Mission & Philosophy
Mission Statement
Preparing nurse leaders for excellence today and tomorrow
 Statement of Philosophy
The philosophy of the College of Nursing is consistent with the goals and mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. The College philosophy focuses upon the nature of the PERSON, ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, and NURSING.
The faculty believes that the PERSON is a unique integrated being that is continuously evolving. Each person has the right to participate in making decisions that affect his/her health and to accept or refuse health care within the context of safety to society.
The faculty views ENVIRONMENT as all conditions influencing the life and development of the person. The health of individuals, families, communities, and populations is affected by these conditions.
HEALTH is viewed as a dynamic state arising from a process of continuous change in the person and environment. The faculty views the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health as a complex phenomenon involving the shared responsibility of the person, health care providers, and society. Faculty view nursing as stated in the second edition of Nursing’s Social Policy Statement (ANA, 2003), “NURSING is the protection, promotion and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations”. Nursing must provide leadership in influencing the organizational, social, economic, legal, and political factors within the healthcare system and society. “These and other factors affect the cost, access to, and quality of health care and the vitality of the nursing profession”.
Professional nursing is a science and an art. The science of nursing requires that nurses study, explore, and research nursing and related knowledge areas. From these areas nurses develop and test nursing theories for the improvement of nursing practice and health care. The art of nursing requires that nurses use knowledge gained from the humanities, arts, and sciences as the foundation for acceptance and appreciation of clients’ values. Nursing care requires sensitivity as well as critical, logical, and analytical thinking to effect changes in clients and the health care system.
EDUCATION for professional nursing practice includes a sound theoretical knowledge base to support experiential learning. The faculty believes that the educational process facilitates continuing personal and professional growth. The intent of the educational programs is to focus on the learner with active participation of the student in the learning process. Education is a life-long process with the commitment of the learner to establish patterns of continued inquiry.
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