NR 524 Week 2 Mission Statement Paper
Student Name
Chamberlain University
NR-524: Curriculum Development
Prof. Name
Date
Mission Statement for Prelicensure BSN Program in a Public University
A mission statement serves as a vital foundation for the success of any academic or professional program, as it provides direction, defines objectives, and guides strategic decision-making (Handiwibowo & Suef, 2019). This paper explores the value of mission statements and examines the process of creating and finalizing a mission statement for a Prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at a public university.
A mission statement goes beyond a simple declaration of purpose; it articulates organizational goals, outlines the target audience, and identifies the services offered (Alegre et al., 2018). An effective mission statement also sets boundaries for operations while ensuring alignment with institutional values and objectives (Fitzgerald & Cunningham, 2015).
At different levels, mission statements serve distinct functions:
- Internal stakeholders: Helping faculty, staff, and students understand the institutional purpose.
- Investors and external stakeholders: Providing assurance of credibility and long-term vision.
- Users or service recipients: Demonstrating the benefits and quality of services (Toh & Koon, 2017).
Furthermore, a mission statement informs decision-making, shapes institutional strategies, and defines future educational and professional goals (Dermol & Širca, 2018).
Parent Organization Mission Statement
Chamberlain University articulates its mission as educating, inspiring, and empowering diverse healthcare professionals who contribute to individual, family, and community health globally (Chamberlain, 2020). This mission emphasizes education and reflects the institution’s commitment to advancing health through professional preparation.
Prelicensure BSN Program Mission Statement
The Prelicensure BSN program at a public university is designed to deliver inclusive, evidence-based, and high-quality nursing education. The curriculum integrates interdisciplinary perspectives—such as sociology, philosophy, and economics—to better equip nursing graduates for the evolving needs of healthcare delivery.
Initially, the draft mission highlighted education and service. However, after thorough analysis of socioeconomic, cultural, and equity-related factors, the statement was revised to incorporate inclusiveness, affordability, and accessibility.
Finalized Mission Statement:
“To deliver inclusive, advanced, evidence-based, and high-quality nursing education programs that empower students and professional nurses to enhance healthcare delivery by integrating core nursing principles.”
This mission aligns with the broader goals of public universities by emphasizing inclusivity, service to diverse populations, and improving healthcare outcomes through education.
Elements of Prelicensure BSN Program Mission Statement
The mission statement integrates several important elements tailored for a public university context.
| Key Elements | Description |
|---|---|
| Inclusiveness | Promotes equitable access to education for diverse learners. |
| Affordability | Reflects the mission of public universities to support students with financial constraints. |
| Evidence-Based Education | Ensures nursing practices and teaching are grounded in current research. |
| Focus on Patient Outcomes | Directs education toward improving healthcare delivery and patient safety. |
| Integration of Nursing Concepts | Applies nursing metaparadigms (person, health, nursing, environment). |
These components ensure that the mission is not only institution-specific but also responsive to the unique needs of a public university student body.
Congruence with Parent Organization Mission Statement
Chamberlain University’s mission and the Prelicensure BSN program mission both emphasize education, empowerment, and healthcare improvement.
| Comparison Area | Chamberlain University Mission | BSN Program Mission |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Educating and inspiring healthcare professionals | Preparing future nurses through inclusive, evidence-based education |
| Target Audience | Practicing and aspiring healthcare professionals | Students, particularly from diverse and lower socioeconomic backgrounds |
| Goal | Empower professionals to advance healthcare globally | Equip nurses to improve patient outcomes at community and societal levels |
While both prioritize service and education, the BSN program specifically targets students entering the healthcare field for the first time.
Teaching and Service
The finalized mission emphasizes the interconnectedness of teaching and service. Nursing education becomes a pathway to serving society by preparing competent graduates who can address evolving healthcare challenges.
For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, nurse educators not only trained students but also collaborated with practicing nurses to enhance evidence-based practices in real time. Such integration of service and teaching ensures continuous professional development and improved patient care.
Unique Qualities of the Mission Statement
The mission statement demonstrates uniqueness at three levels:
- Individual Level – Provides opportunities for students, educators, and healthcare workers to access inclusive education and professional growth.
- Organizational Level – Reflects the values of public universities, particularly affordability and accessibility.
- Service User Level – Improves community health by preparing nurses to meet diverse patient needs.
Additionally, the emphasis on inclusiveness and affordability addresses the socioeconomic realities of public university students. Integrating the nursing metaparadigm (person, environment, health, and nursing) ensures a holistic and adaptable approach to education and practice.
Target Population
Who is the mission statement addressing?
The mission targets students, particularly those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, while also recognizing healthcare professionals who benefit from continuous learning.
| Target Group | Reason for Inclusion |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Nursing Students | Primary recipients of the program, prepared for clinical practice. |
| Healthcare Professionals | Enhance skills through evidence-based education. |
| Mentors/Faculty | Support both students and professional nurses. |
| Communities/Patients | Indirect beneficiaries of better-trained nurses. |
This inclusive scope ensures the mission responds to the broader role of public universities in serving diverse populations.
Peer Collaboration
Peer collaboration was essential in refining the mission statement. Feedback highlighted that the initial draft was overly aligned with the parent organization and lacked contextual focus on public university needs. Through collaboration, inclusiveness, affordability, and nursing-specific paradigms were incorporated.
Smith (2015) emphasizes that peer review enhances teaching effectiveness and supports mission refinement by integrating diverse perspectives. Thus, collaboration strengthened the mission’s relevance and ensured it reflected both institutional goals and the needs of students.
Conclusion
An effective mission statement provides clarity, communicates institutional purpose, and ensures alignment with organizational and societal needs. The Prelicensure BSN program’s mission reflects inclusivity, affordability, and evidence-based nursing education within the framework of a public university. Peer input was vital to refining the statement, ensuring congruence with the parent organization while also acknowledging unique program needs. Ultimately, the mission serves as a roadmap to prepare future nurses who will contribute meaningfully to improving healthcare outcomes.
References
Alegre, I., Berbegal-Mirabent, J., Guerrero, A., & Mas-Machuca, M. (2018). The real mission of the mission statement: A systematic review of the literature. Journal Of Management & Organization, 24(4), 456–473. https://doi.org/10.1017/jmo.2017.82
Chamberlain. (2020). Mission and vision statement. Retrieved September 9, 2020, from https://www.chamberlain.edu/about/mission
NR 524 Week 2 Mission Statement Paper
Dermol, V., & Širca, N. (2018). Communication, company mission, organizational values, and company performance. Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences, 238, 542–551. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2018.04.034
Fitzgerald, C., & Cunningham, J. (2015). Inside the university technology transfer office: Mission statement analysis. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 41(5), 1235–1246. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10961-015-9419-6
Handiwibowo, G., & Suef, M. (2019). The impact of outbound training activity on organization mission statement (case in education mission statement MMT-ITS). IPTEK The Journal for Technology and Science, 29(1), 25. https://doi.org/10.12962/j20882033.v29i1.2990
Kesberg, R., & Keller, J. (2020). Donating to the ‘right’ cause: Compatibility of personal values and mission statements of philanthropic organizations fosters prosocial behavior. Personality and Individual Differences, 168, 110313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2020.110313
Smith, S. (2015). Peer collaboration: Improving teaching through comprehensive peer review. To Improve the Academy, 33(1). https://doi.org/10.3998/tia.17063888.0033.106
NR 524 Week 2 Mission Statement Paper
Toh, S., & Koon, V. (2017). Determining mission statement effectiveness from a fit perspective. Studies in Business and Economics, 12(2), 220–240. https://doi.org/10.1515/sbe-2017-0031