University of New England

Baccalaureate Completion Program in Nursing

The decision to enter nursing was due to my desire to work in a field that integrated caring for those in need, science, and intellectual stimulation.

I graduated from an ADN nursing program in Ohio in 1983. Since graduation, I have worked in many areas of nursing, including: rehabilitation, medical-surgical, pediatric, oncology, postpartum, and medical, surgical, and cardiovascular intensive care. In spite of obtaining a wide variety of clinical experience and obtaining my CCRN, I felt a need to continue my education.

In May 2004, I graduated from the University of New England with a B.S.N. UNE has many strengths as a university. One of the most outstanding, in my experience, has been the faculty. Faculty members, in their instruction, have provided a broadened view of not only what nursing is, but what nursing can be in the future. The faculty is supportive and caring in their dealings with all students and have been exemplary in making me feel an integral and important contributor to the classroom.

UNE made it easy to be a returning student. Integration of instruction for all health care professions allows for greater understanding of each other's roles. The University's Integrated, Interdisciplinary Health and Healing Initiative (I2H2) was a welcome program, for a working nurse of 20 years, to see. Participating in this program was an exciting opportunity.

All of my classes contributed to not only my career, but my personal growth as well. Clinical experiences in my Health Education in the Community class had a positive impact on my professional development. Designing an educational program for fellow nurses helped me gain confidence in my professional life. For example, I am working on an article for publication detailing the nursing roles in the unit in which I work.

Currently, I am working with the new Heart and Vascular Institute at Central Maine Medical Center. As a cardiovascular surgical nurse in the Single Stay Unit, I am continuing my work of 11 years in critical care. Nursing has answered all of my career desires and continues to stimulate my need for intellectual development. UNE has answered that need extremely well. I will be entering UNE's Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia Program in the fall.