The Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree prepares graduates for entry-level nursing practice as nurse generalists. Guided by the Franciscan Values and Catholic Social Teaching students learn the value of service, lifelong learning and caring behaviors as the foundation for professional nursing. The nursing roles of provider of care, manager of care and active member of the discipline are emphasized as students progress through the curriculum. Students integrate concepts from physical, social and behavioral sciences and humanities with nursing knowledge and evidence-based practice. Using the nursing process as a critical thinking framework, students provide safe, accurate and individualized nursing care to select individuals and groups with health needs or common well-defined health problems. Students learn about care for a variety of patient populations across the life span and the health care continuum in acute care, long-term care and community based settings. The curriculum provides an academic background which serves as the basis for continuing education and ongoing personal and professional growth. After completing the degree, graduates are eligible to apply for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).