Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

ErinS, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2011

This is my school's conceptual framework- particularly the career ladder paragraph. We have visual model of this, but it is not accessible online. Hope this helps.

School of Nursing Mission

The Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions School of Nursing mission statement not only supports the mission of the University and the College, it is unique unto Nursing. The School’s mission is to prepare nurses at the practical, associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree levels while offering an academic setting wherein excellence, global awareness, and diversity are core values. To achieve this mission the School of Nursing prepares graduates who will competently practice nursing within a complex local, national, and international environment, understand the significance of evolving healthcare technology, and apply both professional and ethical principles with sensitivity to the diverse needs of individuals, groups, and communities.

School of Nursing Philosophy and Framework

The WSU nursing faculty articulates a philosophy for the School of Nursing that is consistent with that of Weber State University (WSU) and the Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions (DCHP). The philosophy statements define the faculty’s core values as they relate to professional nursing education and practice. These core values include: excellence in nursing education and practice; respect for self and the diversity found within others; the creation of an inclusive environment in which students can learn the practice of nursing; organizational and personal accountability; and the promotion of a learning and nursing practice environment that exhibits integrity in both choice and action.

WSU School of Nursing Career Ladder Model

Meeting the complex healthcare needs of a global society requires varying patterns and levels of nursing education and practice. The WSU School of Nursing’s approach to nursing education offers four separate but coordinated levels of study: Practical Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing, Baccalaureate Nursing, and Master’s of Science Nursing. Each level of the Program prepares the graduate to either practice nursing or provide leadership within increasingly complex roles and broader levels of autonomy. This progression model, or career-ladder nursing education model, affords the nursing student, each with a unique set of life challenges, the opportunity to engage in life-long learning and expand within his or her professional, cultural, personal, and social roles.

Program Outcomes

Program outcomes are developed as performance indicators that give evidence the WSU nursing program is meeting the mission and goals set by faculty. Documentation of outcomes shows the effectiveness of the educational program and serves to guide maintenance and revision of components of the program. Program outcomes have been developed using the National League of Nursing Accrediting Council (NLNAC) criteria as guidelines.

Outcomes are consistent across nursing units with leveling statements that show the progression of students through practical nursing to associate’s degree nursing to bachelor’s degree nursing. Outcomes are consistent with the mission and philosophy of WSU, the Dr. Ezekiel R. Dumke College of Health Professions and the nursing program. At the completion of their program of learning, the graduate will:

Outcome No. 1: Students will progress to graduation in a timely manner as identified by program policy. Graduates will be educated to be nurse generalists who are prepared to be employed in diverse health care setting at the appropriate level of education: PN, ADN, or BSN.

Outcome No. 2: Students will successfully pass the PN-NCLEX and the RN-NCLEX at or above the Utah State Board of Nursing and NLNAC established benchmark pass rate.

Outcome No. 3: PN, ADN, and BSN program graduates, seeking such employment, will be employed in a health care setting within 6 months of graduation.

Outcome No. 4: Students and graduates will be satisfied that the program of learning provides qualified faculty; adequate resources to meet educational mission; adequate clinical facilities to provide sufficient learning experiences; and the means to increase student skills in critical/creative thinking, communication, and therapeutic nursing interventions. Employers will be satisfied that the program of learning prepares PN, ADN and BSN graduates to practice nursing at the appropriate level of preparation following graduation.