Mission & Vision

Mission

The mission of the College of Nursing is to develop a diverse community of nurse leaders who advance interprofessional, equitable, and ethical care. We do this through excellence in teaching, implementation science, strong partnerships, and service to others.

Vision

Our vision is to build a nursing workforce to meet the demands of an evolving healthcare landscape while advancing health equity and holistic well-being for Lake County, the nation, and the global population.

Improving Nursing Starts Locally

Lake County, just north of Chicago, Illinois, is home to several major healthcare systems, a large public health department, a Federal Health Care Center and the corporate headquarters of major biopharmaceutical companies. But it’s never had a college of nursing — until now, that is.

RFU’s College of Nursing is the result of several years of planning and building relationships with various strategic local partners. Of particular importance are the healthcare systems that need nurses in the ER, for critical care, pediatrics, maternity, mental health and many other areas of service. These include Northwestern Medicine, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, NorthShore University Health System, the Lake County Health Department and the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center.

Academic partners also include neighboring Lake Forest College and the College of Lake County, in addition to business, government and community organizations from across Lake County. Community partners include Lake County Partners and Lake County government, among others.

Our shared vision of nursing leadership:

• Addresses nursing profession shortages both locally and nationally
• Builds diversity among future nursing professionals
• Improves healthcare access and quality for the communities in Lake County and neighboring McHenry County

Strategic Goals

Sustainability and Growth

Goal 1: Create multi-entry options and innovative pathways to create access to our programs that generate revenue, serve our interprofessional mission, are feasible and sustainable, and provide growth through both degree and non-degree offerings. (RFUMS Goals 1.1, 1.5, 1.6, 3.4)

Goal 2: Use best-practice learning/teaching approaches to achieve excellent student outcomes. (RFUMS Goals 1.1, 1.2)

Goal 3: Increase faculty grant productivity and other scholarly work. (RFUMS Goal 1.1)

Wellness and Safety

Goal 4: Create safe and inclusive work and learning environments that focus on the wellness and resilience of all. (RFUMS Goal 2.1)

Access and Equity

Goal 5: Actively foster an organizational culture that provides equitable access, honors unique contributions, and creates a sense of belonging among students and alumni, faculty, and staff. (RFUMS Goal 3.1)

Goal 6: Promote access through financial support of students in high need. (RFUMS Goals 3.5, 2.6)