Breiner School of Nursing

Departmental Mission Statement

The Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Breiner School of Nursing mission is to promote excellence, value diversity, and provide education to meet the various and changing health care needs. The educational process which integrates the concepts from the liberal arts and sciences prepares professional nurses at the associate, baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels emphasizing critical thinking, clinical judgment, and disparate experiences and perspectives.

Approved: 12/13/22 Faculty Assembly

Departmental Philosophy

The philosophy of the Breiner School of Nursing at Commonwealth University reflects the values and beliefs of faculty which provide a strong foundation for each nursing program, associate to doctoral, and contributes to excellence in professional nursing practice. Our program will prepare the graduate to be proficient in nursing competencies for clinical practice.  Our philosophy is based on the belief that nursing is a unique and valuable profession that requires a commitment to caring, career-lifelong learning, innovation, and professional development. We believe that nurses should be competent, compassionate, and provide person-centered holistic care. Faculty believe in fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment that equips students with the necessary cognitive, affective, and psychomotor skills, critical thinking, clinical reasoning, clinical judgement, and commitment to the values of the profession to function as effective nurse leaders. The faculty recognize diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning experiences based on the students’ individual learning needs, learning styles, and readiness. Learning is a continuous, career-life-long process that occurs throughout domains enhanced by an environment that encompasses critical thinking, clinical reasoning, clinical judgment, evidence-based practice, clinical simulation, and person-centered holistic care. In a developmental manner, students will progress from knowledge to proficiency in the eight core concepts. We are committed to providing our students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to succeed as competent, compassionate, and person-centered professional nurses.    

Core Concepts

• Clinical Judgment  
• Communication  
• Compassionate Care  
• Diversity, equity, inclusion  
• Evidence-based practice  
• Ethics  
• Health policy  
• Social determinates of Health  

Your support of the academic community is critical for its continued success. Gifts from our alumni and friends allow our faculty to mentor students in their research projects throughout the year and put our students in the best position to succeed by helping provide availability of the latest technology, research and teaching methods.

Your support makes a difference

Everyone needs a nurse at some point in their life, so please consider supporting the Commonwealth University Breiner School of Nursing with a monetary gift to help ensure that high quality nurses are there when you need them. Our nursing program is recognized as a leading accredited program, and it is also ranked as one of the most affordable in PA. Your donation can help increase funding for equipment, supplies, educational trips, and research opportunities that will enhance the critical thinking and technical skills of our students.

The Simulated Learning Lab (SLL) provides a learning environment for students to practice skills and critical thinking. The SLL contains numerous medium and high-fidelity adult and pediatric simulation manikins that allow students to critically assess and respond to varying patient situations they may not see in the clinical setting. The SLL also contains a simulated electronic patient record system for documentation practice and an automated medication dispensing system. The SLL is a vitally important environment for building confident nurses who can think critically.

Senior level students expand their political advocacy awareness by explaining the importance of being politically active and be competent in advocacy for patients and the profession in this ever-changing health care arena.  Additionally, Commonwealth University nursing students participate in community and public health fairs and programs providing education to various population aggregates, and your donation can assist in obtaining the materials needed for these educational projects.

Learn more about CU's Nursing Simulated Learning Labs.