The Department of Nursing

Mission Statement

The Department of Nursing promotes the mission of Shawnee State University and the profession of nursing through its primary purpose—education of the student to practice as a provider of care, coordinator of care, and member of the profession in the current and future health care system.  The Department supports this mission by adhering to the philosophy of the Department and through the instrument of curriculum, which implies responsibility for development, implementation, and revision.  Faculty endeavor to assist the student in the development of self, critical thinking and skills to enhance function of the graduate who will contribute to both the profession and society.

History of Nursing at Shawnee State University

For over 30 years, the ADN program has graduated quality nurses who have assumed multiple roles in the health care facilities in the community, region, and across the nation.

Shawnee State’s Associate Degree Nursing Program began in 1969 at the Ohio University, Portsmouth Campus.  Then in 1975, a merger of the Ohio University, Portsmouth Campus and Scioto Technical College occurred which resulted in the creation of Shawnee State General and Technical College. Two years later in 1977, Shawnee State General and Technical College became Shawnee State Community College.  After a nine-year period, in 1986, an act of the legislature created what is currently Shawnee State University.

Since 1979, Shawnee’s Associate Degree Nursing Program has had full Ohio Board of Nursing Approval.  Over the years, the ADN Program has become well known throughout the tri-state area for the quality of its graduates.  In recognition of this quality, the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission granted NLNAC Accreditation to the AD Nursing Program in the fall of 2001. 

Philosophy

The Philosophy of the faculty of the Department of Nursing at Shawnee State University reflects the University mission and operationalizes its goals.  The faculty values nursing education as the general education, liberal arts and nursing curricula.  The faculty believes learning is a lifelong, personal, technical, and professional development process.  Individual learning styles and needs including self motivated and directed learning is valued.  The faculty strive for excellence in teaching by using diverse and creative teaching strategies, emphasizing the art, science, and spirit of nursing.

The faculty believe that nursing is a dynamic profession, enriched by the traditions of the past and challenged by profound changes in society and health care.  Nursing is the process of facilitating individuals, families, and/or aggregates in meeting basic human needs, achieving or maintaining a desired state of health, and recognizing the integrated holistic being.  Nurses are health care advocates, coordinators of care, leaders and collaborators technically and professionally educated, legally and ethically accountable.

The faculty believe the baccalaureate nurse is educated with a theoretical base and technical expertise to practice the professional roles of manager/leader, change agent, collaborator, educator, and consumer of research.  Baccalaureate nurses are educated for practice in all health care settings with an emphasis on development of community based knowledge and decision making.

We believe the client is increasingly mobile resulting in changing family structures and/or support systems.  The client is considered to be the individual, family, aggregate, and community.  The client in in constant interaction with a changing environment, that influences development and life experiences and requires adaptation.  The client has inherent human needs across the life span and has a right to direct self care based upon beliefs and values.

Society is comprised of social systems organized for the protection, education, enculturation and welfare of it’s members.  Individuals and families form aggregates/populations/communities based on geography, common goals, and concerns.  Communication among family, and multidisciplinary groups of society is essential.  Additionally, health care and societal norms are rapidly changing, increasing the complexity of knowledge and skill required by nurses to fulfill roles within a dynamic health delivery system.