College of Nursing and Health Professions
The College of Nursing and Health Professions (CONHP) is dedicated to providing quality education in health-related programs. The CONHP offers undergraduate majors in healthcare leadership and nursing. The baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, for both pre-licensure (BSN) and Registered Nurse (RN/BSN) students. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate nursing program, the graduate is awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, and the pre-licensure graduate is eligible to write the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Additionally, a master of science in nursing is offered with three concentrations, as is a joint MSN/MBA degree.
Philosophy
The philosophy of the College of Nursing and Health Professions is congruent with the Mission values of Lewis University: knowledge, fidelity, wisdom, justice and association. The College of Nursing and Health Professions faculty supports the development of healthcare professionals in their pursuit of life-long learning by providing undergraduate and graduate opportunities for liberal and professional education to a diverse student population. The faculty promotes Lasallian and Catholic values within an environment that fosters critical thinking, enlightenment, compassion and community in all teaching, learning and service. The faculty assists in the development of healthcare professionals who use their knowledge and skills to protect the rights of those in their care and advocate for the vulnerable and disenfranchised, and promote health and well-being.
Education is a life-long process. The educator and student, each with a rich background of diverse life experiences and learning styles, enter into a journey of learning. A climate of mutual inquiry, support and interdependence contributes to the exchange of knowledge and experience. The educator assumes the role of resource person, facilitator and co-learner with the student in a relationship based on acceptance, generosity, patience, humor and humility. The student actively participates in learning by creating, interpreting and reorganizing knowledge in search for truth. The Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Professions educational outcomes are based on a curricula and experiences that integrate the concepts of person, health, environment and healthcare professional.
The faculty believes a person is a unique, holistic child of God who must be treated with dignity and respect for the individual’s unique attributes. Persons can be defined as individuals, families, aggregates and communities. Diversity is recognized, valued and nurtured.
Health involves and is affected by all aspects of life – mind, body, spirit and environment. A major focus of healthcare is to support and promote a person’s capacity for health promotion, recovery and self-healing. Each person has the right to freely choose among approaches that are appropriately responsive to the unique attributes or perceived health needs.
The environment encompasses a complex intersection of time, space and thought. Each person, through one’s own uniqueness, defines and interacts with one’s own environment. The relationship of person with environment is non-linear, reciprocal and mutable.
The healthcare professional works independently and collaboratively, within a defined scope of practice and in a variety of settings. This professional is committed to maximizing health and quality of life from the person’s perspective. Professional ethics and values guide the professional who assumes accountability for actions within a professional relationship. Fundamental to the nature of the professional relationship is respect for individuality and preservation of dignity.