About AUCON

Mission

To advance health and healthcare for all, through excellence in practice, teaching, research and outreach. 


AUCON Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement


The Auburn University College of Nursing works to cultivate a diverse and inclusive learning environment where different perspectives are recognized, respected, and seen as a source of strength. It is our intent that students from diverse backgrounds and cultures be well served by our courses, students’ learning needs be addressed both in and out of class, and the diversity that each student brings to our courses be viewed as a resource, strength, and benefit to the effectiveness of the group as a whole. It is with great intent that content, materials, and activities presented are respectful of diversity to include gender, sexuality, disability, age, socioeconomic status, political and religious views, ethnicity, race, and culture.


At the Auburn University College of Nursing, students will have the opportunity to express and experience cultural diversity as we focus on issues regarding cultural care for patients of diverse backgrounds. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities, to engage and learn from various cultures in the classroom, and embrace information and ideas shared by other students.


We ask that each person engage in discussion with care and empathy for the other members in the classroom. We ask that students engage in dialogue that may include disagreements while remaining cordial. In our courses, we will not shy away from the uncomfortable. We urge students to have the courage to be uncomfortable. In exchange for their courage, we will work to ensure a classroom environment that supports their taking part in discussions and learning.


Vision

To be nationally recognized as leaders in health, addressing the needs of diverse populations. 

Strategic Plan

Goal 1:  Elevated Auburn Experience
Inspire and prepare nursing students for life and careers
Goal 2: Transformative Research
Through independent and collaborative research, address health and healthcare issues in Alabama and beyond
Goal 3: Impactful Outreach and Service
Lead efforts to increase engagement with both public and private stakeholders
Goal 4: Exceptional and Engaged Faculty and Staff
Invest in outstanding people to advance the College of Nursing’s mission through recruitment, retention, development, support, recognition, and reward
Goal 5: Intentional Enrollment
Achieve a robust and diverse enrollment of students
Goal 6: Operational Excellence
Implement operational efficiency and effectiveness measures that continuously support a culture of high performance in all aspects of the College of Nursing 


Curricular Outcomes

Communication and Collaboration Skills
Collaborate and communicate effectively with health care team members, patients and patients’ support networks to implement patient-centered care including appropriate teaching for developmental stage, age, culture, and health literacy to ensure high quality outcomes. Use information technologies to assist in effective communication, facilitate patient care, and integrate evidence from all relevant resources to promote high quality patient outcomes within microsystems and greater healthcare systems.


Critical Thinking and Clinical Judgment in Clinical Practice
Demonstrate clinical judgment grounded in theories and concepts from liberal and nursing education in the delivery of efficient, safe, compassionate, and evidence- based care. Exhibit ethics, caring and accountability for patient outcomes in all aspects of professional nursing practice.


Scholarship for Evidenced Based Practice Skills
Implement evidence-based interventions to promote health, prevent disease and manage acute and chronic care of patients across the lifespan. Demonstrate consistent self-reflection techniques to identify learning needs especially in areas where knowledge is complex and changing rapidly.


Clinical Prevention and Population Health Skills
Implement patient-centered care emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention to individuals, families and populations reflecting an understanding of human growth and development, psychobiological factors, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and management across the health – illness continuum. Use clinical judgment with attention to effectiveness, efficacy, and equality in providing nursing care during disaster, mass casualty, and other emergency situations.


Diversity Skills
Demonstrate a wide range of knowledge, skills and attitudes including cultural awareness, humility, sensitivity and competency. Incorporate holistic assessments, awareness of values and spiritual beliefs in the delivery of quality patient and family centered, evidence-based care of diverse and vulnerable populations.


Leadership Skills
Demonstrate ethical and critical decision making skills, mutually respectful communication, collaboration, delegation, and conflict resolution techniques. Facilitate patient-centered transitions of care using leadership skills based on current evidence, ongoing assessment of outcome measures, quality improvement and safety initiatives. Coordinate and manage care for diverse individuals, families, groups and populations in order to maximize health, independence, and quality of life at the microsystem level. Demonstrate an understanding of the ambiguity and unpredictability of complex factors effecting health care such as health care policy, finance, and regulatory environments including local, national and global trend on equitable care of vulnerable populations.

Fast Fact

The Auburn University College of Nursing (AUCON) was established in 1979 and admitted the first class of 27 juniors in the fall quarter of that year. Most of the students were recruited from the pre-nursing curriculum in the School of Home Economics. There were five full-time faculty the first year. Twenty-four students graduated in the first class in 1981.

The first Dean of the School, Mary F. Woody, served from 1979 until 1984. Upon her resignation, Dr. Carol Thompson was named Acting Dean and served in that capacity during the 1984-85 school year. Dr. H. Terri Brower served as Dean from June 1985 until March 1988 when she assumed a faculty position. Mrs. Winifred H. Worman was named Acting Dean in March 1988 and remained through May 1989. Dr. Edeth Kitchens was appointed Dean in May 1989 and served in that position till June 1996. Upon her resignation, Dr. Eleanor Howell served as Interim Dean until August 1996. Dr. Charlotte V. Skelton was appointed Interim Dean from September 1996 until 1999. On Sep. 1, 1999, Dr. Barbara Witt assumed the position of AUSON Dean. On Jan. 1, 2010, Dr. Gregg Newschwander was appointed Dean.

In addition to the baccalaureate program, the AUCON offers a Master’s of Science in Nursing, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Nurse Educator certificates. An RN to BSN track and a Doctor Of Nursing Practice program began in 2018 and in 2020, a concurrent RN to BSN track began. 
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