(1) The role of the associate degree nurse graduate is to provide direct care to clients, individuals, or groups, in a variety of structured settings with clear policies and procedures. Within this context, the curriculum must relate to the roles of the provider of the associate degree nurse as provider of care, manager of care, and member of the discipline of nursing.

(a) As a provider of care, the associate degree nurse must demonstrate the following:

(i) critical thinking;

(ii) accountability;

(iii) clinical decision-making through use of the nursing process;

(iv) effective communication with clients, families, and health team members;

(v) teaching and collaboration with the client and family;

(vi) collaboration with members of the health team; and

(vii) sensitivity to individual and cultural diversity.

(b) As a manager of care, the associate degree nurse must demonstrate the following:

(i) coordination of care for a group of clients using collaboration and consultation;

(ii) organization and delegation of nursing care;

(iii) information management;

(iv) client advocacy; and

(v) evaluation of health care delivery using client-centered outcomes.

(c) As a member of the discipline of nursing the associate degree nurse must demonstrate basic knowledge in the following:

(i) self-assessment and development and continuous learning;

(ii) ethical-legal framework for nursing practice;

(iii) advancement of nursing practice through professional activities;

(iv) political, economic, and societal forces affecting nursing practice and health care delivery; and

(v) health care change and nursing research.

(2) Nonnursing courses must provide graduates with basic knowledge in the relevant physical sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities.