The nursing program began in 1981 as a response to a community driven initiative to bring baccalaureate nursing education to northern Maine. At the time of the program's inception, BSN education in Maine was available only in the southern part of the state. Individuals living in northern Maine who desired to obtain a baccalaureate degree in nursing had to commute to southern Maine and/or relocate there. The constraints of distance, time, money, life responsibilities and language made this difficult for some and impossible for most. Therefore, prior to this program, northern Mainers who aspired to have a nursing education opted for the LPN or ADN level or gave up the desire and became permanently lost to the profession of nursing.

It was the people of northern Maine who articulated the need for a BSN program and brought this matter to the attention of the state legislature and the University of Maine System. When the University of Maine System responded to the need with the promise of a program at the University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK), those who had sought the program responded with extraordinary financial support, which made possible the necessary funds to begin the program. The financial support from the tiny northern Maine community was combined with political, social, professional, and personal supports of all types. The people and communities who had asked for this program combined efforts with the University and the legislature to build a nursing program, which could serve northern Maine.

When the Board of Trustees voted to begin a nursing program on the UMFK Campus, the decision was made to start the program as an extension of the School of Nursing at the University of Southern Maine. This allowed for immediate delivery of an established NLN accredited program. The decision to offer the program as an extension was done with the understanding that disaffiliation would occur when resources were sufficient for the program to function independently. Four classes were successfully graduated under this elaborate extension plan. Each school represented a different region, a different lifestyle, and a different health focus; therefore, at the recommendation of the NLN accreditation consultants UMFK began its separation from USM-SON.

In the fall of 1986, the presidents of the involved institutions met to discuss the NLN recommendations. The subsequent acceptance of this decision by the University of Maine System Board of Trustees brought to an end the 6 year-old extension agreement. Academic year 1987-1988 served as the transition year. The disaffiliation between UMFK and the USM-SON Nursing Program was set for July 1, 1988.

Although there was inevitable turmoil, which surrounds such a major change, the decision was accepted as a challenge by the UMFK nursing faculty. Through this transition period, the nursing faculty spearheaded the development and implementation of the organizational structure and mechanisms, which were needed to fit the program into the parent institution. A philosophy and conceptual framework were developed that allowed for the presentation of a BSN curriculum, which was integral to and flowed from the rural, remote environment in which the program was offered. The University of Maine System support was evidenced by the Chancellor's contribution of a yearly faculty development fund of $10,000, which would allow the nursing faculty to keep current in their fields of expertise. The always present community involvement and support was strong and the UMFK committed its effort to the development of an independent nursing program. The townspeople of Fort Kent and New Brunswick, Canada and persons throughout Aroostook County came forward to offer help in establishing the UMFK Nursing Program as the truly northern Maine program the citizens had always wanted.

Accreditations

The Maine State Board of Nursing (MSBON) and the National League for Nursing (NLN) have since its inception, recognized the baccalaureate nursing program. The nursing program at UMFK was last accredited by MSBON in 2001. In 1998 the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) granted preliminary approval of the baccalaureate nursing education program at UMFK and final approval came in Spring 2002.

Options

UMFK offers one of three Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program options within the state university system. Since its inception, UMFK has offered a basic BSN entry level track to the prospective students. In 1986 the RN-to-BSN track was established, which is currently available to students at a distance through online technology. UMFK holds articulation agreements with various universities and technical colleges for the RN-to-BSN track. They include University of Maine at Presque Isle (1992), University of Maine at Augusta (1997), Northern Maine Technical College (1997), Kennebec Valley Technical College (1998), University of Maine at Machias (1999) and University of Maine at Farmington (1999). A new option, the Accelerated BSN track, was approved in the Spring of 2003.

Facilities

The Division of Nursing was originally located in the St. David House on Pleasant Street. The facilities included office space for the nursing division chair, nursing faculty, and secretary, and a conference room. The original location of the Nursing Resource Center was at Northern Maine Medical Center. Three rooms on the second floor of the three story building had been designated as the Resource Center. One room was set up as a small classroom that could seat 12. A second room was set up as a standard semi-private room. The third room contained audiovisual equipment, tables and chairs for 5 people. In 1993, the Nursing Resource Center relocated to Room G120 in the Physical Education Building on campus where it continued the process of growth and expansion.

In 2001, Nadeau Hall, constructed at a cost of $2,047,683, became the home of Northern Maine Center for Rural Health Science. The opening of the Nursing Resource Center (NRC) in October 2001 with its array of resources, and equipment with an expanded capacity to simulate actual clinical scenarios proved to enhance student satisfaction in this environment. Located on the first floor of Nadeau Hall, the NRC is a learning center in the fullest sense. It is comprised of a three-bed skills lab; a home care area; adult, pediatric, and infant mannequins; a large nursing station with a local hospital electronic documentation system; a small consultation room with texts and reference material; a computer lab with 10 computer work stations equipped with electronic mail and Internet capabilities, and connected to a laser printer; an audiovisual lab also equipped with a fax/photocopier; a wheel-chair accessible washroom, whereby students can practice lifts; as well as storage rooms and a clean and dirty service room. The area is available to students during business hours from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. with the use of a proximity card.

The faculty and staff offices are located on the second floor of Nadeau Hall. The office of the Manager of Nursing Resources is located immediately adjacent to the NRC.

The UMFK Division of Nursing, because of its rural setting and location in remote northern Maine, utilize a wide variety of clinical settings throughout Aroostook County. Clinical settings include but are not limited to: hospitals, nursing homes, health departments, clinics, home care agencies, physician's offices, day care centers, schools, and occupational settings.

Directors of Nursing

Nursing Advisory Board

The UMFK Division of Nursing Advisory Council consists of members of the external community including St. John Valley and Aroostook County health care professionals, hospital administrators, representative of clinical facilities, nursing faculty, the University President and members of the general public. The Nursing Advisory Council exists to provide input to the division relevant to student outcomes and curriculum development. The Advisory Board facilitates revenue generation and in addition promotes networking of nurses, health care agencies, and health care providers. The Nursing Advisory Council meets twice a year, once in the fall and once in the spring. Ad Hoc committees are developed on an as needed basis.

Student Participation

The Student Nurses Organization (SNO) adopted its constitution and by-laws in 1988. SNO's purpose includes:

1. To unite students interested in professional nursing
2. To establish a liaison between students and faculty
3. To provide a forum for professional and social activities
4. To contribute to community health and wellness
5. **********

The UMFK Nursing Honor Society was formed in the Spring of 1998 for the purpose of recognizing and fostering academic excellence and scholarship among students, alumni, and community leaders in nursing. Students with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above, and who represent the attributes of scholarship as defined by Boyer (1990) and Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society for Nursing are eligible for induction to the Honor Society.

The Honor Society holds two scholarly events each year in an effort to promote nursing scholarship in the St. John Valley and Aroostook County. Participation in the scholarly activities is not limited to members of the honor society, but welcomes health care provider and consumer participation.