SWAG��Ƶ

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

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 well being, is an ever-changing holistic interplay among the physiological, spiritual, psychological, social, cultural, cognitive and emotional dimensions of people.  Faculty believes that reflective practice is continuous one wherein the student develops 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.  Faculty 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. 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. Faculty 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 students bring to the learning situation. Learning is a collaborative process whereby students and faculty learn from each other, clients, peers, mentors, preceptors as well as other health care professionals.

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is an academically rigorous 16-month professional program for highly motivated and committed students who already have a bachelors degree in a discipline other than nursing. The ABSN program is designed to run continuously for 16 months and totals 69 credits. Entry to the program is predicated upon applicants having successfully completed a prior baccalaureate degree (not in nursing), completion of program pre-requisite course work within the previous 5 years,* a minimum GPA of 3.2 or higher in science and math, and achievement of other requirements for admission to the University.  Background checks and certain health requirements are mandated by the SWAG��Ƶ and clinical partners who support experiential education within the program.  The ABSN Program mirrors the Department of Nursing's vision, mission, philosophy and program outcomes for BSN education.

Students build on previous academic foundations and are able to engage quickly in nursing course work and clinical experiences that emphasize 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 hospital 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 are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN®).

Graduation Requirements

DEPARTMENT POLICIES

Academic Integrity Policy

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 dean of the appropriate College and, if upheld, will result at minimum 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 the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
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, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one’s own.

 HIPAA Compliance

Prior to attending any clinical experience, it is mandatory that each nursing student document yearly completion of the SWAG��Ƶ training program explaining their legal responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)in addition to Nursing department training that highlights specific clinical environment examples/scenarios. 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 the SWAG��Ƶ Department 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. 

Office for Students with Disabilities

The SWAG��Ƶ will make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Students need to register with Disability Services and inform their instructors of any academic accommodations. Timely accommodations are dependent on early registration with Disability Services. This office is located in Stella Maris 131 on the Biddeford Campus (-207-602-2815) and on the Lower Level of Ginn Hall on the Portland Campus (T-207-221-4418).

WCHP Course & Instructor Evaluation Policy

Course and instructor evaluations are one of the most important tools that we have for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to course instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from everyone, so course evaluations are a required element of every course. Students who complete all their evaluations on time will have access to their grades as soon as they are available. For those students who do not complete their evaluations, grades will be masked for approximately two weeks.

DEPARTMENT OF NURSING ACADEMIC AND PROGRESSION STANDARDS

Students accepted to the WCHP at the SWAG��Ƶ are subject to two sets of academic guidelines, one to meet minimum qualifications for ongoing enrollment at the SWAG��Ƶ and the other to meet specific program requirements.

• Students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.50
• Students must comply with requirements for attendance and professionalism.
• Student must comply with policies stated in SWAG��Ƶ and Nursing Student Handbooks.
• Students must obtain a minimum examination final average of 77 (C+) in all nursing courses in order to continue to progress through the program.
• Students must obtain a C or better in the required science course of pathophysiology 
• Students must obtain a 77 (C+) in all nursing courses in order to continue to progress through the program.
• Students must meet the competencies for satisfactory completion of the clinical component of each nursing course. An unsatisfactory grade (U) in clinical, regardless of the grade in the theoretical component of the course, will result in a course grade no higher than C. In addition, a student cannot progress to the next clinical nursing course.
• If student’s exam average is 77 (C+) or greater, his/her final grade will be determined by the calculation as stated in the syllabus for the course. If student’s exam average is less than 77 (C+), the final grade will be determined by the calculation as stated in the syllabus for the course, but not to exceed a C regardless of the earned average.
• Failure to obtain a minimum grade of 77 (C+) in any nursing course would necessitate that the student repeat the course to achieve the minimum grade. A student may enroll in a nursing course twice. 
• Failure to obtain a minimum grade of C in the required science course of pathophysioloty as described above would necessitate that the student repeat that course until a C is obtained as a final grade.

DISMISSAL FROM THE NURSING Program

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

• Violations of the academic integrity policies
• Violation of the American Nurses Association “Code for Nurses” guidelines for ethical practice, or the National Student Nurses’ Association “Code of Academic and Clinical conduct.”
• Following admission and enrollment, discovery of dishonest proclamation of self report of crime on application following criminal background discovery.
• Failure to maintain a grade point average (GPA) of 2.50
• Failure to achieve a grade of C+ or higher in a nursing course 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 pathophysiology science course after a prior failure to achieve a satisfactory grade in the same course.
• A documented pattern of unprofessional behavior.

Students dismissed from the nursing program related to academic deficiencies (low GPA or second failure of a nursing course) may petition the nursing faculty for readmission if they wish to reenter the program. Faculty will make a recommendation to the Director of the Nursing Department regarding readmission to the nursing program.

Students dismissed from the program may initiate an appeal process as documented in the SWAG��Ƶ student manual. Students wishing to appeal an issue should refer to the SWAG��Ƶ Student Handbook “Academic and Disciplinary Appeals Policy”.

TECHNICAL STANDARDS

Technical standards are all of the nonacademic functional abilities essential for the delivery of safe, effective nursing care. These basic abilities make up the core components of nursing practice, and there is a high probability that untoward consequences may result for clients cared for by nurses who fail to demonstrate these 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 at the SWAG��Ƶ to be essential to the practice of nursing, and as such are reflected in satisfactory progression through the nursing program and in the performance-based outcomes which are the basis for teaching and evaluating all nursing student.

Nursing Program Technical Standards

Accreditation

The Nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). Further information can be obtained from ACEN at 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30326. 1-404-975-5000, .  Programs leading to RN licensure are also approved by The Maine State Board of Nursing.

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

1. Integrate the knowledge and science of nursing with the natural/behavioral sciences, the humanities and interprofessional education to provide holistic care for individuals, families, groups, communities or populations. 
2. Demonstrate the capacity to practice nursing using an evidence-based and theoretically guided framework. 
3. Model professional values as a nurse which reflect the integration of ethical and moral principles, social advocacy and legal standards in delivering quality care to all people. 
4. Utilize data from diverse sources with knowledge and skill in informatics and patient care technology to promote safety and optimal outcomes of care. 
5. Distinguish the components of nursing leadership and management as applied to healthcare organizations and healthy work environments. 
6. Model principles of self care while supporting the health and well being of diverse individuals, families, groups, communities or populations. 
7. Demonstrate basic knowledge of the issues concerning health care delivery to diverse individuals, families, groups, communities or populations. 

WCHP CORE VALUES:

Compassion, Collaboration, Leadership, Critical Thinking, Health and Wellness

MAINE NURSE CORE COMPETENCIES:

1. Professionalism-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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Teamwork and Collaboration-Practices effectively with the healthcare consumer, family, and interprofessional teams, to build relationships and foster open communication, mutual respect, and share decision-making.
6. Communication-Communicates effectively, fostering mutual respect and shared decision making to enhance knowledge, experience, and health outcomes.
7. Systems-Based Practice-responsive and knowledgeable 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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.

CORE COMPETENCIES FOR INTERPROFESSIONAL COLLABORATIVE PRACTICE:

1. Values and ethics for interprofessional practice.
2. Roles and responsibilities for collaborative practice
3. Interprofessional communication
4. Interprofessional teamwork and team-based care

Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at SWAG��Ƶ in order to count as exact equivalents.  Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives.  All courses completed must be no older than five years.  Other restrictions apply.  See Undergraduate Admissions also.

Admission Requirements 

• A baccalaureate degree (not in nursing) with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Completion of program pre-requisite course work*
• GPA of 3.3 or higher in social science, science and math (pre-requisites)
• General requirements for admission to the University

*Prerequisite Course Work

• Anatomy & Physiology I & II w/Lab
• Microbiology w/Lab
• Chemistry w/Lab
• Human Growth and Development
• Nutrition
• Statistics

All pre-requisite courses MUST have been taken within 5 years of admission and students must achieve a grade of B- or better in the course.

CLINICAL PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS

• Completion of all of health requirements including the following immunizations and tests: Tetanus, Diphtheria, Attenuated Pertussis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Meningococcal, Hepatitis B, Varicella, Tuberculin Skin Testing
• Other immunizations and tests as required by clinical facilities, including but not limited to, Flu vaccine
• Drug Screening-per various facilities
• Criminal Background Check
• CPR at level of health provider
• HIPAA training module completed
• Ability to meet Technical Standards

See Undergraduate Admissions also.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and expenses related to the nursing program. 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, the human patient simulator laboratory, standardized testing and clinical placement fees.

Equipment

Students are responsible for the costs of the following required items: Uniforms and lab jacket; shoes; 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. 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.