Mission, Vision & Values

A photo of a group of UMaine nursing students

Mission:

In the School of Nursing we educate nurses for the future by advancing rigorous and effective academic programs, building infrastructure to engage faculty and students in nursing scholarship, and strengthening reciprocal partnerships with our global, state, local, and university communities in the pursuit of a diverse and resilient nursing workforce. We do this by:

Leading excellence in nursing education and research by humanizing healthcare to prepare the nursing workforce through collaboration and partnership.

Responding proactively to the needs of the nursing profession with grace and humility to educate the future of nursing.

Vision:

Cultivate a courageous, inclusive community of professionals that lead excellence in education, research, and public service.

Values:

The core of our values is courage which is the practice of showing up, fully engaging, and being seen during times of uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. Creating a courageous culture fosters our other values of:

Connecting to the emotions that underpin another’s experience, consisting of 5 skills: perspective taking, being nonjudgmental, understanding the other person’s feelings; communicating your understanding, and mindfulness.

Noticing another’s vulnerability, experiencing an emotional reaction to this, and acting in a meaningful way for people. Compassion is the daily practice of recognizing and accepting our shared humanity to treat ourselves and others with loving-kindness and take action in the face of suffering.

Practicing our values, not just professing them. Integrity is about choosing courage over comfort and what’s right over what’s fun, fast, easy, or convenient.

The internally-motivated practice of healthy striving and trying to be better. Excellence is not about perfection or the absence of mistakes. We move closer to excellence when we have the courage to embrace our imperfections and learn from our mistakes. Research shows that encouraging ourselves to take risks and make mistakes ultimately makes fewer of them.

Coming up with the big idea.

Executing the big idea.

Every characteristic trait of people has a seat at the table.

Every person seated at the table is treated fairly unhampered by artificial barriers, stereotypes, or prejudices.

The voice of every person seated at the table is actively sought, welcomed, and valued.

Obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions. Accountability includes 3 components: Owning mistakes, apologizing, and making amends.

Belonging so deeply to yourself first that you can share your most authentic self with the world. Belonging is a practice that requires us to be vulnerable, get uncomfortable, and learn how to be present with people without sacrificing who we are.

The energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.

UMaine SON is teaching the next generation of nurses with a focus on empathy and a commitment on inclusivity, fostering an environment of belonging.

What is DEI?

In order to support a generation of inclusive leaders and effective patient advocates, the American Association of Colleges of Nurses (AACN) identified diversity, equity, and inclusion as core concepts threaded through the training of undergraduate and graduate learners. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are three interrelated core principles guiding nurses toward social justice in health.

Diversity is the broad range of individual, population, and social characteristics of communities. The UMaine School of Nursing is committed to building a diverse nursing workforce and meeting the needs of diverse patients.

Equity refers to the fair distribution of knowledge resources, including healthcare and higher education access. In equitable systems, all people are treated fairly and able to fully participate in society. The UMaine School of Nursing works collaboratively toward equity regarding the distribution of education access, healthcare and the resources that individuals and communities need to thrive.

The UMaine School of Nursing intentionally embraces differences and works to ensure different voices and experiences are welcomed, acknowledged, and respected.

The American Nurses Association Code of Ethics details the non-negotiable values and commitments that guide the Nursing profession and the education of future nurses. Provision 8 of the ANA Code asserts that “the profession of nursing through its professional organizations must articulate nursing values… and integrate principles of social justice into nursing and health policy” (ANA 2015, p. 35). The ANA Code obligates nurses to “respect the inherent dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person” and “advance health and human rights and reduce health disparities. As such, the UMaine School of Nursing is committed to upholding these values and integrating social justice into every aspect of teaching, learning, research, service and clinical practice.