Purpose

The program is designed to meet the individual or diverse needs of men and women from a broad range of ages and backgrounds. The primary focus throughout the program is to promote caring attitudes and behaviors in the professional nurse. The curriculum is designed to provide a liberal and professional educational foundation essential for competent practice with ethical judgment, creative and critical thinking; for understanding a multicultural society within the context of individual needs and his/her environment; for utilizing nursing theory and research; for promoting personal and professional growth and for enhancing motivation for continuing education.

The graduate will be prepared at the baccalaureate level in nursing to function as a generalist who is able to utilize the nursing process in caring for a diverse, multicultural society in a variety of healthcare settings. The major roles the graduate will be prepared to assume are: direct provider, planner/coordinator, manager, and contributor to the nursing profession and health care team. The baccalaureate program is designed to prepare the graduate for professional nursing practice within the legal framework of the Illinois Nurse Practice Act.