As a leader in professional nursing, outreach, and rural health, the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing (FWWSON) promotes and protects health through education, scholarship and service.
The school aspires to be a leader in nursing and health care in the State of Wyoming by providing state-of-the-art nursing education in the classroom and in the clinical arena.
The school aspires to expand the professional nursing workforce in the state and region through partnerships with clinical facilities and other educational institutions to increase access to and streamline the process of nursing education from baccalaureate to doctoral education.
Finally, the school will provide research support and expertise on the UW campus and throughout the state to enhance the quality of health and health care.
The State of Wyoming is predominantly rural with many communities meeting the federal definition of frontier. The University of Wyoming is the only institution in the state that offers baccalaureate and graduate education in nursing. As a leader in professional nursing, outreach, and rural health, the FWWSON programs are designed to address the health and nursing care needs of rural clients, families, and communities.
Professional nurses provide caring, safe, and competent care within their scope of practice. Professional nurses are effective communicators who provide client-centered care across the lifespan in collaboration with the client and members of the interprofessional team. Client advocacy is grounded in ethical principles that demonstrate respect for diversity and embrace cultural humility.
Professional nurses practice evidence based nursing. To inform and guide practice decisions, professional nurses manage data, information, and technology. Professional nurses are committed to continued quality improvement in nursing and health care. As leaders in the discipline, nurses participate in political and regulatory processes to improve and shape the future of health care delivery.
Health is understood as a human experience encompassing both wellness and illness. Health promotion, disease prevention, and risk reduction are critical elements in professional nursing care provided to clients, families, and communities.
Undergraduate and graduate nursing students are individuals who come with diverse learning needs and unique personal and professional goals. Faculty strive to empower students as self-directed learners through a teaching/learning partnership. Graduates are encouraged to be critical, inquiring, and independent thinkers in the life-long acquisition of new knowledge. Faculty assume a mentor role by modeling scholarship and excellence in nursing practice.
