University of Alabama - Huntsville (College of Nursing)
The College of Nursing offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing, a Post-Master's Family Nurse Practitioner Certificate, and a Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education. The faculty of the College of Nursing believe that a baccalaureate education in nursing provides the basis for entry into professional nursing practice. The baccalaureate graduate is prepared as a generalist capable of functioning in a variety of roles and health care systems. Registered nurse students have an opportunity to synthesize prior nursing experience with new knowledge. The baccalaureate program is composed of a two-year upper division major, that builds on two years of science, liberal arts, and humanities. A broad array of knowledge and experience essential in the preparation of the professional nurse at the baccalaureate level is provided in all upper division coursework and clinical experiences. Consistent with the philosophy of progressive learning, students focus on health promotion, illness prevention, and adaptation with clients experiencing varying degrees of health. Health promotion, maintenance and restoration are emphasized throughout the program.
The faculty believe that nursing is both an art and a science focusing on health for individuals, families and communities. The baccalaureate program is designed to prepare professional nurses to use expert communication skills as they establish a relationship based on respect and the uniqueness of the individual; critical thinking skills in the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness, and therapeutic interventions designed to assist in achievement of optimal health.
Throughout the curriculum, students are guided to utilize and build upon the theory base for nursing practice. The undergraduate program is designed to contribute to the personal and intellectual development of students and to assist them in preparing for continued education and successful professional careers. Students engage in classroom learning and clinical experiences that focus on the current health needs of diverse populations.
The College of Nursing is dedicated to excellence in teaching, practice, scholarship, and service. Faculty have the responsibility to educate students of nursing as well as to provide continuing education, to engage in scholarly activities that will develop and extend the discipline of nursing, and to provide service to the nursing profession, the community, and the academic environment in which nursing study resides.
MISSION
The fundamental purpose of the College of Nursing is to prepare clinically excellent baccalaureate and master’s level nurses to deliver health care services to a culturally diverse population within a variety of health care settings. Our graduates practice as professionals, able to utilize critical thinking skills for therapeutic interventions, disease prevention and health promotion. The graduate, undergraduate and continuing education programs provide opportunities for participation in collegial, interdisciplinary learning activities that promote intellectual development and life-long learning. In support of the mission of the university, the College of Nursing, through its graduates, faculty activities, and programs, contributes to the health and well-being of the community.
PHILOSOPHY
The College of Nursing Faculty believes that nursing is both an art and a science. We believe nursing focuses on holistic health and wellness among individuals, families, and communities in the context of cultural, environmental, and spiritual diversity. The College promotes nursing knowledge through teaching, research, and service. The diversity and complexity of changing health care systems requires critical thinking and life-long learning. Nursing Education is within a broad theoretical and research based curriculum to address health care issues for individuals or groups with emphasis on delivery systems or health promotion and disease prevention. Implicit in this is an understanding and appreciation of human diversity in health and wellness. The faculty serve as facilitators and models of competence in nursing practice. We are dedicated to advancing the art and science of nursing. We participate in teaching, research, and service to our students and community. We maintain the advancement of new knowledge through research.
HISTORY
UAH is the only institution offering both undergraduate and graduate nursing programs in north Alabama and is committed to becoming the regional center for research activities in nursing. The School of Nursing was established by act of the Alabama Legislature in 1971. The School was designated a College of Nursing in 1987.
Dr. Kathryn Crossland, the first Dean, was appointed in September, 1971, and the first students were admitted to the professional nursing curriculum for the fall of 1972. Thirty-six students were graduated in 1974. That same year the School of Nursing baccalaureate program was granted initial accreditation by the National League for Nursing. The Master of Science in Nursing degree was approved by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama System in 1978. The first students were graduated in 1980 and the program received initial accreditation from the National League for Nursing in 1982. The program initially prepared graduates as specialists in family nursing. A major curriculum revision, begun in 1980, resulted in the development of a two track option: Adult Acute Care and Family Nurse Practitioner. A third track in Home Health Care Administration was added in 1988. In the fall of 1995, that track was modified to become a broader Nursing Administration track. The track was revised again in 2005 and is now the Leadership in Health Care System. This track is offered online with two, three-day residencies scheduled at the beginning of each fall semester. An Acute Care Nurse Practitioner track was added in 1994 and the Adult Acute Care track was modified and updated in 1998 resulting in an Adult Health Clinical Specialist track. A Post-Master’s Family Nurse Practitioner Program was initiated in 1994. A certificate program in Nursing Education was begun in 2003. Through May, 2005, the College has awarded 2720 bachelor’s degrees and 452 master’s degrees.
The College is housed in a centrally located building that was first occupied in 1976. The four-story structure houses state-of-the-art equipment, lecture rooms, distance learning classrooms and laboratories for teaching nursing. The building also contains faculty and administrative offices as well as offices, lounges, and study areas for student support. The unique design of the College of Nursing building promotes interaction among faculty and students and it supports the concept of a dynamic open system that is reflected in the philosophy of the programs of the College. The building is in close proximity to the Library, the University Center and other academic buildings, providing opportunities for faculty, staff and students to be an integral part of the University community.
School name: University of Alabama - Huntsville (College of Nursing)
Address: 301 Sparkman Dr.
Zip & city: AL 35899 Huntsville
Phone: (256)824-6742
Web: http://onlinenurse.nb.uah.edu/
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Nursing schools