The philosophical foundations of the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Baccalaureate Nursing Program are based on the belief that caring is the essence of nursing. Students are unique individuals with differing backgrounds, needs, and interests, and have the freedom and responsibility to make considered choices. Nursing faculty subscribe to the belief that professional nurses must have a solid foundation in the arts, sciences, and humanities that provides a reservoir of knowledge from which to draw when making critical clinical decisions in the roles of care provider or care coordinator (A.A.C.N., Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing, 2008).