Mission, Vision, Core Values and Strategic Plan

Mission

The Capstone College of Nursing subscribes to the mission of The University of Alabama. The mission of the college is to enhance the health and well-being of the people of the state of Alabama by advancing the profession of nursing through education, scholarship, and service.

Vision

The Capstone College of Nursing will excel in baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral education; innovative clinical practice; and creative use of technology to advance nursing practice, education, and scholarship. We aspire to be a community of diverse faculty and students whose collaborative efforts promote excellence in the nursing profession.

Core Values

Excellence

Excellence is obtaining the highest level of achievement in education, practice, and scholarship. It is founded on evidence-based practices leading to innovative teaching, practice and scholarship. The focus for excellence is centered around students, faculty, and the community. Achievement of excellence requires diligent and continual pursuit of professional knowledge and expertise, and a faculty whose expertise complements the mission and vision.

Integrity

Integrity is firm adherence to a code of ethical and moral values and behaviors, a soundness of decision-making, honesty and accountability for actions based on an internally consistent framework of principles. Nursing practice is based on ethical principles and standards of nursing education and practice. Personal integrity is acquired over a lifetime. Professional integrity is modeled and mentored during the educational process and provides a foundation for practice that can be sustained for the duration of a nurse’s career. Faculty embraces principles governing integrity and affirms the importance of diligence, civility, and honesty in the academic environment. The professoriate aims to foster an environment of trust, clarity of expectations, and fair assessment that promote academic honesty.

Caring

Caring, the hallmark of holistic nursing, is expressed in interpersonal relationships to promote the well-being of self and others. An interactive caring process focuses on the biopsychosocial, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of human beings. Caring denotes respect, compassion, sensitivity, advocacy, and cultural competence.

Diversity

Diversity is differences in social, intellectual, and individual characteristics. The Capstone College of Nursing values diversity as evidenced by an all-inclusive environment for the communities of interest. Dimensions of social diversity include individuality, sensitivity, tolerance, good will, social justice and cultural competence. Intellectual diversity includes a multiplicity of ideas, autonomy in thinking, flexibility and respect for varied teaching strategies. Diversity is recognizing, appreciating and using the unique attributes and contributions of all individuals to enhance the richness of the academic environment regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, age, physical abilities, political beliefs, spiritual perspectives or other ideologies.

Student-centered Learning

Student-centered learning focuses on students’ active involvement and participation in the educational process and provides the foundation for lifelong learning. Student-centered learning promotes a deeper form of learning and understanding than memorization of facts. Students are responsible for their learning and teachers are resources and facilitators of learning. Student-centered learning approaches engage the learner in active learning, such as collaborative/group activities, activities that promote intellectual discovery and creative problem-solving, activities that provide practice in learning skills, varying use of instructional strategies, and use of new technologies.

Professionalism

Professionalism encompasses values and associated behaviors foundational to nursing and is based on ethical principles and standards of nursing education and practice. Development of these values and behaviors is promoted through socialization into the profession. Professional nursing requires the use of evidence-based knowledge and skills in the provision of care and in collaboration with other disciplines. Professionalism includes the generation and refinement of knowledge through the research process and other scholarly activities. Expected behaviors include accountability, dependability, responsibility, autonomy, and leadership.

Strategic Plan

Provide excellent programs to prepare students for nursing practice at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels
Promote scholarship and productivity among nursing faculty and students
Create a workplace environment that supports faculty and staff accomplishment of the CCN vision and mission
Secure community and financial support to accomplish the CCN mission
Promote clinical practice opportunities for faculty and students