Greetings from the Dean

Welcome to the School of Nursing, The Catholic University of America. Our long-held motto "The skills to succeed and the values to guide" exemplifies the two " identities" which we address through our educational mission. The first identity is that of the professional nurse in the 21st century; the second, the professional nurse whose spirituality had been developed through exposure to the Catholic intellectual and religious tradition.

The identity of the professional nurse in the 21st century is a major focus in our undergraduate educational program. We recognize that the " 21st century nurse" must have strong analytic abilities to address complex problems in health care. The 21st century nurse must have a solid knowledge base, a clear sense of purpose and the courage to persevere and lead in the face of significant challenges . The 21st century nurse must be a patient advocate, often the calm in the eye of the storm. The 21st century nurse must not only be knowledgeable but attuned to the complexities of health care.

While such aspirations are far beyond the ability of any program to deliver, we provide a strong foundation for the 21st century nurse throughout the professional lifespan. We ensure that our academic offerings and clinical experiences provide an opportunity for students to learn and refine their knowledge and skills. We also provide an atmosphere where the development of one's professional identity is both expected and encouraged. One of the most important and challenging socialization approaches occurs not within the structure of courses, but within the structure of student interactions with faculty, staff, students, patients, families and communities. We consistently emphasize students' responsibility for acquiring information, being accountable for the decisions they make, and identifying their goals for any interaction.

We consistently focus on helping students move from needing the voice of others, whether a loving parent, spouse, partner or child, to finding their own voice, a voice filled with competence, confidence, compassion and power. The transitions we see are truly remarkable as our "professional nurses of the 21st century" graduate, return as alumni, and then return for their master's or doctoral education.

The second identity of the professional nurse whose spirituality is developed through exposure to the Catholic intellectual and religious tradition, a major focus of all our educational programs. As with the 21st century nurse, this goal is equally lofty and equally difficult to achieve. In addressing this identity, we strive to convey the message that values matter and that the human spirit and spirituality are legitimate considerations in our professional practice.
Through required coursework addressing ethics, philosophy and religious thought, our students have the opportunity to internalize values of caring, respect, dignity and ethical conduct in nursing care. They have multiple opportunities to explore the ways in which ethical principles such as doing good, avoiding harm, (beneficence/non-maleficence), and treating all patients in a fair and equal manner (justice & equity) influence the quality and acceptability of nursing care.

We address the spiritual dimension of the nurse and the patient by freely recognizing that nursing does not merely involve caring for the body; patients' spiritual beliefs must be addressed. Students have the essential academic freedom to explore the way in which spirituality and religious practice can influence the nursing care. They can consider the mind-body connection, learn the difference between spirituality and religiosity, and move towards a practice that respects the spiritual base and practices of those whom we serve. Paradoxically, the Catholic nature of the university makes discussion and debate about the role of faith in health care a legitimate topic of discussion in a manner that respects students' beliefs.

In conclusion, my sincere hope is that you will continue to value the School of Nursing, consider participating in our academic programs and watch as we move ever faster towards excellence in research, education and clinical practice.

Nalini Jairath, PhD, R.N.