University of New England

Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.)

College: Health Professions

Department: Nursing and Health Science Management

Contact: Karen Pardue, M.S., B.S.N., B.C. (Director) kpardue@une.edu

The philosophy of the Department of Nursing is consistent with the mission and goals of the University of New England and based on faculty maintained values and beliefs. Nursing, a caring art and science, encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness. The faculty believes that nursing not only involves using a problem solving process to guide people in identifying their own health care needs but also involves supporting people in the decisions they make about their health. Nurses assume many roles as they work collaboratively with clients, families, and other health care professionals in providing care. These multiple roles include being an advocate, a teacher, a caregiver, a counselor, a case manager, a leader, a change agent, and a researcher. As a health care resource, nurses are available to people to assist them in attaining and maintaining health. Since the health care environment in which nurses' function is rapidly changing, and technologically oriented, nurses use knowledge gained from theory, research and clinical experience to guide their practice.

The faculty believes the practice of nursing must be in accordance with established standards of clinical nursing practice and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics. The outcomes of nursing practice include the prevention of illness; the promotion, support, and restoration of health; and the preparation for a dignified death incorporating independent, interdependent, and dependent care models. We believe that clients, as partners in their care, may be individuals, families, groups, or communities. As such, we value the uniqueness, worth and integrity of all people and believe that each human being is a dynamic holistic system. Holism is viewed as the integration of spiritual, physical, emotional, social, cultural, and cognitive dimensions. As people grow and develop they strive to meet the needs of these interconnected dimensions to achieve a sense of harmony and balance between self and environment. The environment is a dynamic set of internal and external systems. The faculty view health as a personally perceived state of well being. Health is an ever-changing interplay among the spiritual, physical, social, cultural, and emotional dimensions of people. As a concept, health applies to individuals, families, groups, communities, and all of society.

The essence of professional nursing lies in the academic experience, which provides the foundation for intellectual inquiry. The process of learning is a continuous one wherein the student develops a unique understanding of theories and concepts from the natural and behavioral sciences as well as the liberal arts. The acquisition of this knowledge moves from simple to more complex and is evidenced by the student's integration of theory into practice at all levels. The faculty, committed to liberal arts education as fundamental for the development of critical thinking, decision making, and communication skills, strives for a balance between arts, sciences, humanities, and professional studies. Optimal learning occurs in a supportive, caring and interactive environment, which takes into account the diversity of culture and experience that students bring to the learning situation. We believe that education is a partnership between student and teacher, where the teacher serves as a facilitator and guide. Student learning is a collaborative one whereby students learn from clients, peers, mentors, preceptors, as well as faculty. Faculty is receptive to individual student needs, flexible to individual learning styles, and committed to a continuum of nursing education, which begins with the associate degree and culminates with the doctoral degree.

Finally, the faculty believes that the availability of multiple entry and exit points in professional education is critical for students to meet varied career aspirations. The nursing programs of the University of New England provide the foundation for students to move from novice toward expert practice within the profession and allows students to explore expanded professional role opportunities.

UNE's 2 + 2 nursing education model was developed to address the needs of both traditional and non-traditional students. There are opportunities to enter the program at multiple points depending upon prior education and experience:

1. Students can enter the program in the first year and earn an associate degree at the end of the second year. After passing the licensing exam students can begin working as a registered nurse (RN) and at the same time continue their education as they pursue a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). See  Associate of Science: Nursing (ADN) if you are not currently a RN.
2. RN's who have graduated from an associate degree or diploma program may return to school to continue their professional development at the beginning of the third year. This also applies to UNE students as outlined in (1). Successful completion of the third and fourth years earns the student a BSN.

The RN to BSN program is for current registered nurses seeking the BSN.

The Nursing Program at the University of New England is uniquely designed to both facilitate growth for current nursing professions holding the RN degree as well as training entry level students into the profession of nursing. Students seeking the BSN with no prior nursing experience should see the Associate of Science: Nursing (ADN). The UNE Nursing Program utilizes Patricia Benner's theoretical concepts of caring and the delivery of nursing care within the seven domains of nursing practice as the curricular framework. Utilization of this model provides for a strong relationship between nursing theory and practice. In addition, foundational courses within the program employ Maslow as a conceptual basis for care planning and problem solving.

The RN to BSN courses are designed for current registered nurses who embrace the opportunity to broaden and enhance current knowledge and skills, acquire knowledge in the theory and practice of nursing, increase career opportunities and provide the credentials necessary for graduate education. Delivered through both didactic and clinical components, the curriculum includes advanced courses leading to competencies in the areas of nursing theory, research, assessment, critical thinking, health care of groups and communities, health care delivery, finance, leadership and management, and teaching and learning.

During this time, nursing course work meets on a compressed schedule, generally one day per week. This format allows the student to continue practicing as a registered nurse and encourages the individual to apply concepts presented in the classroom to actual clinical practice.

Upon completion of the program, the student is awarded the baccalaureate of science in nursing (BSN) degree. Graduates of the program are prepared to participate in the health care delivery system in the role of direct care provider to groups and communities, researcher, manager and leader, family and community health educator, change agent, and interdisciplinary collaborator and coordinator.

Throughout the program, the following concepts are consistent threads in all nursing courses:

This unique two-year nursing program represents an opportunity for RN's to obtain the BSN degree and enhance knowledge and skills, acquire new knowledge in the theory and practice of nursing, and increase career opportunities. The program provides the student with both classroom and experiential learning opportunities and includes a balance between professional study and study in the arts and sciences. In keeping with the University of New England philosophy of general education, which values an interdisciplinary conceptual and integrated approach to the educational process, the student in the last two years of study is exposed to different ways of knowing through further study and exploration of social sciences, natural sciences and the humanities.

Students who successfully complete the baccalaureate nursing degree are well prepared to enter any master's degree nursing program, including the Master of Science - Nurse Anesthesia Program, offered at the University of New England.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students will be able to:

1. discuss Nursing Theory with a focus on Patricia Benner’s model as it relates to nursing practice, education and research.
2. integrate nursing, the physical and behavioral sciences with the humanities to formulate professional, personal, organizational and community concepts of health and wellness.
3. participate in the scholarly research process at Benner’s novice level of practice from the perspective of consumer to researcher.
4. develop reflective use of creative and critical thinking skills, strategies and processes in professional, personal, scholarly and organizational life.
5. demonstrate an understanding of diversity and its effect upon the human experience.
6. demonstrate effective communication skills, which enhance personal, professional and scholarly life.
7. operationalize the nursing process within Benner’s definition of health for individuals, families, groups and communities.
8. apply concepts and principles of teaching, learning and health promotion to Benner’s domain of teaching/coaching to designated populations.
9. participate in the leadership / management process within Benner’s organizational work role domain of practice.
10. develop knowledge of self in order to make ethical and therapeutic decisions as a baccalaureate prepared nurse.
11. collaborate effectively with other disciplines in structural and semi-structural health care settings.

Accreditation
The program is fully accredited by the National League of Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLN-AC) and is approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing.  The NLN can be contacted at 61 Broadway, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10006 1-800-669-9656 x153.

1. Meet all University general admission requirements:
   
   See University Undergraduate Admissions.
2. Graduation from an NLN-accredited associate degree or diploma program or the equivalent or advancement from the UNE first two years after successfully passing the national nursing licensure examination.
3. Graduation from a nursing curriculum approved by the Ministry of Health if applying to the program offered at the branch campus in Israel.
4. Licensure as a registered nurse. (copy of license)
5. Minimum GPA of 2.50.

Health Information Requirements

1. Current CPR certification (CPR for Health Professionals).
2. Completed health form, with proof of tuberculin testing, measles/rubella immunity, and Hepatitis B vaccine or titer (if not presently on file) are submitted to the Health Center.
3. Professional liability (malpractice) insurance ($1,000,000 - $3,000,000 coverage is required).
4. Current RN License.

See University Undergraduate Admissions also.

1. ADN and RN candidates for the BSN Completion Program will be given full credit for their prior course work, up to a maximum of 60 credits. These credits fulfill all pre-requisite course requirements for the third and fourth year courses. Evidence of the maintenance of clinical competence, usually through current employment, must be provided.
2. Academic credits are transferable if a grade of “C” or better was earned.
3. Diploma-based candidates who are active in the practice of nursing will be awarded 30 credits for nursing courses, up to a maximum of 60 transfer credits.
4. Diploma-based candidates, not actively participating in the practice of nursing, may submit a portfolio for transfer of nursing credits upon completion of the Health Assessment course in the fall semester. An alternative mechanism for transfer of nursing credit is to take the NLN Mobility II exam, if not active in practice.

See University Undergraduate Admissions also.

*Credit for developmental coursework is not reflected in the minimum total credits required for degree completion.

A student may be dismissed from the nursing program for any of the following reasons:

Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.

Lab Fees
Laboratory fees are assessed in individual courses that incorporate the skills laboratory and the human patient simulator laboratory.

Equipment
Students are responsible for the costs of the following required items: Uniforms and lab jacket; name tag; bandage scissors; watch indicating seconds; stethoscope.

Transportation
Nursing students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical facilities throughout the program.

Pinning Ceremony
Graduation expenses include a departmental pinning ceremony in May. Expenses include the acquisition of a uniform and a school pin. These expenses vary each year. Students may inquire in the nursing office for an estimate of current costs.

Financial Aid
Detailed information and applications are available on request from the Financial Aid Office at the University Campus. Call 207-602-2342 or visit the Financial Aid website.

A total of 123 hours of credit with a 2.0 GPA or above is required for the bachelor of science in nursing degree. At the branch campus in Israel, where students typically enroll in English as a Second Language coursework, a total of 121-130 credits with a G.P.A. of 2.0 or above is required for the bachelor of science in nursing degree.
See Academic Policy and Regulations also.

Department of Nursing Faculty

Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog

This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the University of New England for the 2006-2007 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication August 1, 2006.

The University of New England reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.

While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.