Philosophy

The faculty of the Practical Nurse program at Berkeley College believe that every person is a special being of great worth with inherent rights and possessing commonalities of basic physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs that create cultural diversity and impact the community, defined as a network of interacting individuals, social system and group, and extends throughout the life span.

Health is a state which reflects holistic balance allowing individuals to self-actualize and express their optimum functions. This is seen as a wellness/illness continuum. Wellness is achieved by a balance of body, mind, and spirit. Illness is an alteration of this balance.

Nursing is an art and a science which includes maintenance and promotion of health, restorative and therapeutic care through assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of ever-changing patient needs within the wellness/illness continuum. This process is achieved through communication and interactive skills with patients, families, health team members, and communities. There are different levels of nursing practitioners. Licensed practical nursing is an entry-level to the nursing field and an integral part of all nursing. The licensed practical nurse performs selected tasks and collaborates in the sharing of responsibility for total client care under the direction of a registered nurse or advance practice registered nurse, and within the framework of supportive and restorative care, health counseling and teaching, case finding and referral, collaboration in the implementation of total healthcare regimen, and executing the medical regimen under the direction of a licensed physician or dentist.

Education is an ongoing democratic process for assisting people to realize their potential through self-actualization. It is the process of personal enrichment through which the student learns to communicate and interact with others. The teaching/learning process will occur in an environment that is both instructor- and student-driven. Instructor-driven learning will include lecture, audio and visual aids, and demonstration. Student-driven learning will include laboratory practice, clinical patient care, group discussions, role-playing presentations, and other learning activities to create a stimulating learning environment.

Environment encompasses community and learning environments where the art and science of nursing is taught and learning is facilitated.

Berkeley College is committed to responding to community needs by producing skilled practitioners with the ability to communicate effectively within the world of work and attain gainful employment with job satisfaction. The Practical Nurse program is offered sequentially from simple to complex and provides the graduate with the skills necessary to successfully function as a licensed practical nurse. They will practice in environments such as, but not limited to, extended care, sub-acute, and rehabilitation facilities; clinics; doctors’ offices; and home care.