of a person. Environment is influenced by biological, chemical, psychosocial, and economic conditions of the community and is characterized by ambiguity, uncertainty, rapid change, and opportunity.

Nursing is a compassionate art and science given structure and organization through clinical decision making. Nursing is practiced within the framework of caring, critical thinking, ethical reasoning, a regulatory framework and established standards of practice. Caring nursing practice creates an environment of hope and trust; where client choice related to cultural values, beliefs and lifestyle is respected. The nurse is an advocate in the coordination, collaboration, and utilization of resources to meet clients’ needs in the delivery of culturally sensitive care. Nursing practice evolves in response to societal needs as well as scientific and technological advancement in the changing healthcare system. The goals of nursing practice are to assist clients throughout the life span in the promotion and maintenance of health, the acquisition of needed knowledge, the promotion of self-care, the establishment of support systems, the adaptation to altered physiological and/or psychosocial integrity, the prevention and early detection of illness, and the treatment of disease or provision of palliative care.

Learning is an individual and lifelong process evidenced by changes in thinking, valuing, communicating and acting. Learning is a teacher/student partnership in which the teacher’s responsibility is to be a role model and mentor, and to structure and facilitate conditions for learning through clearly defined expected outcomes. The student brings to this partnership the willingness to learn and assumes accountability for educational outcomes. A variety of strategies to insure student success are utilized to facilitate the student’s achievement of the program outcomes, attainment of maximum potential, and to promote continued learning.

Nursing education belongs within the higher education system. The community college provides the ideal setting for associate degree nursing education which is based on a clearly organized curriculum framework. Associate degree nursing education is responsive to nursing and educational research, and the rapidly changing needs of the healthcare delivery community. Qualified individuals should have an opportunity for upward mobility in nursing. Faculty are responsible for providing learning experiences that build on the student’s previous educational experience as well as provide an opportunity for the graduates to further their education by articulation with a university system. The curriculum includes study in nursing and related general education disciplines. The general education components are designed to ensure that the graduate has the foundation to function as an educated individual and informed participant in contemporary society. The nursing program values the diversity of the students’ age, life experiences, educational experiences, and culture as this diversity reflects the society they will serve. The health care needs of individuals and the learning needs of the student comprise the central focus for curriculum development.

The Valencia Community College Associate in Science Degree nursing graduate will demonstrate capability and confidence in the Valencia Community College competencies of: think, communicate, value, and act. In addition, the graduate adheres to standards of professional practice, is accountable for her/his own actions and behaviors, and practices nursing within legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks. The graduate will demonstrate capability and confidence in the competencies of: communicating effectively, behaving professionally, making clinical decisions, providing for a safe and effective environment, providing for the client’s physiological and psychosocial integrity, and promoting and maintaining health. The practice arena for the Valencia nursing graduate lies within health care settings and the community at large.

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