Nursing Program Philosophy
The School of Nursing is guided by a philosophy which advocates caring social responsibility and service to those in need, utilizing Kristen Swanson’s Theory of Caring as a framework for the provision of nursing care.
Based on our Nursing Program Philosophy, our faculty:
- View nursing as an art and science of reflective practice in caring for clients in vulnerable populations across the lifespan.
- Believe nursing is a profession that values the acquisition and application of evidence-based knowledge and clinical reasoning skills to ensure quality and safe client-centered care.
- View students as holistic individuals who bring unique qualities that contribute to the strength and diversity of the program.
- Endeavor to ensure that student services consistently promote achievement of student learner outcomes.
- Prepare students to enter the profession as entry-level practitioners who integrate theory and research into their practice and use critical reasoning skills to deliver holistic care.
- Advocate for the rights and responsibilities of clients and families to participate collaboratively with the nurse and other members of the healthcare team.
- Believe that nurses are professionals who must be prepared to work with those whose beliefs might be different from their own because society is made up of different religious, ethnic, and cultural groups.
- View education as a dynamic, interactive, and life-long inter-professional, learning process.
Our Commitment to Providing a High-Quality Nursing Education
The Associate of Science in Nursing program at St. Joseph School of Nursing located in Nashua, New Hampshire:
- Is approved by the New Hampshire Board of Nursing
- Has been issued degree granting authority by the New Hampshire Department of Education, Division of Educator Support and Higher Education
- Is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
Associate Nursing Program Accreditation
The Associate of Science in Nursing program at St. Joseph School of Nursing located in Nashua, New Hampshire, is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). In March of 2018, the ACEN Board of Commissioners granted continued accreditation through 2025 for the Associate of Science in Nursing program at St. Joseph School of Nursing.
The Benefits of Associate Nursing Program Accreditation through ACEN
Accreditation by ACEN signifies quality in nursing education by fostering program excellence though the peer review process, which benefits students, faculty, and the community.
- Provides useful information for students’ career and education decision making.
- Enables student eligibility for funding support from federal and state agencies, and foundations.
- Facilitates transfer of credits.
- Fulfills admission requirements for some graduate level nursing programs.
- Fulfills authorization to test and licensure requirements in some states as well as certification examinations at the graduate level.
- Fulfills employment requirements for some employers (e.g., U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and branches of the U.S. Armed Forces).
- Fosters ongoing, self-examination, re-evaluation, and focus on the future for continuous improvement.
- Heightens faculty members’ and administrators’ awareness and responsiveness to program effectiveness.
- Assists employers seeking graduates who are competent practitioners.
- Aids in student recruitment.
