The Nursing Department functions within the policies of the Governing Board of the Hospital and our nursing philosophy is consistent with the Hospital's mission statement. We believe that Pattie A. Clay is the center for health services in our area. Our code of ethics, based on the ANA Code of Ethics, establishes that inherent in the nursing process is respect for life, dignity, privacy and the rights of mankind.

The Nursing Department of Pattie A. Clay Regional Medical Center believes that nurses make a difference in the overall outcome of a patient's response to illness.

Care is provided in a culturally sensitive environment. Caring is the central and unifying focus of nursing. We recognize that the person is at the core of our nursing practice, and that the nurse/patient relationship is the framework for our practice.

Compassion, protecting patients from harm, teaching patients, health counseling, promoting health and maintaining wellness can be and is an important function of the nursing department. This has a strong influence on the patient’s health status during illness or impairment, but also in maintaining a state of wellness. As we draw on nursing's strong scientific knowledge base, compassion is the hallmark of the caring we provide. We strive to make the patient's concerns the number one priority. We believe in the individual worth and needs of the patient, family and significant others.

At Pattie A. Clay, we believe this continuum of care can best be realized when care is given by licensed nurses who are prepared and credentialed to render the highest quality of care and that all nurses and units should be involved in quality improvement activities.

We believe in insisting on high standards of practice by continuing professional and educational advancement and enrichment of the employees who render patient care. We also believe that employees are essential members of the health care team that strives to provide the highest quality patient/family care to those who are suffering and/or in need of services.