Philosophy

The philosophy of the Program in Nursing Science is aligned with the following academic goals expressed by UCIrvine:

UCI offers programs designed to provide students with a foundation on which to continue developing their intellectual, aesthetic, and moral capacities. Programs and curricula are based on the belief that a student's collective University experience should provide understanding and insight which are the basis for an intellectual identity and lifelong learning.

UCI provides an atmosphere conducive to creative work and scholarship at all levels, to exploring the accumulated knowledge of humanity, and to developing new knowledge through basic and applied research. Along with these objectives, UCI has a serious commitment to public service. The campus generates research expertise which may be applied to regional and national social issues, and provides humanistic understanding of the problems facing society.¹

The philosophy emanates from the mission and goals of both UCIrvine and the University of California. 

Nursing is interdisciplinary and collaborative in its art and its science. Together with other health professionals, the professional nurse addresses health care needs of individuals, families, and groups from diverse backgrounds. Health care needs range across the health-illness continuum from health promotion and wellness to intervention, treatment, rehabilitation, restoration, and palliation in response to illness.

Professional nursing practice can occur in any environment and includes clinical practice, research, education, and leadership roles. Nursing practice is guided by a set of ethical principles that include a commitment to service and quality health care for all without regard to culture, race, gender, or social status. Each person with whom nurses interact possesses a unique set of biological, behavioral, socio-cultural, and spiritual characteristics. It is the responsibility of the professional nurse to understand and respect these characteristics and their role in the well-being of the individual. It is the right and responsibility of the individual, family, or group to make autonomous health care decisions and to collaborate with nurses and other health care professionals in their care.

Nursing science and the evidence for nursing practice is derived from research that is both basic and applied. Professional nurses evaluate the evidence when considering care alternatives. They participate in the research process to advance nursing practice and nursing science.

Nursing students are unique individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences which enrich the educational environment for all students. Nursing students require substantive backgrounds in the theory and practice of nursing as well as in related disciplines including the biological, social, behavioral, medical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sciences. They also require guidance to achieve increasingly complex levels of socialization, critical thinking, written and oral expression, and research skill based on their educational level. Nursing students have the responsibility to actively participate in their learning. The University provides multiple support systems which students have the responsibility to access when needed. Faculty have the responsibility of structuring the teaching and learning environment to facilitate student learning taking into consideration individual learning styles and personal professional goals.