Your selection of Nursing as a program of study carries with it several important responsibilities.

First, the nursing student must be committed to the profession. Being a nurse requires self-discipline, physical, mental, and emotional stamina. As you give to others, you must often give a little of your own self. Therefore, commit yourself to learning of this field and do not be reluctant to give, for you often receive much more in return.

Second, the nursing student must strive for excellence. The importance of providing good health care is paramount. When we as health care providers fail in our performance, the patient becomes the loser. Therefore, strive for excellence, for our patients deserve our best.

Third, begin even now to plan for your continuing educational growth. Nursing is an ever-changing science. Advances in the field require new learning and a plan for your educational growth. Therefore, learn now what you can, but never expect to reach the summit of all knowledge in this field.

The nursing student should not become so overpowered by the technologies and complexities of nursing that he or she forgets the focus of the profession--quality health care for the patient. It is in giving of yourself to your patients and to your profession, that you will reap the fullest pleasure from your practice. Numerous and varied opportunities await the nurse as a health-care provider, making personal goals almost unlimited. Enjoy the time you spend with each patient now as a student, and later as you practice as a nurse. Allow them to be the highlight of your day.

The responsibilities of the program and the profession may appear great at times, but the rewards outnumber all challenges you may encounter by tenfold.

Nursing's Mission Statement

As a community college nursing department, nursing faculty are committed to providing accessible, high-quality nursing education to meet the diverse and changing health-care needs of our community.

To carry out this mission, we offer two levels of nursing education:  Practical Nursing Education and Associate Degree Nursing.