University of Maine at Augusta’s award-winning online RN to BSN program ranked #1 in state for affordability

COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT AUGUSTA

The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) has Maine’s #1 most affordable online program for Registered Nurses (RNs) to complete their bachelor of science degree in nursing (BSN). Degree Prospects, LLC has issued the recognition through their website RNtoMSN.org , which is a comprehensive, easy-to-use website for registered nurses researching academic degree programs.

While our tuition rates are the lowest in the state, there are a number of ways to lower costs even further. The Financial Aid Office administers federal, state, and university aid programs to assist eligible students in financing their UMA education. In addition to the federal Pell Grant, UMA offers the Pine Tree State Pledge which is awarded to qualified new and transfer in-state full-time Pell recipients who have tuition and fees that are not covered by other grant aid.

“We also have merit scholarships, institutional scholarships, and a few named scholarships specifically for nursing students,” says Jamie Santiago, Director of Financial Aid at UMA. “To be considered for the maximum amount of financial aid possible, it is important to submit your FAFSA at studentaid.gov as early as you can,” recommends Santiago.

Dr. Shannon Gauvin, Director of Nursing, shares her pride in UMA’s program. “In addition to being the most affordable online RN-BSN program, we are one of only 17 programs in the US endorsed as a holistic nursing program by the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNA). Upon graduation, our nursing graduates can sit for their holistic nurse certification which offers nurses a way to distinguish themselves as experts in nursing practice, education, and research.”

The nursing department and its faculty have received numerous recognitions. In 2023, they were awarded the AHNA’s 2023 Institutional Excellence in Holistic Nursing Education Award. As program director, Gauvin received the 2022 Agnes E. Flaherty Nursing Leadership Award and the 2023 UMA College of Professional Studies Meritorious Award. The majority of the faculty hold certification in nursing education, holistic nursing, or other credentials to exemplify the academic and experiential qualifications of the faculty and staff and their commitment to student and program success.

The excellence of the program and hard work of the students was made evident recently when in 2023 they achieved a pass rate of 100% for first-time takers of the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses), which is well above the 2023 average first-time pass rate of 88.56%, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

UMA’s Nursing Program, housed within the College of Professional Studies, continues its 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. While students may choose UMA Nursing for its affordability, the quality of the education they receive has value far beyond the cost.

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 uma.edu .