The mission of UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing is to foster the development of an entry-level graduate nurse who is prepared to transition to practice as a member of the interprofessional healthcare team. The school is part of UPMC Shadyside which is part of the UPMC health system. The focus of our program is mastery of high level competencies reflecting the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required for the delivery of safe, quality nursing care.
The vision of UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing is to advance the heart and science of nursing through the provision of excellence in nursing education by integrating the use of best evidence through innovative teaching strategies, remaining a leader in nursing education at the local and national level, and maintaining successful outcomes.
The values of the School of Nursing are synonymous with the UPMC Core Values of Quality and Safety, Dignity and Respect, Caring and Listening, Responsibility and Integrity, and Excellence and Innovation.
The faculty believes that the patient is the center of all health care experiences. Every patient has the right to autonomy, respect, dignity and health care education. We assist each patient to a level of optimal health, while respecting their unique needs and diversity.
The faculty have adopted the definition of professional nursing as defined by the American Nurses Association (ANA): “is the protection, promotion and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and treatment of human response, and advocacy in the care of individuals, families, communities, and populations.” The Faculty at UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing also believes that the discipline of nursing is science based and requires continuous inquiry to advance the knowledge and practice of the profession. The professional nurse utilizes clinical judgment as a basis for decision making to ensure safe nursing practice, and adhere to professional nursing standards. The nurse, as a patient advocate utilizes all available resources to ensure collaboration and quality care for all patients across the lifespan.
The faculty incorporate a diverse theoretical foundation that encompasses nursing and adult learning principles.
Malcolm Knowles’ Theory of Adult Learning guides our use of andragogy and self-direction based on the learner’s self-concepts, experience, readiness and motivation.
Through the adoption of Christine Tanner’s Model of Clinical Judgment based on the concepts of noticing, interpreting, responding, and reflecting; we design experiences that prepare graduates to respond to rapidly changing patient situations, and help learners identify strengths and areas for improvement.
The faculty base our curriculum on quality and safety principles.
The curriculum is designed to prepare the graduate nurse for practicing professional nursing at an entry level, and is based on the foundations of quality and safety in nursing education. The UPMC Shadyside School of Nursing has integrated the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) competencies into the framework of its curriculum. The intent of these principles is to equip the graduate nurse with the knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA’s) necessary to provide optimal patient care.
The faculty are dedicated to fostering life-long learning.
Learning is a dynamic relationship between students and faculty. Through learner centered strategies that actively engage the student, the students share responsibility for their acquisition and development of clinical reasoning.
The faculty are dedicated to best practice in nursing education.
The faculty recognizes the ever changing health care environment and the needs of the student population while striving to meet these needs through on-going professional development.
The faculty are dedicated to a positive learning environment.
The faculty displays mutual respect and dignity for all students through honest communication and feedback, while serving as professional role models.
