School of Nursing
Joane T. Moceri, Ph.D., dean
Susan B. Stillwell, D.N.P., associate dean for graduate education
Casey R. Shillam, Ph.D., associate dean for baccalaureate education
Faculty: Auxier, Bailey, Banks, Barber, Blackhurst, Braband, Cameron, Chorpenning, Collazo, Converse, Cox, Craig, Davis Sills, Decker (Emerita), Duda, Ericson, Kozy, Krautscheid, Lancaster, Limjuco Woodruff, Mayer, Mickel, Moceri, Mood, Nelson, Oakes, Olsen, Potter, Rothacker-Peyton, Shillam, Simmons, Simpson, Stillwell, Stragnell, Vermeesch, Wilson-Anderson
Introduction
The School of Nursing offers bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.), master of science, and doctor of nursing practice degrees. Convinced of the intrinsic dignity of the human person, the University believes that the best interests of nurses and, through them, the persons for whom they care, can most effectively be met and maintained by a program of study that integrates the professional courses with the liberal arts.
Professional nursing is a therapeutic profession with responsibilities of judgment, interpretive thinking, and critical analysis. Professional nurses are contributing, self-reliant members of the healthcare team. Thus, they must develop a broad understanding of people, society, and current health needs. They need to be able to discern changes in social patterns and to develop skills to meet the challenges of the future in healthcare. The School of Nursing prepares graduates to meet these challenges through upper division B.S.N. program courses, combined with humanities and science courses that provide a framework for students to build on through further academic study, experience, and life-long learning. Omicron Upsilon, the University of Portland School of Nursing’s chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, offers membership to seniors and graduate students who have demonstrated superior academic achievement in nursing. Membership actively supports further professional development and promotes nursing scholarship, leadership, and creativity.
The baccalaureate program, courses, and expected outcomes reflect professional standards and guidelines including The Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education for Professional Nursing Practice (AACN, 2008). The B.S.N. curriculum is designed to prepare graduates for the practice of professional nursing in a variety of settings. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), a requirement in all states to obtain professional Registered Nurse (R.N.) licensure, and may apply for appointments in the Air Force, Army or Navy nurse programs. The School of Nursing is approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing, is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), and is a member of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), the National League for Nursing (NLN), and the Western Institute of Nursing (WIN).
Mission
We are a diverse and innovative community who embody a passion for the profession by educating transformational leaders who intentionally practice the science, art and essence of nursing.
Vision: Educating nurses who make a difference.
Program Outcomes
The baccalaureate program in nursing at the University provides students with a liberal arts and science foundation along with concentrated study in the professional nursing major. The program provides students with the opportunity to develop competency in the assessment of health needs and in the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health. A rich variety of settings are used to reflect the array of actual and potential health problems experienced by individuals, families, and communities throughout the life cycle.
The B.S.N. program outcomes are:
- Knowledge user: Practices theory guided, evidence-based nursing care representative of the various ways of knowing.
- Critical thinker: Demonstrates outcome-directed clinical reasoning in the delivery and management of safe client-centered nursing care.
- Spiritual carer: Promotes the spiritual dimension of health directed toward issues of meaning, hope, and faith.
- Culturally competent provider: Provides respectful and holistic care within a diverse and changing society.
- Steward: Uses physical, fiscal, and human resources to achieve quality, safe, and effective outcomes.
- Effective communicator: Communicates appropriately and effectively with clients, healthcare team members, stakeholders, policy-makers, and the public.
- Healthcare leader: Provides leadership in the design, delivery, management, and evaluation of healthcare.
- Healthcare advocate: Advocates for clients, society, and the nursing profession by applying principles of ethics, legal frameworks, and social justice in the provision of health care.
- Professional nurse: Incorporates the values and standards of the nursing profession in practice.