faculty

General Information

Mission, Philosophy, Vision, & Steps

Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne
Parkview Department of Nursing

Mission

The mission of the IPFW/Parkview Department of Nursing is to be a leader in providing excellence in undergraduate and graduate nursing education with distinction in nursing practice, scholarship, and service to the community.

Philosophy

The Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne/Parkview Department of Nursing faculty believe that all individuals have inherent worth and dignity, are part of a larger social-cultural network, and are continually developing and adapting.

Health or optimum adaptation is achieved through equilibrium of physical, psychological, social, cultural, developmental, and spiritual components. Perceptions of health and health goals are determined within a socio-cultural context and are influenced by knowledge, experiences, and values.

Nursing is an interpersonal process through which the nurse influences people toward understanding, attaining, maintaining, or regaining optimum health. Holistic and compassionate nursing practice incorporates knowledge and theory from nursing science, physical sciences, psychological and social sciences, humanities, and the arts to understand and address human needs. Nurses collaborate with other healthcare providers to promote optimal health.
Various levels of nursing practice can be differentiated by educational achievement; skills in decision-making, case management, interviewing and assessment; designing and implementing care and teaching; participation in collaborative practice; autonomy; conducting and applying research; and the ability to influence change utilizing leadership strategies. The associate degree graduate is prepared to provide primary, secondary, and tertiary nursing care within structured healthcare organizations. The baccalaureate degree graduate is prepared at the professional level to function in a leadership role with other team members in varied and complex healthcare settings. The master's degree graduate is prepared as a specialist in the advanced practice role to provide professional leadership and expertise in the healthcare system. Through formal education and experiential learning, entry level nurses can advance to professional practitioners at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Learning is a life-long process which enables individuals to think critically in the appraisal and application of knowledge, skills, and values as these relate to self, others, and the environment. The faculty is responsible for creating a learning environment that facilitates the acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills for professional nursing practice. Individuals must be actively involved in, and responsible for, their own learning.

Nurses must be knowledgeable about social, economic, and health issues in order to assume an active role in promoting health and influencing healthcare delivery. Nursing faculty value professional growth and opportunities to make contributions to the profession through academic study, research, and political action. Service to the profession, university, and community is highly valued by the faculty.

Vision

The IPFW/Parkview Department of Nursing will be the premier center for nursing education in northeast Indiana by:

  • Providing timely and responsive healthcare education for a diverse community of learners
  • Preparing and challenging students to achieve their highest potential in scholarship and professional nursing practice
  • Improving the health and well being of our citizens through student and faculty service
  • Cultivating partnerships and securing resources to assure innovative learning opportunities
  • Contributing to the profession through academic study, research, and political action

Steps

Scholarship

  • Critical thinking
  • Research/discovery
  • Evidence-based practice

Trustworthiness

  • Advocacy
  • Integrity
  • Ethics
  • Respect

Excellence

  • Education
  • Nursing practice
  • Caring


Professionalism

  • Leadership/collaboration
  • Political action
  • Accountability
  • Lifelong learning

Service

  • Diversity
  • Health promotion
  • Community

The IPFW Undergraduate Nursing Programs are accredited by
the Indiana State Board of Nursing Health Profession Bureau and accredited by
the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
61 Broadway 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006;
telephone, 1-800-669-1656 ext. 153.