Nursing (inSpire)

Overview

American Association of Colleges of Nursing states there are "9 essentials" as outcomes expected of BSN Nursing graduates; Bluefield College embraces all the essentials. First and foremost, a solid foundation in liberal education provides the cornerstone of professional practice and education. As a nurse generalist, the graduate is prepared to practice with patients who are individuals, groups, families, communities, and popluations across the lifespan and in any health care environment.

The additional 7 essentials include:

1. knowledge and skills in leadership, quality improvement and patient safety, are necessary to provide high quality health care;

2. professional nursing practice is grounded in the translation of current evidence into professional practice;

3. knowledge and skills in information management and patient care technology are critical in the delivery of quality patient care;

4. health care policies, including financial and regulatory, influence the nature and functioning of healthcare systems and are important considerations;

5. communications and collaboration among healthcare professionals are critical to delivering high quality and safe patient care;

6. health promotion and disease prevention at the individual and population level are necessary to improve population health; and

7. professionalism and the inherent values of altruism, autonomy, human dignity, integrity and social justice are fundamental to the discipline of nursing.

Graduates

The expected outcomes of graduates of the RN BSN program include the ability to:

• Integrate evidenced-based knowledge from nursing, the performing & fine arts, humanities including theology, mathematical sciences, life sciences, & social sciences in implementing the practice of holistic, caring professional nursing.

• Demonstrate skills in critical thinking, decision making, & the nursing process with individuals, families, groups, communities, & populations.

• Demonstrate competence in implementing the nursing roles as designers of care, coordinators of care, & managers of care in a variety of health care settings.

• Empower individuals to function at their highest level of ability through caring, respect, mutual goal setting, advocacy, & education.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary members regarding patient wellness, health promotion, illness, disease management, restoration & palliative & end-of-life care across the life span at individual & population levels.

• Employ effective communications, technologies & information management skills (listening, verbal, nonverbal, technology, & written) to deliver safe, quality patient care working with diverse cultures.

• Demonstrate leadership skills in coordinating & delegating care using quality improvement delivery outcome measures.

• Incorporate professional values, roles, responsibilities, code of ethics & standards into professional nursing practice.  

• Accept personal accountability & responsibility for pursuing practice excellence, lifelong learning & the advancement of the profession.