School overview

The University of New England is pleased to announce that its Department of Nursing is expanding to form a school that reflects the program’s growth, its commitment to public health, and the meaningful and substantive grant funding awarded to the program. 

The UNE School of Nursing and Population Health will build upon the Nursing program’s previous work in providing access to nursing education and addressing critical workforce training needs to help nurses treat the state’s most vulnerable populations. 

The school houses the existing undergraduate nursing programs — a traditional four-year program and an accelerated program for those with prior bachelor’s degrees in other majors. In addition, we will look to expand to include a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), with tracks in public health nursing and leadership, and nursing education.

Degree programs

Accreditation

The University of New England's Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Contact ACEN 3343
Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850
Atlanta, Ga. 30326
(404) 975-5000
info@acenursing.org
www.acenursing.org

The program has also been approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing.

Report to Communities of Interest

Philosophy

Nursing, a caring art and science, encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness. Nurses use a variety of models to guide people of many cultures toward identifying their own health care and healing needs. Nurses model self-care while supporting people in their own pursuit of health. People are born with healing capacities with or without perception of these capacities although a cure is not always certain. The nurse as a health care resource is available to assist people to move toward and maintain health in their human experiences. The society in which the nurse functions are rapidly changing and is technologically oriented. Nurses use knowledge gained from client preferences and values, clinical expertise, and best research evidence as well as the integral process to guide their practice. The practice of nursing must be in accordance with established standards of clinical practice and the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics (ANA, 2001) and the Maine Nurse Core Competencies (MPNEP, 2012).

Health, a personally perceived state of wellbeing, is an ever-changing holistic interplay among the physiological, spiritual, psychological, social, cultural, cognitive and emotional dimensions of people. Our faculty believes that reflective practice is a continuous one wherein you develop a unique holistic awareness of self and how one’s self affects others. 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. Clients, as partners in their care, may be individuals, families, groups or communities. We value the uniqueness, worth, dignity, and integrity of all people and believe that each human being is a dynamic holistic system. 

The essence of professional nursing education lies in the integration of academic and clinical experience. Our faculty are committed to a foundation of study grounded in arts, sciences, and humanities that leads to Interprofessional and nursing education. The acquisition of competency-based knowledge, skills, and attitudes prepare future nurses to meet the healthcare needs of a diverse population. We believe that student-centeredness is the cornerstone to optimal learning and are committed to a supportive, caring, and interactive environment that takes into account the diversity of culture and experience that you bring to the learning situation. Learning is a collaborative process whereby you and faculty learn from each other, clients, peers, mentors, preceptors as well as other health care professionals.

Mission

The mission of the School of Nursing and Population Health is to facilitate the education of future professional nurses to be effective clinicians and leaders. As clinicians, you are prepared to promote the ability of all persons, families, and communities in attaining their highest level of wellness. As leaders, you are prepared to use research for evaluating and improving health care approaches and for continued study in nursing.

MEET OUR FACULTY AND PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Beautiful locations

As a student in our School of Nursing and Population Health traditional four-year undergraduate programs, you study on UNE's two Maine campuses, and you have opportunities to spend a semester abroad on our Morocco campus.

UNE’s scenic Biddeford Campus sits where the waters of the Saco River flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Recently named the youngest city in Maine, Biddeford and its twin city, Saco, boast an up-and-coming, hip downtown offering delicious eateries, exciting social and cultural events, and more. With the transformation of the old Biddeford/Saco mills into restaurants, breweries, housing, fitness facilities, salons, and retailers, there is something for everyone to explore in downtown.

While earning your Accelerated B.S. in Nursing, you will study on our historic Portland campus. Located in a quiet neighborhood just 10 minutes from downtown Portland, campus is close to major clinical sites, shopping, nightlife, cultural events, restaurants, the beaches, the harbor, walking and biking trails and much more. Named “America’s Most Livable City” by Forbes and “Foodiest Small Town in America” by Bon Appetit, Portland is the city on every list. A rustic port hosts a cool cultural scene — with outdoor adventure all around.

Biddeford Campus

Virtual Tour

Portland Campus

Virtual Tour