The philosophy of the College of Nursing is in accord with the philosophy of Villanova University as stated in its Mission Statement and is rooted in its Catholic and Augustinian heritage. The College of Nursing, as an integral part of Villanova University, recognizes Man as a unique being created by God. The faculty believe that Man is a physiological, psychological, social and spiritual being, endowed with intellect, free will and inherent dignity. Man has the potential to direct, integrate, and/or adapt to his total environment in order to meet his needs.

"The College of Nursing truly is an environment where students are enriched with knowledge and are encouraged to utilize this knowledge for the well-being of society, as well as for the future of the profession."

Dimitra Georgelos Christoforatos, MSN, CRNP
BSN '99, MSN '03

The faculty believe that health is a state of physiological, psychological, social and spiritual well-being and not merely the absence of disease. Man does not assume a fixed position of health, but has the potential for moving in either direction between wellness and illness. The faculty believe that health care is a right, and they respect one's option to choose participation in the process of health care delivery.

Nursing is a dynamic profession. Its focus is to assist individuals, families, and communities at all points in the life cycle to maintain, restore and/or promote health. The nurse, as an accountable agent of health care, utilizes the nursing process to fulfill the various functions of nursing: Case-finding, health teaching, health counseling, and managing and providing nursing care. The nursing process involves assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating both the need for nursing care and the outcomes of nursing interventions. The faculty believe that the nursing profession is ever changing. Nurses are actively involved in planning and implementing changes in nursing practice. Nurses act as catalysts in stimulating deliberate and conscious planning for the improvement of society's health care. Nurses serve as change agents and emerge as full partners, with other health disciplines, in leading and shaping health policy for a diverse and multicultural society and in functioning as advocates for the health care consumer.

The faculty believe that education provides students with opportunities to develop habits of critical, constructive thought so that they can make discriminating judgments in their search for truth. This type of intellectual development can best be attained in a teaching-learning environment which fosters sharing of knowledge, skills and attitudes as well as inquiry toward the development of new knowledge. The faculty and students comprise a community of learners with the teacher as the facilitator and the students responsible for their own learning.

The faculty believe that the professional nurse is educated in an institution of higher learning which grants a Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing. Furthermore, the faculty believes that this educational program is an initial step in the ongoing process of continuing professional education and development. Through its Undergraduate Program, the Villanova University College of Nursing graduates a generalist who is prepared to practice nursing in a variety of settings and who possesses the ability to recognize and function within his/her potential. The Graduate Program has as its priority the preparation of nurse educators, administrators, case managers, and advanced practice. Master's degree graduates are prepared to enter doctoral programs in nursing. The Doctoral Program is committed to the preparation of teacher-scholars for academic careers in higher education.