Organizing Framework for the Undergraduate Program: Core Nursing Knowledge for the 21st Century
Click here for a model of the organizing framework.
Villanova University College of Nursing has a distinguished history of educating baccalaureate prepared nurses and is committed to facilitating student learning, research, and professional practice. The Organizing Framework of the undergraduate curriculum, entitled Core Nursing Knowledge for the 21st Century, reflects the mission of Villanova University, Catholic Augustinian values and traditions, and is congruent with the University Strategic plan. We maintain our commitment to academic excellence through the incorporation of professional standards of nursing education and practice that guide present and future nursing education locally, nationally, and globally. The curriculum was developed using current evidence and a design that reflects student-centered approaches and innovative teaching and learning strategies. This curriculum continues the rich heritage of the College of Nursing’s excellence in nursing education for our students and graduates to minister to patients, families, and the global community.
The interrelated elements of the Organizing Framework are based on the College of Nursing Philosophy and consist of Foundational Knowledge, Core Nursing Knowledge, and Core Nursing Competencies. These are necessary for the Professional Formation of Villanova nurses who, based on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), are competent, compassionate, inclusive, and motivated by a spirit of inquiry. Foundational Knowledge is grounded in liberal arts, sciences, and ethical precepts. Core Nursing Knowledge includes application of health promotion, disease prevention, and disease and care management concepts for individuals, families, communities, and populations throughout the world with attention to human dignity, rights and responsibilities, social justice, and solidarity in an interdependent world. The study of quality and patient safety, genetics, global health issues, health care policy, economics and the regulatory environment are integral to the Core Nursing Knowledge. Core Nursing Competencies, based upon the Quality and Safety for Nurses (QSEN) recommendations (Cronenwett, et.al, 2007), are the outcomes achieved by the graduate nurse from Villanova University that include evidence-based practice, patient-centered care, clinical reasoning, patient care skills, spiritually-centered care, cultural humility, information technology, and communication.