AUGUSTA — The University of Maine at Augusta registered nurse to bachelor of science in nursing program has recieved continuing accreditation for eight years with no conditions from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
The accreditation is the culmination of self-study and written report by the academic program, a site visit by peer evaluators in fall of 2018, the recommendation of the ACEN Evaluation Review Panel and a final vote by the Board of Commissioners.
“We are very pleased with this continuing accreditation,” said Lynne King, UMA professor of nursing and program coordinator. “UMA’s RN Completion Program, which is an endorsed holistic nursing education program by AHNCC, one of only 12 schools in the country, is an important program for registered nurses with an associate degree who want to earn a BSN and expand their career options.”
King said, “The BSN completion allows individuals to adapt to the changing nature of health care and health care roles, integrate the new science of informatics into their practice, and seek careers in professional leadership positions.”
“Congratulations to the faculty and staff of the Nursing program,” said UMA President Rebecca Wyke. “Their continual efforts in improving the program were instrumental to receiving this reaccreditation. With a combination of fully online and blended learning courses, the RN to BSN program is an excellent example of UMA’s mission of providing access to high-quality distance and on-site education.”
UMA’s Nursing Program integrates a liberal arts general education core within the holistic nursing curriculum, thereby providing the skills that transform and prepare students for expanded nursing practices, including positions in leadership and management. This approach is in keeping with the University’s mission to transform student lives through high-quality education in professional and liberal arts programs.
RN to BSN students can earn maximum credit at UMA for prior learning through transfer credit, testing, portfolio review, and external training certification; many students in this program earn their BSN in about two years. Upon completing the degree, these nursing graduates have the appropriate knowledge and skills to advance in their current clinical or community practice setting, pursue new career opportunities in the field, or to pursue an advanced degree.
