Patient is defined as an individual, their support groups, and/or any group participating in and/or receiving nursing care. Each patient is viewed holistically through their dynamic components [physiological, psychological, cultural, ethnic, developmental, and spiritual] and is worthy of respect and concern and has a right to self-determination in meeting their needs. The patient must be included in the decision-making process.
The environment has internal and external components, which are constantly changing. The internal environment consists of cognitive, developmental, physiological, and psychological processes, while the external environment consists of the physical and social world. The dynamics of the internal and external environments constantly affect the patient’s ability to adapt and to maintain homeostasis.
Health is regarded as a state of equilibrium on a wellness-to-illness continuum. Individual health practices impact the value and meaning of health as determined by culture and society. Wellness is identified as successful management of multiple stresses from internal and external environments. Illness results when the bio-psycho-social system is disrupted. The patient’s ability to cope with illness is influenced by how successfully they are able to adapt within the health care environment. The perception of wellness to illness is a highly individualized process, which is influenced by the patient’s health beliefs and health behaviors.
Nursing is an interactive process that applies problem-solving interventions to meet the needs of the patient. Nursing facilitates the wellness-illness continuum supporting opportunities for the patient to achieve their optimal health/wellness. Nursing’s purpose is to assist the person/patient in maintaining health, preventing, or minimizing disease and disability, rehabilitating, and restoring wellness, and providing comfort and dignity in death.
Education is a process involving active participation of both the student and the instructor. Nursing education blends the art and the science of nursing as well as integrating concepts from support courses and required prerequisite courses. Nursing education progresses from simple (basic) to complex and from normal to abnormal. It is a complex collaborative process that includes the teaching-learning of theoretical concepts, clinical skills and attitudes that prepares graduates for competent practice. Associate degree nursing education represents the entry level of professional nursing.
Students possess unique individual qualities that reflect their cultural and ethnic diversity, goals, and learning styles. In addition, differences in age, life experiences, support systems, education, and economic resources influence the students' learning processes. The cognitive skills essential to the learning process in nursing education include analysis, synthesis, and the ability to transfer learning. Students are empowered to become self-motivated, independent critical thinkers who accept personal accountability and responsibility in the learning process.
FCC nursing faculty facilitate learning by directing, providing opportunity, and assisting students with the acquisition of knowledge and the mastery of clinical skills. They respect the differences unique to each student’s ethnic, cultural, spiritual, and learning needs.
FCC nursing faculty believe that students will learn best when learning goals are perceived as immediately useful and realistic as well as important and relevant to a person's personal, professional and career needs. They are committed to the goal of graduating individuals who will function safely and efficiently as registered nurses in the health care community.
