Nature of Humanity
Individuals are holistic in nature. They are unique biopsychosocial, cultural, and spiritual beings who possess dignity, worth, and the right to self-determination. Individuals operate within a unique framework based on inherent factors, values, cultural heritage, ethnic background, and personal life experiences. Each person has the ability to seek personal meaning for their lives, manage their own care, adapt to change, and strive to meet their optimal level of functioning.

Nursing
Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to actual or potential health problems. Nursing is a dynamic, evolving discipline that involves application of knowledge from the arts and sciences as well as technical skills. The practice of nursing provides an essential service to clients across the lifespan, families, and individuals within a variety of community settings. Evidence based nursing interventions are directed toward disease prevention, wellness promotion, health maintenance, and restoration of health, or the creation of an environment supportive of a dignified death. 

Nurses function in a variety of health care settings as teachers, communicators, coordinators, and decision makers. Nurses serve as advocates, collaborators, and leaders working toward the provision of appropriate resources and availability of complete basic health care for all individuals. Through nurse-client collaboration, caring, and empathy, the health needs of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and lifestyles are addressed in order to promote optimal levels of functioning

In an ever-changing health care system, nurses make complex decisions, adapt to new situations, utilize technology, and continually update knowledge and skills. Nursing process and critical thinking are the basis for the nurse’s application and use of knowledge and experience in making ethical clinical decisions. The ethics of nursing contributes to moral choices based on legal and ethical principles.