School of Nursing
The University of Portland School of Nursing inspires nurse leaders and other healthcare professionals of the future through academic excellence to create systems and environments that support optimal holistic health and wellness. The School of Nursing offers baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral degrees.
The School of Nursing is nationally accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (C.C.N.E.). Additionally, the School of Nursing programs are approved by the Oregon State Board of Nursing. The School of Nursing belongs to the Western Institute of Nursing Research (W.I.N.), the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (A.A.C.N.), and the National League for Nursing (N.L.N.).
The bachelor of science in nursing (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 (N.C.L.E.X.-R.N.), a requirement in all states to obtain professional registered nurse (R.N.) licensure.
The R.N. to B.S.N. curriculum prepares associate-degree-R.N.s with the knowledge and skills to enhance nursing practice to the baccalaureate level. This innovative program brings faculty to the organization to support nurses' learning and application of new knowledge directly to the clinical setting and patient population. Focus areas include quality improvement, evidence-based practice, community and population-health, leadership, health policy, and health informatics.
The doctorate of nursing practice-family nurse practitioner (D.N.P.-F.N.P.) curriculum prepares graduates to sit for the F.N.P. certification exam. The D.N.P. degree is a practice-focus degree with emphasis on a scientific foundation for guiding nursing practice, improving care delivery models, influencing health policy, leading organizations and systems, and engaging in the scholarship of application. The D.N.P. program prepares the registered nurse who has a bachelor of science in nursing degree to assume the advanced practice role of a family nurse practitioner. Registered nurses who currently are nurse practitioners retain their specialty and earn the doctoral degree.
Mission
The University of Portland School of Nursing educates leaders of the future through innovative learning and engagement that enriches the culture of healthcare to promote holistic health and wellness of the population. Faculty, staff, and students are accountable for fostering a spirit of discovery and creating an environment that cultivates lifelong learning and self-care.
Vision
The University of Portland School of Nursing creates positive change in healthcare through academic excellence to improve the health of society.
Values
The University of Portland School of Nursing upholds the core values of social justice, academic excellence, integrity, and compassion. We believe that our graduates serve as the inspiration for healthcare teams to support individuals, families and communities in transforming systems to attain optimal health and wellness.
B.S.N. 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 in a holistic framework. 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 of study prepares graduates to become:
- 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.
R.N. to B.S.N. Program Outcomes
The R.N. to B.S.N. program of study prepares nurses to:
- Provide safe, high-quality nursing care to individuals.
- Deliver holistic nursing care to populations across a healthcare continuum.
- Contribute to the nursing profession.
- Improve healthcare delivery across the continuum of care.
- Create and support healthy work environments.