Philosophy of the Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing Master's Program
The nursing faculty in accord with Molloy College, believes that every person, as a biological, psychological, sociological, spiritual, cultural being, has an innate potential for self-actualization in a dynamic universe. We believe that human beings are entitled to an environment which fosters individual self-esteem and mutual positive regard. We hold in high esteem the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals. It is the concept of valuing, in relation to humanity-environment-health, which gives meaning to humanistic nursing practice.
Each human being is an integrated whole evolving through time. The uniqueness of humanity is reflected through individuals, families and communities continuously interacting with their environment. Since environment influences the health and well-being of humanity, we recognize our collective responsibility to strive toward an environmentally better world.
Health is a dynamic state of bio-psycho-socio-spiritual-cultural well-being. A responsible society provides a health care system that enables individuals to function at their highest level. Nursing meets the actual and potential needs of humanity by assisting a diverse, multicultural population to attain, maintain, and retain optimum health.
Nursing is both a science and an art which focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of human responses. Humanistic nursing integrates theory and practice within a framework of ethical decision-making. Nursing provides health care for individuals, families, and communities. Central to professional practice are caring, interpersonal communication, and nursing therapeutics. We believe that nursing is a social contract grounded in the profession’s code of ethics and requires a life-long professional commitment.
Baccalaureate nursing education is based on liberal arts and sciences. This foundation distinguishes baccalaureate nurses by preparing them to communicate, evaluate, and provide humanistic health care. Professional nursing education includes nursing’s scientific body of knowledge which is augmented by the findings of multidisciplinary research. Baccalaureate education prepares the nurse generalist in a beginning leadership role as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team who is able to practice in a variety of settings.
The faculty believes that learning is an ongoing process that fosters intellectual inquisitiveness, critical thinking and decision-making, a creative approach to life situations, and an appreciation of ethical and aesthetic values. We believe learning occurs best in a humanistic environment that values students and supports them in becoming increasingly self-aware and self-directed.
A Master of Science degree builds on a foundation of baccalaureate nursing education and integrates nursing theory, research and knowledge from other disciplines. Students, through scholarly activities, acquire the necessary knowledge, understanding and values that lay the groundwork for advanced humanistic nursing practice. It is the integration of theory and practice, grounded in ethical decision-making that distinguishes humanistic practice. Graduate education assists students to perceive new relationships among variables that affect professional nursing in an evolving health care system.
The faculty believes that graduate education provides an opportunity for professional nurses to develop advanced competencies in nursing therapeutics, in areas of clinical concentration and role function, congruent with an expanding theoretical knowledge and authority base. Master’s education prepares nurses to manage care in complex situations and meet intensified health care demands. The faculty recognizes the importance of collaboration among health care professionals, and the uniqueness of nursing’s contribution.
Additional information: Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing and Hearth Sciences