Maine University Launches Nursing Program to Combat Healthcare Shortage

The University of Maine at Machias has introduced a new nursing degree program aimed at addressing the persistent nursing shortage in Washington County. This initiative comes as the region continues to depend heavily on travel nurses to fill staffing gaps at Down East Community Hospital, the only facility in the area that provides maternity services.

The nursing shortage in Maine remains critical. According to a 2024 study by the Cypress Research Group, Washington and Hancock counties have the smallest and oldest nursing workforce in the state. The region, which spans over 4,800 square miles, is facing an increasing demand for healthcare services as its population ages. Julie Hixson, director of marketing and communications for Down East Community Hospital, noted, “It’s not like they’re going to magically reappear. Something needs to give.”

The newly launched program allows students to pursue a four-year nursing degree without leaving their community. This effort is part of a broader strategy to create sustainable solutions for healthcare staffing shortages across rural Maine. The University of Maine at Machias previously offered a program where nursing students could complete their foundational coursework locally before transferring to Orono for advanced classes.

In response to the unique needs of the local community, Megan Walsh, dean and campus director at Machias, emphasized the importance of keeping students rooted in their communities. “We wanted people to have experience living here, working here, and really staying within their community, knowing that they would help their community after graduation,” she stated.

The new program will accept up to eight students every other year. Participants will engage in virtual classes in real-time through the University of Maine at Augusta’s nursing program, attend simulations in Ellsworth, and occasionally travel to Augusta for additional training. The Augusta program also offers certification in holistic nursing, which focuses on self-care for nurses while enhancing patient care.

Brenna Alley, one of the inaugural students, shifted her career aspirations from law to nursing after a positive experience with healthcare staff during a minor surgical procedure. “This was very important to me because if I’m going to go into nursing, I want to serve the community that I love so much,” she expressed.

Another student, Olivia Sokoloski, has been working as a certified nursing assistant since high school and is excited about the opportunity to earn her degree while living at home. “I’m thrilled to be part of the first students,” she said, expressing a commitment to her local healthcare system.

The urgency of the situation in Maine is highlighted by projections from the Cypress Group, which estimate the state will be short more than 2,800 nurses within the next five years. Last year, the shortage was approximately 2,115 nurses, indicating a pressing need for effective recruitment and training strategies.

The aging population in Washington County further complicates the situation, with an increasing number of residents requiring complex care. Shannon Gauvin, director of nursing at the University of Maine at Augusta, noted that nurses are increasingly expected to possess four-year degrees, which correlate with improved patient outcomes.

“This new program should let them get that for the first time without having to move away,” Walsh concluded, viewing the initiative as a positive step toward enhancing healthcare in the region.

This nursing program reflects a collaborative effort between educational institutions and healthcare providers to tackle the ongoing challenges facing rural healthcare in Maine.