The School of Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University integrates the
liberal arts and professional education, and is committed to three
areas of responsibility for nursing education: (1) the preparation of
baccalaureate nurse generalists for the roles of provider of direct and
indirect care, designer, manager and coordinator of that care, and a
member of a profession; (2) graduate preparation of professional nurses
for the roles of advanced practitioner, leader, and scholar and as a
foundation for doctoral studies; and (3) professional development of
nurses through continuing educational opportunities.
The Philosophy of the School of Nursing is guided by the mission and
goals of Pacific Lutheran University and the mission of the School of
Nursing. The university’s mission is to develop knowledgeable
individuals with an understanding of the human condition, an awareness
of humane and spiritual values, and an ability to formulate and express
ideas clearly and effectively. The university strives to empower its
students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership, and care
for persons, the community, and the Earth. The School of Nursing
faculty fully embraces these concepts and further hold beliefs about
nursing, persons, environment, and health which direct the development
of programs and guide the educational process.
Nursing is an intellectual discipline that is both an art and a
science. It is a profession rooted in service. Caring is the essence of
nursing and the unifying focus for its knowledge, theory, and research.
Guided by caring, nurses deliver humanistic health care in and across
all environments to all persons - individuals, families, and
communities. Built on a liberal arts education, nursing draws on the
competencies, knowledge, and values that are needed to ensure that all
persons achieve clinical, functional, adaptive, and eudemonistic
health, or well being. As the context and scope of nursing practice
changes, the role of the nurse continues to develop. Inherent in this
role is the responsibility for political and social activism.
Persons are individuals, families, and communities, and have
inherent dignity and worth. Each has physical, psychological, social,
cultural, and spiritual dimensions, and is more than the sum of these
parts. Their life experiences are influenced by their environments and
their potential to exercise free will.
Environment is integral to, and inseparable from person,
consisting of both internal and external realms of influence. Persons
can optimize their health by making choices based on their
understanding of environment. Environment includes the political,
technological, economic, social, and cultural dimensions that are
reflected in the health care delivery system.
Health and well being are defined by all persons within the
constructs of the environment in which they live. The harmonious
interconnectedness of the physical, psychological, social, cultural,
and spiritual dimensions of the person is necessary to achieve
clinical, functional, adaptive, and eudemonistic health or well being.
All persons have the right to access to health care and to participate
in decisions affecting their health, quality of life, and death.
Education is a life-long process of reflection, intellectual
challenge, and practice. Learning occurs in the context of relevant
situations with thoughtful contemplation, and is most likely to occur
where learners are self-motivated, active participants who accept
responsibility for learning. Nursing education facilitates the learning
process through the use of strategies that encourage creativity and
critical thinking. A supportive environment for nursing education is
one of caring in which all persons are respected, trusted, and
nurtured. Through education, the faculty endeavor to develop and
enhance learners’ individual growth, professional practice, and social
responsibility and leadership in increasingly complex health care
environments.