SWAG��Ƶ

Mission

The mission of the School of Nursing is to facilitate the education of students as safe clinicians and leaders. As professional nurses, students are prepared to promote the ability of individuals, families, and communities in attaining their highest level of wellness. As leaders, students are consumers of evidence-based practice and advocates for individuals, families, and communities.

Philosophy

Nursing is a caring art and science that encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of human responses to health and illness.The nurse serves in multiple capacities, using a variety of theoretical frameworks to guide individuals, families, and communities* of diverse cultures and backgrounds toward identifying their own needs for health care, healing, and health promotion, moving toward and maintaining health in their human experiences.

The environment in which the nurse functions is globally diverse, technologically oriented, and rapidly changing. Nursing care is informed by evidence-based practice that includes individual, family, and community preferences and values, clinical expertise, and best research evidence, as well as socio-political influences and issues of justice and equality. Professional nursing practice must be in accordance with established standards as outlined by the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics (ANA, 2015) and the Maine Nurse Core Competencies (MPNEP, 2013).

Professional nursing education is grounded in the integration of academic and experiential learning. A strong educational foundation rooted in the arts, sciences, and humanities enables nurses to improve health care delivery to individuals, families, and communities. The faculty is committed to a curriculum that encourages a diverse, global perspective, expanding each student’s professional identity and social conscience. The curriculum cornerstones of clinical judgment, professional values, and interprofessionalism prepare students to be safe and competent nurses. The acquisition of competency-based knowledge, skills, and attitudes prepares future nurses to meet the healthcare needs of diverse populations.

Learning is a collaborative process whereby students and faculty learn from each other, individuals, families, and communities, peers, mentors, and preceptors as well as other health care professionals. Reflective practice forms the basis for the development of sound clinical judgment necessary for the provision of safe, quality nursing care. Student centeredness is the cornerstone to optimal learning. Faculty are committed to a supportive, caring, and interactive environment that considers the diversity of culture and experience that students bring to the learning environment.

Self-care practices can positively impact student academic achievement, individual, family, and community outcomes, and perceived well-being. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for and become skilled in self-care to ensure personal health, emotional resiliency, and the ability to care for others. As future nurses, students have an ethical duty to care for their own health and safety in order to provide safe care for others.

*Individual, family, and community” is referred to as “client” by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), which also includes significant others and populations.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is an academically rigorous four (4)-year professional program. During the first four (4) semesters, students build a foundation of knowledge in science and humanities while also engaging in introductory coursework in nursing. The student begins the process of knowledge application from theory to actual practice utilizing the sciences and experiential learning.

During the last four (4) semesters, students are deeply immersed in nursing course work and experiential learning which emphasizes clinical judgment, health and human functioning, care and therapeutics, person and environment, and health care resources. Nursing skill laboratories, combined with simulation and clinical experiences, occur in a variety of acute care and community settings. These settings, serving diverse populations, actualize the process of integrating theory to practice.

Upon successful completion of the curriculum, The SWAG��Ƶ awards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and students may be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Graduation Requirements

A student in the four (4) year nursing major may elect to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Health Sciences. This degree is only open to matriculated students at the SWAG��Ƶ. Special permission from the student’s advisor, Director of Nursing, and the Dean of the Westbrook College of Health Professions is required for enrollment in the B.S. in Health Sciences.

Department Policies

Academic Integrity at SWAG��Ƶ

The SWAG��Ƶ values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty, in any form, undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the university community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy. Failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the School and Dean of the College and may result in a failing grade on the assignment and a maximum of dismissal from the SWAG��Ƶ. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

• Cheating, copying, or offering, receiving unauthorized assistance or information*
• Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers, reports, and patient care documents
• Actions that destroy or alter the work of another student
• Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor
• Plagiarism: 
  • The appropriation of records
  • Research materials
  • Ideas
  • Language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one’s own.

*The School of nursing considers the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in these instances as a form of academic dishonesty.

Please refer to the university Division of Student Affairs website for further information.

HIPAA Compliance

Prior to attending any experiential offering (clinical or community setting), it is mandatory that each nursing student documents yearly completion of the SWAG��Ƶ training program explaining their legal responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Under this regulation, nursing students are permitted to have access to Protected Health Information (PHI) only when observing and performing direct client/patient care as a part of their training and must follow approved HIPAA policies on usage of PHI. More detailed information is available in SWAG��Ƶ's School of Nursing Student Handbook, and will also be provided by the SWAG��Ƶ HIPAA training program. Students requiring further clarification are referred to the faculty of this course. Students must comply with requirements and expectations for appropriate storage and transmittal of client information. No PHI can leave a covered entity site unless it is de-identified. All HIPAA violations will be reported to the SWAG��Ƶ HIPAA Compliance Officer.

Student Access Center

The SWAG��Ƶ will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students need to register with the Student Access Center and inform their instructors of any academic accommodations. Timely accommodations are dependent on early registration with the Student Access Center. Further information is available through the Division of Student Affiars website. This office is located in the Student Access Center Building on the Biddeford Campus, (207) 602-2119 and Linnell Hall on the Portland Campus, (207) 221-4302.

WCHP Course and Instructor Evaluation Policy

Course and instructor evaluations are an important tool providing meaningful feedback to course faculty and evaluation of program outcomes. Students completing evaluations by the published deadline will have access to their semester grades once available. For those students who do not complete evaluations, grades will be masked for approximately two (2) weeks.

School of Nursing Academic and Progression Standards

Students accepted into the Westbrook College of Health Professions at the SWAG��Ƶ are subject to two (2) sets of academic standards, one (1) to meet minimum qualifications for ongoing enrollment at the SWAG��Ƶ and two (2) to meet specific School of Nursing program requirements.

Progression Requirements for Freshman and Sophomore Years (Semesters 1–4)

In keeping with the minimum standards identified in the SWAG��Ƶ student handbook, all students must achieve the minimum cumulative semester-end grade point average to meet University requirements found on the Academic Policy and Regulations catalog page.

• Students must maintain the minimum GPA requirements.
• Failure to maintain the required GPA will result in university academic probation as described in the catalog of the SWAG��Ƶ.
• Students must also achieve a minimum grade of C in the following courses: CHE 130, BIO 104, BIO 208, BIO 209, BIO 242, BIO 309 and NUTR 220. Failure to achieve a C will result in program-level probation and may affect academic progression and graduation date. This also applies to equivalent coursework transferred from other institutions.
  • Failure to earn a C or higher in any of the above laboratory-based science courses requires the student to repeat the course.
  • Failure to achieve a C or higher the second time a laboratory-based science course is taken will result in dismissal from the nursing major.
  • Students must achieve a minimum course grade of 77 (C+) in NSG 103 – Essentials in Nursing Knowledge and Practice and NSG 202 – Introduction to Nursing.
  • Students must have successfully completed all science, statistics, NSG 103 and NSG 202 coursework successfully in order to progress to the junior semester on the portland campus.
• A student may enroll in science or nursing courses listed above a maximum of two (2) times. Enrollment consists of receiving a letter grade. Receiving a W from a course is not considered being officially enrolled. A student may not withdraw (W) more than twice from a course.

Progression Requirements for Junior and Senior Years (Semesters 5–8)

• Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.50.
• Students must comply with requirements for attendance and professionalism (Tehcnical Standards, ANA Code of Conduct, NSNA Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct).
• Students must acknowledge and comply with the policies stated in SWAG��Ƶ and Nursing Student Handbooks.
• Students must obtain a minimum cumulative examination average of 77 (C+) in nursing courses with a clinical component in order to successfully progress through the program.
• Students must obtain an overall grade of 77 (C+) or higher in all non-clinical nursing courses in order to progress without interruption or delay.
• Students must receive Satisfactory (S) level of evaluation in the clinical or experiential setting for each nursing course with a clinical/experiential component. A final evaluation resulting in a Needs Improvement (NI) or Working Towards (WT) assigned to the clinical component, regardless of the grade in the classroom/didactic component of the course, will result in a failure of the course with a grade no higher than C and may interrupt program progression.
• If a student’s exam average in a clinical course is 77 (C+) or greater, their final grade will be determined by the calculation as stated in the syllabus for the course. If a student’s exam average is less than 77 (C+), the final grade will be determined by the exam grade average combined with the non-exam grades. If the exam grade average is less than 77, the final grade will be determined by the calculations as stated in the syllabus for the course; students will not receive higher than a C, but may receive less than a C according to the final calculations as stated in the course syllabus.
• Failure to obtain a minimum overall grade of 77 (C+) in any nursing course necessitates that the student repeats the course to achieve the minimum grade a maximum of one (1) time.
• A student may enroll in nursing courses a maximum of two (2) times. Enrollment consists of receiving a letter grade. Receiving a W from a course is not considered being officially enrolled. A student may not withdraw (W) more than twice from a course.

Dismissal from the Nursing Program at the 100- and 200-course level

A student may be dismissed from the nursing program for one (1) or more of the following:

• Violations of the academic integrity policies.
• Failure to maintain university required grade point average (GPA) in the WCHP Core Courses.
• Failure to achieve a grade of C+ or higher in NSG 103 and NSG 202 after a prior failure to achieve a satisfactory grade in the same course.
• Failure to achieve a grade of C or higher in a required science course after a prior failure to achieve a satisfactory grade in the same course.
• Failure to achieve a C in more than one science course will result in dismissal from the nursing major.
• A documented pattern of unprofessional behavior (Technical Standards, ANA Code of Conduct, NSNA Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct).

Dismissal from the Nursing Program at the 300- and 400-course level

A student may be dismissed from the nursing program for one (1) or more of the following:

• Violations of the academic integrity policies.
• Failure to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 2.50.
• Failure to achieve a grade of C+ or higher in any nursing course after a prior failure to achieve a satisfactory/passing grade in the same course.
• A criminal background finding which results in clinical partner refusal to admit to the facility for clinical education.
• Discovery of falsifification or omission of clinical background information on the application for admission.
• Failure to disclose pertinent criminal activity during course of enrollment in nursing program.
• Professional misconduct, including unsafe and unacceptable conduct, as stated in the Nursing Student Handbook (Technical Standards, ANA Code of Conduct, NSNA Code of Academic and Clinical Conduct).

Students dismissed from the nursing program related to academic deficiencies (low GPAl, failure of science courses or second failure of a nursing course) may file an Academic Appeal through an Academic Petition. Students must follow proper steps identified in the university student handbook.

Once submitted, faculty will submit a recommendation to the Director of the School of Nursing regarding decision on readmission to the nursing program. 

Technical Standards

Technical standards consist of functional abilities essential for the delivery of safe and effective nursing care. These basic abilities make up the core components of nursing practice. An increase risk of untoward consequences may result for clients cared for by nursing students who fail to demonstrate these functional abilities. In compliance with state and federal laws, nursing education programs must attend to these essential functional abilities in the teaching and evaluation of students preparing for the practice of nursing. This statement of technical standards identifies the functional abilities deemed by the Nursing Faculty in the School of Nursing at the SWAG��Ƶ to be essential to the practice of nursing, and as such, are reflected in the requirement for satisfactory progression through the program and in the performance-based outcomes which are the basis for teaching and evaluating all nursing students. The technical standards can be found in the School of Nursing Student Handbook.

Accreditation

The nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and is approved by the Maine State Board of Nursing. The ACEN can be contacted at 3343 Peachtree Rd. NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, G.A. 30326 (404) 975-5000.

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to

• Demonstrate the clinical judgment necessary for provision of safe, evidence-based nursing care that improves health outcomes for individuals, families, and communities (Clinical Judgment/Evidence-based Practice).
• Demonstrate use of information management and client care technology that supports the provision of safe, quality nursing care (Informatics).
• Demonstrate leadership principles that support effective health care delivery (Leadership).
• Demonstrate effective interprofessional communication and collaboration that contributes to safe, quality, team-based care (Interprofessionalism).
• Model professional values (ethical, moral, and legal tenets), including care of self, that are inherent in the practice of nursing (Professionalism/Self Care).

WCHP Core Values

• Academic Excellence and Lifelong Learning: Through a continuum of rigorous educational opportunities, the College ensures students achieve at the highest level of disciplinary proficiency and as members of diverse health teams. Academic priorities of critical reasoning, self-reflection, commitment to evidence-based practice, and cultural responsivity inspire curiosity and a commitment to lifelong learning.
• Integrity: We advance an interactive learning culture grounded in authenticity, accountability, adherence to ethical principles, and professionalism. These qualities provide an essential foundation for enduring academic, clinical, professional, and personal interactions.
• Service: We are committed to working together to serve the common good. Through local partnerships, service learning, and global endeavors, the College provides students with opportunities for meaningful community engagement, exploration of civic
  responsibility and reflection on complex problems facing society today.
• Relational Connectivity: Learning in the College takes place within a relationally-informed culture based in respect, caring, empathy, and compassion for all individuals, communities, and populations.
• Quality of Life and Well-being: We promote the broadest definition of health to include physical, emotional, spiritual, environmental, and planetary considerations. We believe attention to personal well-being promotes resilience, adaptability, perseverance, and fulfillment in current and future endeavors.
• Collaboration: Collaboration is an ethos of the Westbrook College of Health Professions, grounded in an interprofessional/interdisciplinary culture that encourages collegial exchange across programs and amongst all students. Intentional preparation for team-based care equips learners for 21st-century health practice and leadership.
• Cultural Diversity, Difference, and Inclusivity: We welcome diversity and celebrate differences among students, faculty, professional staff, clinical partners, and our extensive communities of interest. We believe that differences should not divide us; rather we perceive difference as adding richness to our living and learning environments. The College prioritizes cultural humility and curiosity throughout all educational offerings and campus life.

MAINE NURSE CORE COMPETENCIES

The Maine Nurse Core Competencies (2013) represent eleven (11) core competencies that guide the transformation of academic curricula and professional practice standards across the state of Maine.

Professionalism

Demonstrates accountability as a life-long learner for the delivery of evidence-based nursing care. Evaluates own practice that is consistent with ethical, moral, altruistic, humanistic, legal, and regulatory principles, and utilizes self-care to practice in a mindful manner.

Leadership

Demonstrates leadership in the professional practice setting through accountability, influence, change management, and collaboration with others in a way that will facilitate the establishment and achievement of shared goals.

Patient-Centered Care

Enters into a holistic, compassionate, respectful partnership with the patient and family that facilitates shared decision-making, recognizing consumer preferences, values, and needs in providing age and culturally appropriate, coordinated, safe, and effective care.

Evidence-Based Practice

Identifies, integrates, and evaluates current evidence and research findings coupled with clinical expertise and consideration of consumers' preferences, experience, and values to make practice decisions for quality outcomes.

Teamwork and Collaboration

Practices effectively with the healthcare consumer, family, and interprofessional teams, to build relationships and foster open communication, mutual respect, and shared decision-making.

Communication

Communicates effectively, fostering mutual respect and shared decision making to enhance knowledge, experience, and health outcomes.

Systems-Based Practice

Knowledgeable and responsive to the changing healthcare system and demonstrates the ability to access resources in a safe, effective, and financially responsible manner to provide value-based care.

Informatics and Technology

Demonstrates proficiency in the use of technology and information systems to communicate, manage knowledge, mitigate error, and to support decision making for safe practice.

Safety

Utilizes clinical reasoning and critical thinking that drives a culture of safety to prevent risk of harm to healthcare consumers, families, colleagues, and the environment.

Quality Improvement

Contributes to evidenced-based nursing practice by participating in improvement strategies/processes including the use of data to design, implement, and evaluate outcomes to improve the quality and safety of healthcare systems.

Geriatrics

Values the unique psychosocial, physical, and cultural attributes of the older adult in order to promote healthy aging and provide safe and effective care.

Interprofessional Competencies (2023)

Values and Ethics

Work with team members to maintain a climate of shared values, ethical conduct, and mutual respect.

Roles and Responsibilities

Use the knowledge of one’s own role and team members’ expertise to address individual and population health outcomes.

Interprofessional Communication

Communicate in a responsive, responsible, respectful, and compassionate manner with team members.

Teams and Teamwork

Apply values and principles of the science of teamwork to adapt one’s own role in a variety of team settings.

Non-nursing courses completed at another accredited college/university may be transferred to this degree program and must meet the SWAG��Ƶ School of Nursing grading requirement policy. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at SWAG��Ƶ in order to be considered as equivalent-otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must not be older than five (5) years and receive prior approval by the course Program Director.

Other restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions for more information.

Applicants to the Nursing 4-year B.S.N. program must meet general admission requirements of the SWAG��Ƶ, have a high school diploma or GED, have completed four (4) years of high school English, two (2) years of high school math including Algebra I, two (2) years of college-preparatory science including chemistry and biology. Applicants should have a high school grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.2 for English/language arts, and math and science combined.

Clinical Placement Requirements

SWAG��Ƶ Immunization Requirements

• Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td) (< 10 years ago)
• Attenuated Pertussis (Whooping cough)
• Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR) proof of two (2) vaccinations or proof of positive immunity
• Hepatitis B (series and proof of positive immunity)
• Varicella (chicken pox) proof of two (2) vaccinations or proof of positive immunity
• Tuberculin Skin Testing (two (2)-step test on admission)

Students must provide proof of above immunizations to the Student Health Center.

School of Nursing Additional Immunization Requirements (Junior/Senior year):

• Annual Influenza Vaccination
• 10 panel drug screen*
• COVID 19 baseline series including booster (no annual requirement thereafter)
• Criminal Background Check
• Basic Life Support CPR through American Heart Association (only) at the Healthcare Provider level
• HIPAA training modules through the SWAG��Ƶ HIPAA Compliance Office (annual)
• Ability to meet Technical Standards per Student Handbook

*Students with positive drug screen or background check may be dismissed from nursing program if denied entrance to clinical partner site(s).

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees from year to year may vary. Expenses include course resources, housing, travel to clinical or experiential sites, nursing equipment and more. Further questions related to tuition and college expenses should be directed to Student Financial Services.

Equipment

Students are responsible for the costs of the following required items upon beginning clinical/experiential placements: uniforms, shoes, nametag, watch with a second hand, dual-head stethoscope, adult blood pressure cuff, and penlight. A comprehensive list will be provided ahead of clinical rotations. 

Transportation

Nursing students are responsible for their own transportation to clinical facilities and experiential events throughout the program.

Commencement Activities

Commencement activity expenses include the cost of the cap and gown for the university commencement ceremony (graduation). 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 Student Financial Services Office at the University Campus. For more information please visit the Student Financial Services website.