AUGUSTA — The University of Maine at Augusta is proud to announce that its Nursing Program has been honored with the prestigious 2023 Institutional Excellence in Holistic Nursing Education Award by the American Holistic Nurses Association. This recognition underscores UMA’s unwavering commitment to providing holistic nursing education that prepares students to provide compassionate and holistic care to individuals and communities.
The AHNA is renowned for promoting holistic nursing practice, advocating for the well-being of both patients and healthcare professionals, and recognizing institutions that excel in holistic nursing education.
UMA’s Nursing Program, housed within the College of Professional Studies, has a distinguished history of preparing nursing professionals who are not only skilled in clinical practice but also deeply committed to holistic and patient-centered care. This program equips students with the knowledge and skills to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients, fostering a holistic approach to healthcare.
Dr. Shannon Gauvin, director of Nursing Programs at UMA, expressed her pride in UMA’s Nursing Program, saying, “This award is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovation of our faculty, staff, and students. It affirms our commitment to nurturing nurses who provide care that encompasses the whole person and embodies the principles of holistic nursing.”
Dr. Jenifer Cushman, president of UMA, noted the achievement, stating, “We are so proud that UMA’s nursing program was honored with this prestigious award, presented to institutions that demonstrate excellence in holistic nursing education through innovative curriculum, faculty expertise, student support, and a commitment to holistic nursing principles. UMA was selected from a competitive field of institutions nationwide, and we appreciate that the field recognizes the high quality of our program.”
UMA’s Nursing Program offers various pathways to a nursing career, including a bachelor of science in nursing and a RN to BSN degree completion program for licensed nurses. UMA’s Nursing Program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and the RN-BSN has received an endorsement from the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation as one of only 15 nursing schools across the country.
The program’s curriculum integrates holistic nursing principles into all aspects of education, emphasizing the importance of compassion, empathy, and patient-centered care. The education and support for nursing students was demonstrated recently by the most recent class of UMA educated nurses, who achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the NCLEX exam, a rare achievement. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing develops the NCLEX exam to test the competency of nursing school graduates in the U.S. and Canada.
As UMA continues its mission to provide exceptional holistic nursing education, this recognition serves as both a source of pride and motivation to further elevate the program’s standards. UMA remains committed to preparing nurses who will not only excel in their clinical practice but also uphold the values of holism, empathy, and compassion in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
UMA transforms the lives of students of every age and background across the State of Maine and beyond through access to high-quality distance and on-site education, excellence in student support, civic engagement, and professional and liberal arts programs. For more information, please visit www.uma.edu.
