Philosophy
Nursing is an expression of the mission of the Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences to develop competent, caring, socially responsible healthcare practitioners. The nursing curriculum is influenced by beliefs held by the faculty about individuals, health, nursing, environment, and education. The curriculum reflects the integration of these elements and their applications in professional practice.

The individual is unique and versatile, possessing physiological, mental, emotional, sociocultural, and spiritual dimensions. The individual interacts holistically with the environment, is an active collaborator in healthcare and is responsible for personal life decisions affecting health.

Health is a dynamic state in which the whole individual objectively demonstrates a state of balance. it is influenced by personal values, societal norms, and scientific knowledge. Optimal health implies the achievement of the highest level of wellness throughout the life span.

Nursing is a healing art and an applied science. As a practice discipline, nursing creatively assists individuals, families, groups and communities to achieve or maintain health. Nursing care occurs in both traditional and nontraditional settings with clients from conception to death. The nurse is both a provider and coordinator of care, acting as manager, decision-maker, change agent, advocate and collaborator. Through the use of theory and research, professional standards and critical thinking, the nurse aspires to promote the profession of nursing and its contribution to society.

All interactions among individuals, health and nursing occur within the limitless boundaries of environment. Environment is the dynamic relationship of process internal and external to the individual. In addition, environment is the complex of physical, spiritual, social and cultural conditions, interrelating with individuals, families, groups and communities and, as such, differs for each individual.

Education empowers an individual to adapt to new experiences, to clarify values and to develop a global perspective on issues that impact humankind. Nursing education is a continuous process of change that stimulates personal and professional growth. Nursing education provides planned experiences for the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable the student to attain the competence necessary to function within the scope of professional nursing practice.

Learning is an ongoing process of growth that provides opportunities for self-direction and critical thinking and progresses from simple to complex. Critical thinking is the ability to reason and analyze multiple factors. It includes the integration of past experiences to reach a conclusion or take action in a specific situation. It reflects an attitude of inquiry and the coordination of concrete and abstract data. Learning is a cooperative process involving active participation by the student who assumes primary responsibility for self-development with guidance and direction from the faculty.

While responsibility for learning remains with the learner, the faculty recognizes that students enter the learning institution with diverse backgrounds, responsibilities and prior learning experiences. Teachers create an environment conducive for learning where these diverse perspectives are given voice.

The program offers students experiences that prepare them to provide comprehensive nursing care in a variety of practice settings. The graduate is empowered to confront the healthcare demands of a complex and technologically advanced society, facilitating the adaptation of clients throughout the life span.

Nurses plan and deliver care to meet the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of clients and families. To do this, they assume many roles. They provide direct care to clients, while observing, assessing, and recording symptoms. They make critical decisions about the needs of clients and work with physicians and other healthcare professionals to assure that these needs are met. They teach clients and their families about health promotion and disease prevention. From giving medications to giving emotional support, nurses care for the whole person, helping that person and the family to cope with illness and work toward health. They work in such diverse settings as hospitals, schools, homes, clinics, long-term care centers and workplaces.

Educational Outcomes
Graduates of the program:

• Practice as providers and coordinators of care, utilizing knowledge from the nursing arts, sciences and humanities.
• Utilize creative and critical thinking as a basis for professional practice.
• Demonstrate knowledge and respect for diversity and the inherent rights and dignity of all people.
• Practice independently within the legal and ethical framework of nursing.
• Assume responsibility for intellectual growth and life-long learning.
• Function as contributing members of a global society.

Graduates of the program receive an associate in science degree in nursing (ASN) and are eligible to write the examination for licensure.

Program Description
The Lancaster General College of Nursing & Health Sciences nursing program is designed to prepare professional nurses who integrate knowledge from the sciences and humanities and utilize the nursing process, ethical principles and legal standards to promote, maintain and restore a maximal level of wellness. The two-year, full-time curriculum is planned to provide the student with the principles and skills necessary to assume a beginning professional nurse position in hospitals and related institutions. An evening/weekend, three-year schedule is available.

Student Placement/NCLEX Pass Rate
Class of 2006
Employed within six months: 100%
Pass rate NCLEX (first-time takers): 98%

Licensed Practical Nurse
Advanced Placement Program

Licensed Practical Nurses have the opportunity for advanced placement.

An applicant applying for admission to the Advanced Placement program for LPN’s must meet the following requirements:

• Graduation from a National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission accredited practical nurse or vocational nurse program. Provisions exist for applicants who are graduated from non-NLNAC accredited programs based upon achievement tests.
• Current valid license to practice practical nursing (LPN).
• Documented proof of at least 1,000 working hours as an LPN within the last two (2) years prior to beginning NUR 201.
• Meet all the requirements for general admission to the College.
• Completed BIO 175, BIO 176, MATH 150, and 9 additional general education course credits with a grade of C (2.0) or better and a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or greater.

Students accepted into the program are required to complete the LPN Assessment Module. Successful completion of the assessment module exempts students from NUR 101, NUR 102, NUR 111 and NUR 112.

Evening/Weekend Track
The nursing program offers an evening/weekend track. Students applying for admission to the evening/weekend track must meet the following requirements:

• General admission requirements.
• Successful completion of BIO 175 and BIO 176 with a grade of C or better.

Updated 05/06/10