Associate Degree Nursing Program Philosophy

The philosophy of the Associate Degree Nursing program is congruent with the Bluegrass Community and Technical College mission statement. The faculty believe that:

• Persons are holistic beings having physical, emotional, socio-cultural, cognitive, and aesthetic needs. These basic human needs are organized in a hierarchy and a person satisfies those lower needs on the hierarchy at least minimally before focusing on higher needs.
• Health is sufficient gratification of basic human needs that enable persons to experience movement toward self-actualization.
• The environment is an aggregate of all the conditions and influences affecting the life and development of a person. The environment impacts the individual’s ability to meet basic human needs and ultimately influences movement toward self-actualization.
• Nursing is a profession that assists individuals, sick or well, in meeting human needs they would meet unaided if they had the necessary strength, will or knowledge. The goals of nursing include promoting independence, maintaining or restoring health, or supporting a peaceful death.
• Nursing education belongs within the general system of higher education. The community college provides the ideal setting for associate degree nursing education which is based on a clearly defined conceptual framework. The curriculum includes study in nursing and related disciplines. Associate degree nursing education is responsive to advancement in nursing research and practice.
• Learning is an individual and lifelong process evidenced by changed behavior resulting from the acquisition of knowledge, skills, understanding and attitudes. Learning is a teacher/student partnership in which the teacher’s responsibility is to structure and facilitate optimal learning conditions for learning through clearly defined educational objectives. The student brings to this partnership the willingness to learn and assumes accountability for his or her educational outcomes. Recognizing that both the rate and style of learning differ with individuals, a variety of strategies are utilized to facilitate the student’s achievement of program competencies, attainment of maximum potential, and promotion of continued learning.
• Nursing practice is an applied science in which the nurse assists clients in meeting basic human needs. The nursing process is used as a basis for nursing care decisions.
• The ADN graduate, having achieved the program competencies, is prepared to practice in settings where policies and procedures are specified and guidance is available.
• Within the nursing profession, the ADN graduate is prepared to function as a provider of care characterized by critical thinking, clinical competence, accountability, and a commitment to the value of caring; as a manager of care characterized by collaboration, organization, delegation, accountability, advocacy, and respect for other health care workers; and as a member within the discipline of nursing characterized by a commitment to professional growth, continuous learning, and self-development. 

Program Mission Statement

The Associate Degree Nursing Program prepares program graduates to write the National Council Licensure Examination to become registered nurses. The program curriculum combines general education and nursing education and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and is approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing. Consistent with the mission of Bluegrass Community and Technical College, program faculty support lifelong learning and workforce development through faculty efforts in continuing education and community service.