Person is an individual, a family, or a community who is a multidimensional being with intrinsic worth and free will. People have unique characteristics, yet share with others the need for physiologic well-being, safety, love and belonging, esteem and recognition, and self-actualization. Although people differ in their capabilities, options, attitudes, and values, their shared concerns are expressed through the regulation of mutually agreed upon human behaviors that are necessary to maintain group cohesiveness. Within these identified boundaries, persons are free to maximize their potential.

"'Health is a state of complete mental, social, and physical well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" (World Health Organization, 1986). Health, which is affected by development environment and life style choices, requires access to resources that prevent illness and promote, maintain, and restore health and wellness.

Nursing is the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness. Using the nursing process, nurses perform deliberative, knowledgeable acts that promote, maintain, and restore health and wellness and prevent disease and disability. Nursing coordinates interdisciplinary health care through effective leadership, communication, client advocacy and research utilization. Health care is improved by nurses who practice, conduct research, translate research findings into practice, and influence health policies.

Environment includes all of those variables, both internal and external, that influence the health of persons. Environment influences both the duration and quality of life because of the constant interaction between people and their many environments.