College Mission
The mission of the College of Nursing is to prepare the next generation of nursing leaders and to be a leader in the discovery, dissemination and application of nursing knowledge.  As the only state supported higher degree program in nursing, the College has a mandate to supply the next generation of nurses for the state of Iowa.  As one of eleven colleges in a Research Extensive university, the College of Nursing has a responsibility to support its research mission through national leadership in both innovative educational programs and generation of new knowledge.

Statement of Philosophy

Professional nursing recognizes and addresses the health care needs of society and its individuals. It encompasses a humanistic orientation and a dedication to basic ethical principles. Professional nursing practice is operationalized through diagnosis, intervention and outcome evaluation with the goal of promoting the health of individuals, families, and communities. The faculty at the College of Nursing prepares nurses to practice professionally through fulfilling the mission of College.

We believe that an expert faculty with varied areas of clinical and scholarly expertise is required to carry out the educational mission of the College. The faculty is committed to designing and implementing curricula in which students develop critical thinking, clinical decision-making and professional nursing values in an increasingly complex health care system. Professional nursing practice requires the application of knowledge from the humanities, the natural and social sciences and nursing science. The undergraduate curriculum prepares graduates for entry level professional practice in a broad range of health care settings. Education at the master's level prepares graduates to function in multiple roles including advanced practice and nurse management, as well as preparation for doctoral study. Doctoral education prepares nurse scientists to conduct research relevant to nursing practice and health care delivery. We are committed to preparing our graduates to function in leadership roles and to address the political, ethical, economic, and policy issues that affect the design and delivery of health care in the state and the nation.

In addition, we believe faculty members work in partnership with students to facilitate achievement of each student's educational goals. The faculty is accountable to the students served and is responsible for creating an environment that promotes free inquiry and sensitivity to diversity. Students have a responsibility to be actively involved in the education process; to identify their learning goals, needs, and styles; to become knowledgeable and skilled; to question and to propose new ideas; and to use peer, faculty, college, and university resources to further their own learning.

We believe that learning is continuous process. The formal and continuing nursing education programs encourage life-long learning, enable the assimilation of new knowledge and new technologies to create and maintain required skills, and promote understanding of the changing invironments in which nursing services are delivered. We are committed to providing accessible and affordable education to both students and practicing nurses. Advances in information technology are incorporated into all eduational programs to enhance learning and program accessibility.

In order to fulfill the scholarship mission of the college, we are committed to the development of nursing as an academic discipline through scholarly activities that advance the science of nursing. The dual aims of nursing research are to further the health of the public and improve the care of individuals across the lifespan. Nursing research focuses (1) on the role of nursing care in the promotion of health and well-being, (2) the prevention of disease, (3) the care of the sick at the level of the individual, family, and community, (4) the effectiveness of specific interventions for targeted health outcomes, and (5) the organizational and setting factors that affect effectiveness of health care delivery. In our commitment to the science of nursing, we acknowledge the reciporcal relationship between theory and research in knowledge development, value both naturalistic and controlled approaches to inquiry, support both basic and clinical research, encourage interdisciplinary and collaborative research efforts, and promote the translation and dissemination of research findings into practice.

As a college within a public university, we are committed to faculty involvement in a wide range of service activities. We believe that to carry out the service mission of the College requires that faculty members serve as role models for nursing practice, community service, collaborative practice, and health policy development. Faculty members also provide services that contribute to the operations and vitality of the College, the University, and the profession. This requires a faculty with a mix of appointments that include clinical and tenure track appointments.