Watts School of Nursing - White Cap Yearbook (Durham, NC)

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WATTS HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF NURSING DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA PHILOSOPHY We believe nursing is that phase of the total health program which concerns itself with the direct care of the patient through application of scientific principles and human understanding. It encompasses the patient from all areas of community life and involves the sharing of meaningful information with patients and their families so that they may grow in understanding of how to care for themselves. We interpret a patient to mean any person sick or well who requires the services of a nurse. This implies prevention of illness, care of the ill and rehabilitation after illness. We believe education is a gradual, progressive, continuing process of evaluating and changing beliefs and con- cepts to meet the needs of our modern society. We believe education takes place in direct relation to the in- dividual’s acceptance of change as a pre-requisite for the accomplishment of goals. Nursing education enables the student to acquire knowledge and understanding of basic scientific principles necessary to identify and solve problems of persons who need nursing service. We believe learning is a continuous and individual process of change in behavior which is influenced by the learner’s previous experience and present environment. We believe learning is enhanced and more effective when applied in selected nursing situations which are planned to meet the needs of the student. We believe it is the responsibility of the faculty to plan and implement the course of study, including making assignments, providing supervision in the clinical laboratory, and evaluating the effectiveness in terms of stated goals. The student is encouraged to assume the responsibility for his her own learning and to evaluate his her performance as a means for continuous growth and development. This is a progression from one level of learning to a higher level. We believe this p hilosophy may be interpreted to mean, on completion of the program, the student will be com- petent to evaluate the needs of patients and know who within the therapeutic team is needed to meet a specific need and to make a plan for patient care accordingly. This is the function of a beginning staff nurse. WATTS HOSPITAL SCHOOL OF NURSING DURHAM, N.C. 27705 1976-1977