Academics
Graduate Nursing Program of Study
The School of Nursing has one Master of Science Nursing Program with three discrete concentrations, one
Certificate of Advanced Study, and one Certificate: (1) MS-Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration, (2) MS-Nursing-Nurse Educator Concentration, (3) MS-Nursing-Individualized Concentration, (4)
Certificate of Advanced Study-Family Nurse Practitioner, and (5) Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education.
Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration (MSNURSING-FNP)
The family nurse practitioner is prepared to provide primary care to individuals and families across the lifespan (newborns, infants, children, adolescents, adults, pregnant and postpartum women, and older adults). Primary care includes health promotion, disease and injury prevention, and the evaluation and management of common acute and chronic health problems. The focus of care includes individuals within families and the family unit, however the family chooses to define itself. Family nurse practitioners demonstrate a commitment to family-centered care in the context of communities.
The MS-Nursing-FNP program of study may be tailored for full- or part-time study. Course formats are a mixture of on-campus and distance technology. Clinical experiences are an integral part of the FNP curriculum and are arranged to meet program outcomes and student needs. The Graduate Program Coordinator and Family Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator will help the student develop a program of study that meets academic and clinical requirements. The combined credit requirement for the MSNursing-FNP is 49-51. The MS-Nursing-FNP curriculum meets the National Task Force on Quality Nurse Practitioner Education 2016 criteria for evaluation of nurse practitioner programs.
MS-Nursing-FNP graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations for Family Nurse Practitioners offered by the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC) and by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
Master of Science in Nursing – Nursing Education Concentration (MS-NURSINGEDU)
The MS-Nursing-NE program is designed for the experienced nurse who wishes to have advanced knowledge in nursing combined with preparation to teach and evaluate learning in the academic or clinical setting. Course content in the education specialization includes curriculum development, didactic and clinical teaching methods, evaluation in nursing education, and population-focused care. Students in the MSNursing-EDU concentration meet the didactic and clinical requirements of accreditation by taking separate courses in Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology and by completing a clinical-focused practicum and project. The MS-Nursing-EDU program of study may be tailored for full-or part-time study. The combined credits for the MS-Nursing-EDU concentration is 36-38. MS-EDU graduates are eligible to take the National League for Nursing Nurse Educator Certification exam (nln.org/awards-recognition/certification-for-nurse-educators-overview).
Master of Science in Nursing – Individualized (I-MS-Nursing)
This theoretical and field-experience curriculum allows the student to develop a program of study that builds upon their professional interests and career goals. Through core courses, specialized courses, and experiential components, IMS-N students may prepare for leadership roles as nursing administrations and other advanced professional roles.
The program of study may be tailored for full- or part-time study. The Graduate Program Coordinator and the student’s academic advisor will help plan a program of study and timeframe that meets academic and experiential requirements and student needs. The combined credit requirement would be 35-37, dependent upon focus area.
Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS-FNP)
The CAS-FNP offers a program of study to registered nurses possessing a MS-Nursing who wish to further their education into the FNP role. Students in the CAS program must complete a minimum of 33 semester hours (500 and 600 level course) within the University of Maine.
A full-time student in any of the MS-Nursing program concentrations can expect to complete degree requirements in 2 years. All work for the CAS or the MSN must be completed within a 6-year period.
The master’s degree program in nursing and the post graduate APRN certificate program at the University of Maine School of Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791
Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education
The School of Nursing offers a post-baccalaureate 10-credit certificate in nursing education. This certificate is fully online. Courses may be applied to the MS-Nursing-EDU program.
University of Maine School of Nursing Master of Science-Nursing-Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration: Sample of Full-time Program of Study AY 2022-2023 (Fall admission) (Part-time Options Available)
Year One – Fall Semester
| Course | Credits | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| *#NUR 507: Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 | 0 |
| *#NUR 502: Families in health and Illness /or Elective | 3 | 0 |
Year One – Spring Semester
| Course | Credits | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| *#NUR 508: Advanced Pharmacology | 3 | 0 |
| *#NUR 694: Health Policy | 3 | 0 |
Year One – Summer Semester
| Course | Credits | Clinical Hours |
| NUR 503: Advanced Health Appraisal and Health Assessment-lecture | 3 | |
| NUR 531: Advanced Health Appraisal and Health Assessment-lab | 1 | |
| NUR 532: Advanced Health Appraisal and Health Assessment-clinical | 1 | 80 |
Year One totals: 17 credit hours, 80 clinical hours
Year Two – Fall Semester
| Course | Credits | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 521: FNP-Gynecologic and Reproductive Health-lecture | 2 | 0 |
| NUR 5xx: FNP-Gynecologic and Reproductive Health-clinical | 2 | 150 |
| *#NUR 502: Families in Health and Illness or Elective | 3 | 0 |
Year Two – Spring Semester
| Course | Credits | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 520: FNP- Neonate to Adolescent-lecture | 3 | 0 |
| NUR 524: FNP- Neonate to Adolescent- clinical | 2 | 150 |
Year Two – Summer Semester
| Course | Credits | Clinical Hours |
| NUR 504: Theory Development | 3 | |
| NUR 505: Nursing Research | 3 |
Year Two totals: 18 credit hours, 300 clinical hours
Year Three – Fall Semester
| Course | Credits | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 522: FNP Adult 1 lecture | 3 | 0 |
| NUR 526: FNP Adult 1 clinical | 2 | 150 |
| #NUR 697: Capstone | 1 | 0 |
Year Three – Spring Semester
| Course | Credits | Clinical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NUR 523: FNP Adult 2 lecture | 3 | 0 |
| NUR 527: FNP Adult 2 clinical | 3 | 225 |
| NUR 506: Professional Issues | 2 |
Year Three totals: 14 credit hours, 375 clinical hours
Clinical courses (NUR 503/531/532, 521/5xx clinical , 520/524, 522/526, 523/527) must be taken in this
numerical sequence
TOTAL CREDITS: 49-51
- Total credits are dependent upon NUR 697 (scholarly project-4 cr) or NUR 699 (thesis-6 cr)
- INT 601-Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is required for all thesis students. This course should be taken early in the program
KEY:
*May be taken by non-degree student with department permission
#Fully online
University of Maine School of Nursing Master of Science-Nursing-Nurse Educator Concentration Sample Full-time Program of Study AY 2022-2023 (Part-time Options Available)
Year One – Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| *#NUR 507: Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| *#NUR 693: Ethical Inquiry in Healthcare or *#NUR 644: Management and leadership | 3 |
Year One – Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| *#NUR 508: Advanced Pharmacology | 3 |
| #NUR 512: Curriculum Development | 3 |
Year One – Summer Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| *#NUR 505: Nursing Research | 3 |
| *#NUR 504: Theory | 3 |
Year One totals: 18 credit hours
Year Two – Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| #NUR 515: Measurement and Evaluation Elective if Needed and not taken in Year 1 | 3 |
| Elective if need F/T status and/or for NUR697 option | 3 |
| #NUR 697: Scholarly Capstone (1-credit + 3-credit elective) or | 1 |
| NUR699: Nursing Thesis Research (6 credits) | (6) |
Year Two – Spring Semester
| Course | Credits | Clinical/Lab Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Course | Credits | Clinical/Lab Hours |
| *#NUR 694: Policy | 3 | 0 |
| ^NUR 516, Field Experience | 4 | 210 |
Year Two – Summer Semester
| Course | Credits | Clinical/Lab Hours |
|---|---|---|
| #NUR 503: Advanced Health Assessment-(lecture) | 3 | 0 |
| NUR 531: Advanced Health Assessment (lab) | 1 | 12 hrs Virtual Simulations / 50 Hours lab |
Year Two totals: 18 -20 credit hours, 210 clinical/lab hours
Education courses (NUR 512, 515, 516) must be taken in numerical sequence
Total practicum hours = 210hrs – Field Experience Course (NUR 516)
TOTAL CREDITS: 36-38
- Total credits are dependent upon NUR 697 scholarly project (4 cr) or NUR699 thesis (6 cr). If 3-credit elective capstone option is taken then only 1-credit of NUR 697 needed.
- INT 601-Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is required for all thesis students. This course should be taken early in the program
KEY:
*May be taken by non-degree student with department permission
#Fully online
^Partially online
University of Maine School of Nursing Master of Science-Nursing-Individualized Concentration Sample Full-time Program of Study AY 2022-2023 (Part-time Options Available)
There are many baccalaureate prepared nurses who are interested in an advanced degree in nursing. The University of Maine established a Master’s degree program in nursing in 1992, and successful graduates are scattered throughout the state. Our diverse faculty are prepared in a variety of clinical and role specialties, and are therefore able to assist students in the development of a plan of study which will meet their individual needs. Students may attend full-time or part-time, and classes are scheduled with the working professional in
mind.
Year One – Fall Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| **#Course Related to Field of Interest | 3 |
| *#NUR 693: Ethical Inquiry in Healthcare | 3 |
Year One – Spring Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| **#Course Related to Field of Interest | 3 |
| *#NUR 694: Health Policy | 3 |
Year One – Summer Semester
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| **#Course Related to Field of Interest | 3 |
| *#NUR 505: Nursing Research | 3 |
Year One Totals: 18 Credits
Year Two – Fall Semester
| Course | Credits | Field Experience Hours |
|---|---|---|
| *# NUR 644: Leadership and Management or Elective | 3 | |
| #NUR 697-699: Scholarly Project or Thesis | 4-6 |
Year Two – Spring Semester
| Course | Credits | Field Experience Hours |
|---|---|---|
| **#Course Related to Field of Interest | 3 | |
| ^NUR 516: Field Experience | 4 | 210 |
TOTAL CREDITS: 35-37
- Total credits are dependent upon NUR 697 (scholarly project-4 cr) or NUR 699 (thesis-6 cr)
- INT 601-Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is required for all thesis students. This course should be taken early in the program
KEY:
*May be taken by non-degree student with department permission
**Courses are determined by individualized Program of Study concentration
# Fully online
^Partially online
Each graduate student’s program of study must meet the requirements for a Master of Science in Nursing as set forth in the AACN Essentials of Masters Education in Nursing. Core courses for the I-MS Nursing student are as follows:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| NUR 504: Theory Development in Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 505: Nursing Research | 3 |
| NUR 693: Ethical Considerations in HealthCare | 3 |
| NUR 694: Health Policy, Politics and Nursing | 3 |
| NUR 697 or 699: Graduate Capstone or Thesis | 4-6 |
In addition to the above core of 16-18 credits, the I-MS-Nursing will complete additional 19-23 credits (total 35-37 credits). Those additional credits will be selected with the student’s career goals in mind, and may be in nursing, administration, public health, healthcare quality or other disciplines as appropriate. The following courses within the graduate nursing curriculum are available:
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| NUR 502: Family in Health and Illness | 3 |
| NUR 503: Advanced Health Assessment | 3 |
| NUR 507: Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 |
| NUR 508: Advanced Pharmacology and Therapeutics | 3 |
| NUR 512: Curriculum Development and Evaluation | 3 |
| NUR 515: Measurement and Evaluation | 3 |
| NUR 695: Special Topics in Nursing | 1-3 |
Courses also may be taken in related disciplines: Gerontology, Public Health, Social Work, Public Health, Nutrition, Healthcare Business & Management, Healthcare Leadership, Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety. The student’s advisor will work with the student to define a program of study to meet student goals.
Academic Advising
Students accepted into the School of Nursing Graduate Program are advised by the Graduate Program Coordinator. MSN-FNP students will transition their advisement to the FNP Track Coordinator when starting their clinical courses with NUR 503/531/532 Advanced Health Appraisal and Health Assessment.
Students should meet with the graduate program coordinator and/or their academic advisor each semester either in person or electronically to update their program of study and ensure that they are meeting academic progression standards. Students will not be registered for courses until all academic holds are removed, this includes the student financial responsibility statement that must be completed each semester.
Program Requirements
The following technical standards of general abilities must be independently met, with or without
accommodations:
- Observation
- Communication
- Motor
- Intellectual-conceptual, integrative and quantitative
- Behavioral and social attributes
- Program-specific requirements
1. OBSERVATION
A student must make accurate visual observations, both at a distance and close at hand. In addition,
a student must have adequate vision and sensory modalities, including the sense of hearing and smell,
to observe a patient accurately, perceive non-verbal communication, perform nursing assessments,
interventions, and medication administration, and complete documentation and maintain accurate
records.
2. COMMUNICATION
A student must have effective communication skills, including sufficient hearing and intelligible speech and understanding of non-verbal communication with fellow students, faculty, patients, family members, and healthcare professionals. In addition, the student must be able to speak, read, write and comprehend the English language to communicate effectively with students, faculty, clients, family members, and healthcare professionals.
3. MOTOR
A student must have motor skills to perform skills, including client assessment, palpation, percussion and auscultation, and other techniques used during health assessments. A student must have gross and fine motor skills to perform patient treatments, medication preparation and delivery, and routine and emergency skills within their professional nursing scope. The student must have the physical ability and stamina to stand and walk for prolonged periods, including climbing stairs, and have the physical ability to lift, transfer, and move patients.
4. INTELLECTUAL–CONCEPTUAL, INTEGRATIVE, AND QUANTITATIVE
- A student must have intellectual, conceptual, and quantitative abilities to:
- Access, assess, and interpret medical documentation
- Retain and recall
- Exhibit cognitive abilities in assessment, interpretation, and incorporation of new information
- Comprehend the complexity of relationships, incorporate new information from peers, teachers, and other ancillary professionals to provide sound judgment
- Incorporate nursing and medical literature to create both short and long-term goals
- Problem-solve to measure, calculate, reason, analyze and synthesize both objective and subjective data
5. BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL ATTRIBUTES
A student must possess the emotional health and maturity required for intellectual ability and exercise sound judgment. The student must maintain a mature, sensitive rapport and establish effective relationships with patients and their families, students, faculty, staff and other professionals in all circumstances, which may at times be highly stressful. Students must possess the physical and emotional health to make sound judgments appropriately and promptly and be able to function effectively in times of physical and mental stress. These attributes are displayed through compassion, sensitivity, concern for others, and professional integrity. In addition, the student must be able to adapt to a changing environment, display flexibility, and accept integrated constructive criticism.
Roles and Responsibilities for Students, Faculty, and Preceptors
Program Faculty
Hold the primary responsibility of meeting the intended program outcomes pursuant to the institution’s accreditation standards. Further, faculty are responsible for the evaluation of student outcomes that include the faculty, student, and preceptor, as well as the experience and setting of the clinical rotation. Program faculty will need to clearly communicate to the Clinical Preceptor the level, the intended clinical progression and outcome objectives for the clinical rotation of the nurse practitioner student during each clinical rotation experience thus affording the student meaningful clinical experiences that will develop the students’ comfort in practice and clinical competency Regular communication with the Clinical Preceptor is pivotal to ensure the curriculum is being effectively delivered and student outcomes are met. (Adopted from AACN)
Clinical Preceptor
A clinical preceptor for a nurse practitioner student provides guidance to help students develop appropriate skills and clinical judgment in assessment, diagnostic reasoning, and treatment of patients in clinical settings during a designated time frame. A preceptor is also responsible for evaluating the performance of the student’s ability to fulfill predetermined clinical objectives.
The clinical preceptor displays the following characteristics:
- Is an interested, experienced individual who supports the expanded role of the
- Is physically present in the clinical situation with adequate time for consultation and works on a one- on-one basis with the student.
- Is committed to the concept of the team approach in the delivery of health care
- Is responsive to the needs of the
- Facilitates achievement of the student practicum objectives by identifying learning experiences for the student including assistance in patient selection, conferences, rounds, agency meetings, and encourages the student’s participation in these learning experiences.
- Reviews all patient-related findings of the student on an ongoing basis to assure accuracy, appropriateness of referrals, and that documentation is complete and co-signed.
- Conferences with the student as necessary to assess progress and learning
- Conferences with the instructor in the MS-Nursing program whenever there is a concern regarding the student’s clinical performance.
- Evaluates the student’s performance during and at the completion of the practicum and/or (Adopted from Galeski)
Nurse Practitioner Student
Holds the primary responsibility of communicating with the program faculty and clinical preceptor in preparation for and throughout the clinical experience rotation. The student is responsible for meeting all institutional and clinical practice site health and regulatory requirements to include confidentiality, HIPPA, security clearance as required by each clinical site. Students share their learning needs and objectives of the clinical experience that is approved by the program faculty. (Adopted from AACN)
Academic Requirements
Grades
The School of Nursing follows the University of Maine Grades and Grading Policy located on the Office of Student Records website. Grades and other student information is confidential and protected by University of Maine policy and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Additional information regarding FERPA is available from the University of Maine Department of Student Records.
Definition of Grades
The School of Nursing participates in the +/- grading system. Individual faculty may choose to award a plus (+) or a minus (-) grade in nursing courses. The following criteria have been adopted for plus and minus grades:
| Letter Grade | Number Grade |
|---|---|
| A | 100-92 |
| A- | 91-90 |
| B+ | 89-88 |
| B | 87-82 |
| B- | 81-80 |
| C+ | 79-78 |
| C | 77 |
| C- | 76-70 |
Students who need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability are directed to Student Accessibility Services, 207.581.2319, for guidance.
Nursing students who find it necessary to request withdrawal from a course due to serious illness or injury, or to take a leave of absence or to withdraw from the University, should discuss this with their academic advisor. Withdrawals resulting in less than required course credits for a semester and withdrawals/leaves of absence from the University will be processed through the graduate school.
Grades are assigned as whole numbers are not rounded up. This applies to individual quiz and exam scores, course assignments, and final course grades.
Appealing assignment or course grades: The University of Maine has formal procedures by which students may appeal the assignment of grades by an instructor, accusations of cheating or plagiarism, or certain aspects of classroom procedure. The details of these appeal processes are on the Office of Student Records website.
Written Assignments
Grading criteria for course assignments are described in each course syllabus. All assignments in nursing courses are due on the date designated in each course syllabus. Assignments received after the designated date and time may be subject to late penalty as specified in the course syllabus. Exceptions to the due date will be made only under extraordinary circumstances and should be negotiated with faculty in advance if possible. School of Nursing adheres to the guidelines of the most recent edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.
Academic Integrity
The School of Nursing adheres to the University of Maine policy on Academic Integrity . Violations of academic integrity such as cheating or plagiarism may result in a failing grade for an assignment or an entire course and may be subject to action under the University of Maine System Student Conduct Code. University faculty use Safe Assign, a program for the detection of plagiarism.
Undergraduate Health Assessment by Examination
Applicants to the graduate program who possess a baccalaureate in nursing degree but who do not have a distinct undergraduate health assessment course on their transcript may fulfill this admission requirement in one of two ways:
Take an undergraduate health assessment course which is equivalent to the University of Maine School of Nursing NUR 300 Health Assessment through the Lifespan, earning a grade of “B” or higher. This option is recommended for applicants who have limited health assessment experience in their clinical practice.
Or:
Demonstrate competency in health assessment through a testing option. The testing option consists of two parts:
- Health Assessment Written Examination developed by school of nursing faculty based on undergraduate health assessment knowledge
- Demonstration of knowledge through a practicum examination
The written examination and practicum grade must each be at least 80%. There is a non-refundable fee of $100 for the competency testing. Further information will be provided upon request.
Acceptance of Courses toward Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS-FNP)
Students with a previous Master of Science degree seeking certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner must demonstrate competency in Advanced Health Assessment, Advanced Pathophysiology, and Advanced Pharmacology. Competency is defined by earning a final grade of B in each course in their previous APRN coursework, or they are required to retake the course at UMaine. Students whose Advanced Pathophysiology and Advanced Pharmacology courses were taken more than five years prior to admission will be required to repeat the courses. Students whose MS-Nursing was in a non-APRN concentration (e.g. nursing education) will have a gap analysis conducted to determine which of these courses may be considered toward the CAS. Laboratory and/or clinical components of Advanced Health Assessment may be required.
Academic Progression
Students must achieve a mean score of 80% on written exams in order to pass the course. Regardless of other grades achieved for written work assignments, and 80% average is required on exams. If the exam average is <80%, then the student will be awarded a grade no higher than “C” and will not be considered passing.
Students are expected to achieve a grade of “B-” or higher in all courses. If a student earns a “C” or lower in any course, the student is counseled and may be dismissed from the nursing major.
Students who wish to return to the graduate program in nursing after a leave of absence or to re-enroll after withdrawing will re-enter under current curricular requirements. If a significant amount of time has lapsed, additional coursework may be required.
Change in Program of Study
If a student deviates from their original Program of Study as outlined during their interview, seats and registration for future classes cannot be guaranteed and will be provided on an as available basis.
Withdrawing from a Graduate Nursing Courses
All graduate students in the School of Nursing may only withdraw once from any course.
Non-Degree Status
If you do not intend to pursue a graduate degree, but want to take graduate level courses for personal or professional development or to apply for degree status at a later date, you may seek admission as a non- degree graduate student. You can apply for non-degree graduate status on this site.
Up to twelve credit hours may be transferred from appropriate course work taken at UMaine before matriculation in a graduate degree program if no other work is being transferred.
Violations
If a student experiences any bias-related or hate crimes (including, but not limited to, any acts of discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, age, ability, genetic information, or veteran’s status), the student is encouraged to report the incident to the UMaine Bias Response Team or Dean of Student Office. This enables the university to provide resources and assistance to those individuals.
Student Incident Process
- Faculty, adjunct faculty, or staff will document any violation of professional, clinical, course, or laboratory standards using an electronic Student Incident Report (SIR). The SIR will outline the specific incident, location of the incident, time/day of the incident, and any communication or evidence surrounding the incident. The SIR will be sent electronically to the student’s academic advisor and the Director of the School of Nursing.
- The academic advisor will notify the associated course coordinator in which the incident occurred to schedule a meeting with the student. During the meeting, the course coordinator and student will review the incident. The student will have an opportunity to provide input or data regarding the incident from their perspective. The course coordinator will discuss potential implications (failure to pass a skill competency assessment, removal from lab or clinical site, dismissal from the program, remediation plan, etc.).
- The student will receive a formal letter from the course coordinator via email and snail mail that outlines violations of the Student Handbook and associated consequences, if applicable, along with the appeal process.
- The School of Nursing may remove students from the class, lab, or clinical rotation and recommend dismissal from the program for any student who engages in unsafe practice, illegal or unethical conduct.
- Students identified as deficient in knowledge or skills will be required to complete remediation and demonstrate competency prior to returning to the clinical practice site. The SIR will also outline the remediation process and activities to address the identified concerns with a timeline for
- Students who have a previous remediation for unsafe patient care and then commit the second act of unsafe patient care are at risk for immediate dismissal from the program.
- When violations and associated consequences cannot be resolved with the mechanism listed above, the student may file an appeal to the Policy Advisory Committee.
- Student appeals require a written letter from the student that provides objective, factual evidence that rejects the incident and associated consequences outlined in the SIR letter the student received from the course coordinator.
- Appeal letters will be submitted to the School of Nursing Policy Advisory The committee reviews all academic and professional conduct cases within the school. The committee consists of two academic advisors, the Undergraduate Program Coordinator, the Graduate Program Coordinator, and two additional faculty members voted by the full faculty. The committee will review the letter received from the course coordinator to the student, the incident report, and the student’s appeal letter. Next, the committee will discuss the case. Finally, the committee will vote on the outcome adhering to Roberts Rules. The Director of the School of Nursing is the committee chair and doesn’t have voting privileges to maintain equity. The student’s academic advisor will notify the student of the outcome within the day of the hearing. The student will receive a formal letter from the committee that outlines the outcome.
Infringement of any of these will result in the following procedure:
- Student problem behaviors may be identified by any University of Maine faculty, staff member, agency personnel, fellow students, clients, or If action is taken, this will be based on facts and/ or surmise from evidence and not hearsay.
- If the behavior is limited to one course, the student will be asked to meet with a School of Nursing faculty member associated with the course in which the behavior took If the behavior occurred in more than one course or outside of nursing courses, the student will meet with the Graduate Program Coordinator and/or Family Nurse Practitioner Track Coordinator. Depending on the seriousness of the issue, the Director of the School of Nursing may also be asked to attend. The complainant may choose to bring witness(es) to this meeting. A faculty member may also be invited to serve as a witness.
- A written statement describing the problem behavior, and, if appropriate, a plan of action for improvement (contract) will be given to the student, with a copy of all written materials placed in the student’s permanent If the behavior is not remediated within the stated time frame, there are several possible outcomes. These include a lowered clinical/course grade, failure in a course, conditional status (requires a specific contract), suspension and/or dismissal.
- There are times when a clinical agency requests that a student be removed from a clinical If the faculty member concurs that the behavior warrants such action, no attempt will be made to secure another clinical placement. This will result in a failing grade for the clinical experience.
- In the case where the behavior may pose risk of harm to others, the student may be removed from a clinical placement, the classroom, suspected or dismissed from the major without the opportunity for counseling and improvement plan. This type of decision will be made by the Director, the Graduate Program and/or Family Nurse Practitioner Coordinator, and at least one other faculty member. Examples of behavior which may lead to immediate removal are dishonesty, aggression, serious violation of the professional code of conduct including professional boundaries, and the commission of felonies such as diversion of The Director of the School of Nursing will notify the student in writing if such a decision is made.
- The student has the right to utilize the formal appeal process of the University of Maine Graduate School if they disagree with the decision made. The School of Nursing reserves the right to remove from clinical any student who, according to the judgment of faculty, poses risk of harm to clients or others until the matter is formally resolved.
Student Appeal Process
- A student who wishes to appeal the School of Nursing programmatic academic action (for example, suspension or dismissal from the program, removal from the lab or clinical site) is required to:
- Communicate with their academic advisor as soon as possible for guidance regarding the academic appeal process and timeframe.
- Submit an appeal letter to the chairperson of the Policy Advisory Committee, which is the Director of the School of Nursing within 7 days of the last official day of the semester. The letter should include specific and objective extenuating circumstances that led to the academic violation and a remediation plan.
- The Director and the faculty members of the School’s Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) will review the appeal letter and the student’s academic record:
- The committee will decide the appeal
- The student will be notified of the Committee’s decision in writing as soon as possible
- A student who has been suspended from the University but wishes to return to the School of Nursing is required to apply for re-admission.
- Students who have been suspended from the University are guaranteed readmission to the University
- An interview with a nursing faculty advisor is required prior to re-admission to the Nursing
- A student who has been dismissed from the university or the School of Nursing but wishes to return to the School of Nursing is required to send a letter of appeal for readmission to the School of Nursing
- The student’s appeal for re-admission will be reviewed by the Director and the School of Nursing Policy Advisory Committee to decide on re-entry.
- A student who has been dismissed from the University is not guaranteed re-admission