1. Nursing: The faculty views nursing as an art and a science. The art of nursing is the expression of nurturing, caring, and comforting. Science is the application of relevant theory, practice, and principles. The nurse uses professional communication to integrate the application of knowledge and the maintenance of individuality and culture in providing services to individuals and families.
2. Humanity: Persons are physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual beings. The faculty teaches this holistic approach to the person throughout the curriculum. Nursing courses emphasize assessment of individuals and their potential for growth. Liberal arts courses and the biological sciences provide the student with a foundation to understand the dimensions of the individual.
3. Environment: Environment includes internal and external elements that affect the individual. Nursing focuses on the person(s) in relation to their total environment. There is constant interaction between internal and external environments; it is impossible to separate the person from the environment.
4. Health/Illness: Health and illness are dynamic and ever changing throughout the lifespan. They are separate but may co-exist as is represented by a continuous line called the health-illness continuum. This continuum spans high level wellness, common health problems, and severe illness and death.

We support the GCC Principles of Education in that we value the process of learning as much as the knowledge gained. Nursing education is a life-long learning process which continually provides for the acquisition and application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The faculty affirms the individuality of each student, the complexity of their life experiences, and their ability to actively participate in the learning process.

We believe that each encounter with students in the learning environment should engage compassion and concern.