Purpose
The Nursing Department at Meredith College is dedicated to fostering the growth and development of compassionate, competent, and socially responsible nurses. The purpose of the Nursing Department is to prepare generalist nurses who, grounded in a strong liberal arts preparation, will deliver high-quality, compassionate care, advocate for health equity, and embrace innovations in healthcare to improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Graduates will be eligible to apply for licensure as a registered nurse and be prepared to practice across a variety of settings and organizations.
Philosophy
At Meredith College, the Nursing Department is guided by a philosophy rooted in excellence, compassion, and innovation. Our philosophy reflects our commitment to preparing nursing professionals who are not only highly skilled clinicians but also ethical leaders, advocates for health equity, and lifelong learners dedicated to advancing the nursing profession and improving patient outcomes.
Commitment to Excellence
We believe in upholding the highest standards of excellence in nursing education, practice, and scholarship. Our faculty are dedicated to providing a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that integrates evidence-based practice, clinical judgment, and skills to prepare students for the dynamic and complex healthcare environment.
Nursing, Patient, Environment, and Health
Our philosophy acknowledges the interconnectedness of nursing, the patient, the environment, and health. We understand that nursing care is not limited to the individual patient but extends to the broader context in which health is situated. Nurses play a vital role in promoting health and well-being by considering the physical, social, cultural, and environmental factors that influence health outcomes. By recognizing the dynamic interplay between the patient, their environment, and their health status, we prepare our students to provide holistic, evidence-based care that addresses the complex needs of individuals, families, and communities.
Culture of Compassion
Central to our philosophy is the belief that nursing is inherently a compassionate, caring, and humanistic profession. We emphasize the importance of empathy, respect, and cultural sensitivity in our interactions with patients, families, and communities. Through clinical experiences and community-engaged learning, we cultivate a deep understanding of the holistic needs of individuals and a commitment to providing care that respects the dignity and autonomy of every individual, family, and community.
Promoting Health Equity
We recognize the vital impact of social determinants on health and the existing disparities in health outcomes for underserved and vulnerable populations. As advocates for health equity, we empower students to address systemic barriers to health and promote social justice. Through education, research, and community engagement, we aim to reduce health inequities and improve access to quality healthcare for all individuals, regardless of identity, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, rurality, or other factors.
Embracing Technology and Innovation
In an evolving healthcare landscape, we embrace innovation and technological advancements that enhance patient care and nursing practice. We encourage our students to be adaptable and open-minded, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to leverage emerging technologies, evidence-based interventions, and interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize health outcomes and improve healthcare delivery.
Nurturing of Leadership and Scholarship
We are committed to nurturing the development of nurse leaders who will shape the future of healthcare. Through mentorship, professional development, and engagement in scholarly inquiry, we empower our students to become advocates for change, innovators in practice, and leaders in their communities. We instill in them a commitment to lifelong learning, continuous improvement, and the pursuit of excellence in nursing.
Program Outcomes
- Integrate evidence-based knowledge from nursing with theories and concepts from liberal education, including the humanities and behavioral, mathematical, natural, and physical sciences into the practice of professional nursing.
- Incorporate critical thinking skills in autonomous decision-making and effective therapeutic communication in the application of the nursing process with individuals, families, groups, and communities.
- Practice professional nursing competently in the roles of advocate, clinician, coordinator/collaborator, educator, leader, and consumer of research in a variety of healthcare settings to promote quality improvement and patient safety.
- Facilitate therapeutic, caring, and interprofessional collaborative relationships with clients and members of interdisciplinary health teams through effective interpersonal, oral, written, and emerging technology and communication strategies.
- Integrate knowledge of leadership/management/administrative and information technology skills and health care policies in providing direct and indirect care to clients.
- Provide comprehensive, culturally competent client-centered care to promote, restore, and maintain the maximum health potential of individuals, families, groups, and communities across the lifespan while promoting health care literacy.
- Assume accountability and responsibility for personal and professional growth through commitment to participation in servant leader activities, continuous self-evaluation, and lifelong learning.
- Incorporate professional values, professional standards, and ethical, moral, and legal aspects of health care into nursing practice to promote advocacy, collaboration, and social justice.
- Incorporate knowledge and transformational leadership skills related to system management into personal responsiveness to the healthcare needs of the region, the state, the nation, and the global society.
Contact Information
Michelle Hartman
Director, Meredith’s Nursing Program
241 Science and Mathematics Building
nursing@meredith.edu
(919) 760-8314
