A. DESCRIPTION OF HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL PROGRAMS NURSING

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center and its Clinical Programs offer nursing care across the continuum. Critical, intermediate and acute nursing care are provided on the inpatient areas. Comprehensive ambulatory services are delivered within the outpatient settings. Major patient populations receiving services include medical and surgical with respective sub-specialties, normal and high-risk obstetrical. Age groups served are neonates, limited pediatrics, adolescents, adults, and geriatrics.

B. OVERALL PURPOSE OF HOSPITAL AND CLINICAL PROGRAMS NURSING

1. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center and Clinical Programs Nursing is responsible for the provision of state of the art, patient-centered nursing care to its patients; collaboration with other professional disciplines regarding patient care needs and coordination of care with other agencies and services within the community.
2. Within the context of professional practice, The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center and Clinical Programs nursing staff support and facilitate education for colleagues and students of colleges and educational programs on campus, in the community and within the state.
3. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center and Clinical Programs Nursing supports the continued growth of scientific nursing knowledge by monitoring current trends, utilizing new and innovative research findings in practice and conducting original research.

C. PHILOSOPHY OF UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS FOR MEDICAL SCIENCES MEDICAL CENTER AND ITS CLINICAL PROGRAMS NURSING

1. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center and its Clinical Programs Nursing Staff embrace the mission and values embodied by UAMS Medical Center. Within that framework, we believe that our patients are thinking, feeling individuals; deserving of respect and dignity. They come to us with personal and age specific needs, which directly affect the care given them. They have the right to question what is happening to them, to have their families included in decision-making and in care, and to expect cost-effective quality care planned by an interdisciplinary team in a coordinated fashion. This care is delivered without regard for race, religion, nature of disease, or ability to pay.
2. We believe that professional nursing is a systematic process, supported and guided by practice standards designed to achieve the following goals: promotion of health, prevention of health problems, care of the sick, and rehabilitation. Through education, open communication with patients/families, and collaboration within the interdisciplinary team, nursing assists patients to optimize their life experience or to achieve death with dignity.
3. We further believe that every professional nurse practicing within University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Medical Center and its Clinical Programs have both the right and the responsibility to participate in the development and application of state of the art nursing practice standards. As colleagues, we are obligated to participate in quality improvement activities and nursing research designed to continually improve both the efficiency and quality of our care.
4. As members of the nursing profession, we acknowledge the responsibility to share our knowledge and talents with nursing students and professional colleagues. Through collaborative and supportive education efforts, contributions are made to the quality care of patients within our own institution and throughout the state.

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