The College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CONHS) is dedicated to providing quality education in Health-related programs. The CONHS offers undergraduate majors in Healthcare Management, Nursing, Communication Science Disorders, Public Health, Radiography, Respiratory Therapy, and Exercise Science, as well as minors in athletic coaching and wellness and health promotion. The CONHS offers diploma programs in Pharmacy Technician and Medical Assistant. The CONHS offers graduate majors in Health Information Management, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Speech Language Pathology, and the Doctorate of Physical Therapy.

The baccalaureate nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, for both pre-licensure (BSN) and Registered Nurse (RN/BSN) students. Upon successful completion of the undergraduate nursing program, the graduate is awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, and the pre-licensure graduate is eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). A Master of Science in Nursing is offered with several different concentrations, such as Nurse Education, Healthcare Systems Leadership, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, as is a joint MSN/MBA degree. The Doctorate in Nursing Practice (DNP) degree is offered with concentration in Leadership, Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Psych-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

The Exercise Science program is accredited by The Commission on Accreditation for Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Radiography program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology (JRCERT)

The Speech Language Pathology program is accredited by the Council for Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA).

The Occupational Therapy program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE)The DPT program is in Candidacy for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

The DPT program is in Candidacy for Accreditation status by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education.

Philosophy

The philosophy of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences is congruent with the Mission values of Lewis University: knowledge, fidelity, wisdom, justice and association. The College of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty supports the development of healthcare professionals in their pursuit of life-long learning by providing undergraduate and graduate opportunities for liberal and professional education to a diverse student population. The faculty promotes Lasallian and Catholic values within an environment that fosters critical thinking, enlightenment, compassion and community in all teaching, learning and service. The faculty assists in the development of healthcare professionals who use their knowledge and skills to protect the rights of those in their care and advocate for the vulnerable and disenfranchised, and promote health and well-being.

Education is a life-long process. The educator and student, each with a rich background of diverse life experiences and learning styles, enter into a journey of learning. A climate of mutual inquiry, support and interdependence contributes to the exchange of knowledge and experience. The educator assumes the role of resource person, facilitator and co-learner with the student in a relationship based on acceptance, generosity, patience, humor and humility. The student actively participates in learning by creating, interpreting and reorganizing knowledge in search for truth. The Lewis University College of Nursing and Health Sciences educational outcomes are based on a curricula and experiences that integrate the concepts of person, health, environment and healthcare professional.

The faculty believes a person is a unique, holistic child of God who must be treated with dignity and respect for the individual’s unique attributes. Persons can be defined as individuals, families, aggregates and communities. Diversity is recognized, valued and nurtured.

Health involves and is affected by all aspects of life – mind, body, spirit and environment. A major focus of healthcare is to support and promote a person’s capacity for health promotion, recovery and self-healing. Each person has the right to freely choose among approaches that are appropriately responsive to the unique attributes or perceived health needs.

The environment encompasses a complex intersection of time, space and thought. Each person, through one’s own uniqueness, defines and interacts with one’s own environment. The relationship of person with environment is non-linear, reciprocal and mutable.

The healthcare professional works independently and collaboratively, within a defined scope of practice and in a variety of settings. This professional is committed to maximizing health and quality of life from the person’s perspective. Professional ethics and values guide the professional who assumes accountability for actions within a professional relationship. Fundamental to the nature of the professional relationship is respect for individuality and preservation of dignity.