SCHOOL OF NURSING AND HEALTH CARE - lEW YORK STATE - ',OllEGE of CERAMICS

SCHOOL OF NURSING

INTRODUCTION

Man's relationship to his environment physical, biological, and psychosocial - gives rise to health problems with which the nurse is concerned.

Courses in the basic sciences and social sciences are studied prior to and concurrent with nursing in order for the student to better understand this relationship.

In the freshman and sophomore years, the student learns to care for individuals and families in the beginning nursing courses, incorporating concepts learned in the basic sciences. During the sophomore and junior years, the student develops skills in dealing with individuals and groups who exhibit more complex nursing problems and those who exhibit multiple problems, both biological and psychosocial. Within this context both rural and urban health problems are identified and compared.

A unique learning experience is offered to students on the Mobile Health Unit, which makes health assessment and health education readily available to county residents. This project, initiated in October 1972, in response to severe health needs in the area is staffed by Allegany County Public Health Nurses and students from the School of Nursing and Health Care under faculty supervision.

The problem-solving process is utilized. The student identifies health problems of the individual and the community, plans a course of action utilizing concepts from basic sciences as well as from nursing, implements the plan and then ultimately learns how to make appropriate modifications based upon evaluation of the progress.

The student will gain most of her educational experience in a rural setting because Alfred is located in a rural area. This setting is one in which the total family unit can be studied very effectively. The student then can move to an urban setting to study the resources available there, At the same time the student may also be able to observe effects of separation that occur when individuals from rural areas must go to urban areas to seek health supervision and medical treatment. The student thus will be able to compare rural and urban settings in terms of available resources and types of health problems.

PHILOSOPHY

Alfred University's philosophical ideals are reflected in its concern for the student. The University believes that each student should have opportunities to participate in study and social life with students, faculty and others from varied educationaL religiOUS, political and ethnic backgrounds. Freedom to search for answers to problems of learning and living with regard solely for truth is a basic tenet. The University meets the challenge of societal changes through implementation of realistic innovations. The faculty of the School of Nursing and Health Care, as an integral part of Alfred University, accepts

and contributes to the fulfillment of these beliefs. It believes, furthermore, that a democratic milieu is essential for engagement in the learning process, that freedom of inquiry is a right and responsibility, and that self-direction is a quality necessary for the full development of the individual's potential.

Nursing is concerned with delivery of health services. The nurse helps people to maintain optimum health to whatever degree is possible for them, and assists people to meet the problems of life and death associated with health needs. She encourages people to retain their dignity as individuals when they are overwhelmed by health problems.

The roots of nursing lie in the relationship of man to his environment -physical, biological and psychosocial. It is this relationship which must be understood before the nurse can successfully minister to those in need of nursing services. Thus the nursing curriculum is built upon beginning courses in the sciences and humanities with advanced courses being taught concurrent to the nursing major.

Alfred University, in its rural setting, is surrounded by a community with health needs -typifying the predicament of the deprived found both in rural

and urban areas. The University has a responsibility to the community from which it evolves. As one means of fulfilling this responsibility, the School of Nursing and Health Care is becoming actively involved in the rural community, and assists the student in vi~ualizing nursing as a means of contributing to the solution of rural health problems.

The student then investigates resources in the urban area, thus relating commonalities and differences within both contexts. Throughout the program the family-centered approach is emphasized.

The faculty believes that a responsibility of nursing education continues to be the preparation of nurses who will give safe, competent care to individuals and families. This care is planned to meet physiological, social, and emotional needs.

The student is helped to understand himself and others, so that he may identify and comprehend the needs and behavior of people. He is helped to understand the world in which he and his patients live and the social and cultural forces which influence individuals and groups.

The School of Nursing and Health Care gives the student guidance to prepare him for his role in this society not only as a professional practitioner, but also as a person and a citizen. Clinical experience affords learning experiences and practice in the application of the principles of health teaching and leadership so that he may intelligently direct members of the nursing team.

The student also has the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the health team.

The student learns to regard nursing as a means of helping to solve health 116

problems. The student studies the health problems of the area, learning how to best meet the needs of individuals and families through planning care, im- plementing his plan of care, evaluating the results and then modifying his plan when necessary. This process is gradually developed throughout the curriculum.

He learns to relate his knowledge to a variety of settings in the community including: a nursing home, family-centered rehabilitation unit, public health agencies and in-patient institutions.

Nursing is not a static profession, but is affected by economic, sociological and scientific forces. Thus, the student must prepare himself for the realities of change in the social and scientific milieus of practice and participate in utilizing these changes to improve the practice of nursing. He becomes self- motivating and self-directing both in practice and in the acquisition of knowledge for the purpose of instituting change.

The educational program of the School of Nursing and Health Care enables men and women to develop the understandings and technical skills necessary for the practice of nursing at a beginning professional level wherever nursing is needed. The student should be helped to grow as a person and as a professional in today's world with vision for the future. The program is aimed at developing a serious, creative student who has a commitment to his chosen work as he attains these understandings and skills.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the school is to prepare a graduate nurse who:

1. has a commitment to society to help in finding solutions to its problems and a commitment to himself as an individual to determine his personal philosophy.

2. has acquired through study of the liberal arts and nursing the knowledge, skill, insight, and judgment to practice as a professional nurse at a beginning level.

3. has a foundation for continued learning and post-baccalaureate study.

The course of study leads to a bachelor of science degree with a major in nursing and qualifies the individual to sit for examination for licensure as a registered professional nurse.

OBJECTIVES

It is expected that the graduate of the Alfred University School of Nursing and Health Care will:

1. Identify, plan, implement, and evaluate individual nursing care based on each patient's needs, both physical and emotional, in giving direct car~

to a patient or groups of patients in a variety of settings.

2. Involve the patient and/or family in the plan of care through teaching and assisting them to become as independent as possible.

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3. Plan cooperatively with other members of the health team in assisting people to obtain and maintain health care.

4. Assume responsibility for the leadership role, recognizing the need for change and initiating change where indicated.

5. Recognize the major health problems of the community and have the knowledge and the tools which will enable him to participate as a professional nurse in meeting these needs.

6. Select appropria te principles and concepts from the biological, psychosocial, and physical sciences and demonstrate critical judgment in applying these in the practice of nursing.

7. Seek answers to current problems in the practice of nursing in using appropriate new knowledge in the research of nursing and related fields.

B. Assume responsibility for his actions as an individual and as a professional in a dynamic and changing society.

9. Recognize the need for continuing education both formal and informal to further personal and professional development.

10. Be able to evaluate self and others realistically in order to further personal and professional growth.

PROGRAM

The program provides educational experiences in liberal arts as well as professional nursing studies. The freshman, sophomore, and senior years are spent on the Alfred campus. The junior year is devoted to clinical experience of the nursing major, planned in selected health agencies.

While students of nursing are on campus they are an integral part of Univer- sity life. They live in University residences, sharing experiences with other University students who have varied interests and talents. Campus life includes cultural opportunities, athletic activities, and social functions, in which students of nursing are encouraged to participate.

Students also enjoy cultural programs off campus. Many cultural and educational programs are sponsored by community and university groups in Roch- ester. To help each student take advantage of these opportunities a schedule is planned by a student-faculty committee so that each student attends several functions during the school year. He may select from outstanding theater,..musi- cal performances, and lectures those experiences which have spe£ial interest for him. These aspects of living are considered important in developing per- sonality and poise.

The emphasis on liberal arts in the nursing curriculum is a source of strength providing the student wi th scien tific and humanistic, liberal concepts basic to both personal and professional development. The program of the senior year is planned to help give perspective to the entire curriculum as well as provide an opportunity for the individual student to select some courses on

the basis of his special interests and goals.

All library, laboratory, and classroom facilifies of Alfred University are available to students in the School of Nursing and Health Care. Selected library materials are maintained in each area of clinical study.

A Bachelor of Science degree is awarded to the graduate of this baccalaureate program. The faculty works continuously to improve the curriculum.

Therefore, the course of study is subject to change as progress is achieved.

In addition, students may use their electives to meet the specific require- ments for positions in School Nurse Teaching or management of certain health Care faciH ties.

Curriculum Model

Freshman Year-Total Courses: 7 (Nursing Courses: 1)

Semester 1 Semester 11

Nursing 100 ... Half Nursing 101 ... Half Biology 101 . . . Full Biology 114 ... Full Psychology 210 . . . Full Chemistry 103 ... Full

*English or Sociology 110 ... Full 'English or SOciology 110 ... Full

Total 3Vz Full Total 3~ Full

Sophomore Year-Total Courses: 8Vz (Nursing Courses: 3)

Semester 1 Semester II

Nursing 200 . . . Full Nursing 202 ... Full Nursing 201 ... Half Nursing 203 ... Half Nutrition 108 ... Full Biology 215 . . . Full Biology 224 . . . Full Anthropology 200 ... Full Psychology 260 ... Full Sociology 230 ... Half

Total 4Vz Full Total 4 Full

Junior Year-Total Courses: 8 (Nursing Courses: 8) ON URBAN CAMPUS NurSing 300 . . . Full Nursing 330 ... Full