Nursing

The mission of the School of Nursing graduate program is based on the underlying philosophy and objectives of the consortium universities. The school exists for the purpose of preparing advanced practice nurses equipped with an understanding and conceptual integration of nursing’s role in today’s complex health care environments worldwide.

The purpose of the Master of Science in Nursing program is to prepare nurses to assume leadership roles in advanced family nurse practitioner positions, educators, or managers of patient care services within a variety of institutions or health care agencies. In addition, students are guided to incorporate theory and the research process in a variety of roles and practical settings.

The graduate program of the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing (PHSSN) functions within the structure of an educational consortium consisting of Abilene Christian University and Hardin-Simmons University. It offers a Master of Science in Nursing degree (MSN) with a focus on education and administration or family nurse practitioner. The program faculty
accepts the underlying philosophy and objectives of the consortium universities that individuals be educationally prepared in a manner that promotes the development of intellectual, cultural, moral and religious values.

Faculty believe that nursing is a profession that is responsive to the changing health care needs of individuals and is supported by an expanding body of knowledge. Graduate students, through study and interdisciplinary collaboration, expand their understanding of health, environment, person and nursing roles.

Building upon a baccalaureate nursing education, the faculty believes that development of critical thinking, communication, clinical skills, creativity and self-direction are essential elements in graduate nursing education. Through the educational process faculty seek to promote awareness of social, cultural and ethnic diversity, believing it enriches professional growth and development. The collaborative educational process between the faculty and students promotes progressive mastery and increased learner maturity. Implicit in advanced practice nursing is the acceptance of accountability for lifelong learning, professional growth, competent practice and effective leadership.