The mission of the Nursing Department is to prepare students for state licensure eligibility and to obtain entry-level positions with an opportunity for career advancement.

The Associate Degree Nursing Program at Stanton Campus provides multiple learning opportunities through a balance of general education courses, nursing courses and supervised clinical practice. The graduate is prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and to function as a beginning practitioner within a variety of health care settings.

PHILOSOPHY

Consistent with the mission of Delaware Technical & Community College, the nursing faculty believes in the value of higher education as a means of economic and personal growth. The faculty is committed to students through the advancement of teaching and technology. They support diversity with an emphasis on respecting and caring for students as individuals.

NURSING PRACTICE: The nursing faculty believes that nursing practice is an evolving science and a unique caring art that promotes, maintains and restores health through communication with the individual, family and community. Nursing practice facilitates and promotes self-care contributing to the individual's attainment of optimal health.  The nurse demonstrates clinical competence which requires critical thinking, theoretical knowledge, communication, caring and professionalism. Nursing practice contributes to the individual's quality of life and promotes dignity in dying.

PRACTICE OF THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSE GRADUATE: The Associate Degree Nurse graduate cares for individuals in a variety of health care settings functioning as an integral member of the health care team. The Associate Degree nursing graduate functions in three distinct roles.  The core components and competencies of these roles were identified in the National League for Nursing’s publication Educational Competencies for Graduates of Associate Degree Nursing Programs (2000). As a provider of care, the graduate uses critical thinking, clinical competence and a commitment to the value of caring to assist individuals to restore and maintain optimal states of health or to support dignity in dying. Within the role of manager of care, the graduate is accountable and uses collaboration, organization and delegation through established policies, procedures and protocols. As a member within the discipline of nursing, the graduate displays professionalism while consistently acting as an advocate, respecting the uniqueness of each individual. The graduate is an active participant in the changing health care environment and is able to adapt to changes in the health care system. The graduate practices in a professional manner adhering to ethical and legal standards of nursing care and recognizes the need for continued education to promote clinical competence.

NURSING EDUCATION: The nursing faculty believes that education is a lifelong process. It is an interaction between the educator and the student and includes both teaching and learning. Teaching involves purposeful activity that builds on the learner's previous knowledge and experience. It results in a change in behavior through the development of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor abilities. Teaching is focused on guiding and assisting the learner to achieve goals. The learner’s goals are measured as graduate competencies.  Learning is the acquisition of knowledge, attitudes and skills through active participation by the learner. It is fostered in an atmosphere of caring and respect that provides for individual differences.