MISSION

The mission of the School of Nursing is to provide high quality, broad-based nursing education that is based on Christian values. The school prepares men and women of various ethnic and religious backgrounds to become dedicated and committed nursing professionals who are ready to advocate for the principle of preventive health care and are willing to take on leadership roles. They will be equipped with clinical skills and research capabilities that will make a difference in this generation. Emphasis is placed on client-centered nursing care practices, and holistic approach to learning in the context that integrates faith and learning.

PHILOSOPHY

The 21st Century has witnessed a realization that the health care needs of our community are not being adequately met. As the society becomes more informed and increasingly aware of its fundamental human rights, health care professionals must be adequately prepared to deliver the quality of care that is relevant, functional and acceptable to their clients.

Realizing the challenges of the new millennium and the complex nature of our society, we at Babcock University School of Nursing are committed to providing competent professionals for nursing careers with a well-structured, broad-based professional training that is relevant and functional, reflecting a Christian orientation.

While upholding the importance of the highest academic standards, the uniqueness of Babcock University is to be found in the pursuance of the Seventh-day Adventist Philosophy of education that emphasizes the harmonious development of the academic, physical, psycho-social and spiritual potentials of learners. The School of Nursing believes that as we seek to develop high professional competence in our students, we also desire to integrate Christian values in preparing nursing and midwifery professionals, in harmony with our conviction of what Christian education should be, to appreciate the meaning of the full restoration of dignity, value and self-worth to mankind.

We believe that man is a multidimensional being, composed of biological, psychological, sociological and developmental variables that influence the state of wellbeing or illness. He has intellectual capacities and has the ability to conceptualize, verbalise and collaborate with others. We also believe that man is creative, makes choices and has the ability for self-actualization. Each person is unique with different needs and potentials which are highly influenced by his sociocultural and environmental imperatives that may impact his ability to adapt to stress and stressors. Man is constantly interacting with a dynamic environment which has consequences for maintenance of stability (health) or disequilibrium (ill-health).

We believe that the Master’s programme is designed to prepare nurses to function in progressively complex roles in health care delivery system. Furthermore, we believe that the global phenomenal increase in science, technology and other human endeavours makes nursing education a lifelong commitment beyond the Master level preparation. We believe that an open system model should be used as a framework for curricular direction.

We believe that the students should be actively involved in their own education: in identifying learning needs; planning learning experiences and evaluating learning outcomes. This involvement should enable them to become self-directed learners, capable of seeking knowledge and developing skill throughout their professional careers.

We believe that each student has a unique experiential background, has individual learning needs and style for the learning, is resourceful and has the ability to contribute to their own and each other’s learning. We believe that the quality of nursing care provided by students is a reflection of the attitude and relationships they experience in their educational preparation. As students experience positive, constructive and accepting attitude from faculty and as they observe supportive, collegial relationships among faculty, administration and other health professionals, so will they model their professional role in their practice.