Conceptual Framework

The curriculum design is based on a model in which the major concepts of Person, Environment, Health and Nursing form the foundation. The sub-concepts clarify the major concepts as they relate to the practice of nursing. The threads serve to guide the curriculum by ensuring that the common themes necessary for nursing practice are addressed throughout the seven quarters. The curriculum includes general and basic related courses that enable the student to analyze, select, and integrate appropriate theory into the practice of nursing. The clinical component of the curriculum provides opportunities for students to gain experience in a variety of acute care and community based settings.

The integration of physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual life components are inherent in the concept of Person as a holistic being. The development that occurs in these components over the lifespan from conception through death influences the Person’s health care behaviors and guides the management of nursing care.

The concept of Environment provides the structure for understanding those elements external to the person which affect health seeking behaviors. Individual and family relationships, the values and beliefs of one’s culture, and the resources available within the home and community encompass the person’s environment.

Health is viewed as varying levels of wellness that occur throughout the lifespan. Health promotion, maintenance, and restoration are integral parts of nursing. A person’s level of wellness, knowledge, and ability to participate in self-care activities determines health care needs.

Nursing is a nurturing, interpersonal, caring relationship that focuses on the person and the environment in the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health or provision of support through the dying process. The Associate Degree Nurse functions in the roles of provider of care and manager of care and as an integral member of the discipline of nursing.

The Nursing Process is the method used to form an organizational framework for providing and managing care.

In the role of manager of care, the Associate Degree Nurse promotes self-care behaviors. Self-care is the practice of activities that persons perform on their own behalf to maintain life, health, and well-being.

Communication is a dynamic interpersonal process utilizing verbal and nonverbal skills to share information. The nurse uses the communication skills of interviewing, counseling, negotiating, delegating, collaborating, documenting, and teaching in professional practice.

Critical thinking is a framework for problem solving by which a person can identify and analyze the assumptions underlying the actions, decisions, values and judgment of themselves and others.  As the student progresses through the nursing curriculum, critical thinking skills are developed to enhance logical reasoning in the application of biological, psychological and sociological sciences.

Health care economics or fiscal impact of health care is studied throughout the curriculum to enhance student awareness of the importance of economic factors that affect the availability of health care services and the ability to provide care in a cost-effective manner. 

Accountability is the responsibility of the student for practice which is within the legal and ethical boundaries of the profession.

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