Maine University Launches Nursing Program to Combat Workforce Shortages

A new nursing degree program at the University of Maine at Machias aims to address the persistent nursing shortage in Washington County. This initiative comes as the region’s only hospital that delivers babies continues to rely on travel nurses to fill critical staffing gaps. Despite some improvements since the onset of the pandemic, the local healthcare situation remains precarious, according to Julie Hixson, director of marketing and communications for Down East Community Hospital.

Washington County, along with neighboring Hancock County, has one of the oldest and smallest nursing workforces in the state, according to a 2024 study by Cypress Research Group. The region, spanning more than 4,800 square miles, faces an aging population that is expected to require increasingly complex healthcare.

In response to these challenges, the University of Maine at Machias has introduced a new program that allows students to earn a four-year nursing degree while remaining in their local community. This program is designed to cultivate a new generation of nurses who are committed to serving the region.

New Degree Program Launches to Address Local Needs

The newly established nursing program at Machias is an extension of previous efforts to enhance local nursing education. For the past three years, students have been able to complete their foundational nursing courses in Machias before transferring to Orono for advanced studies. However, this arrangement was not always feasible for students deeply rooted in their community.

Megan Walsh, dean and campus director at the University of Maine at Machias, emphasized the importance of keeping students connected to their communities. “We wanted people to have experience living here, working here, and knowing that they would help their community after graduation,” she said.

The new program can accommodate up to eight students every other year. Participants will engage in advanced coursework through real-time virtual classes offered by the University of Maine at Augusta’s nursing program. Additionally, they will utilize a simulation center in Ellsworth and travel to Augusta as required for hands-on training. The Augusta program also focuses on holistic nursing principles, aiming to equip students with skills to care for themselves while maintaining patient care standards.

Local Students Embrace New Opportunities

Among the inaugural students is Brenna Alley, who initially envisioned a career in law until a minor surgery revealed a passion for nursing. “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 stated. She emphasized her connection to the area, saying she is “a Down East girl through and through.”

Another student, Olivia Sokoloski, has been a certified nursing assistant since high school and is currently employed at a local nursing home. She expressed enthusiasm about pursuing her degree while living at home, which offers her significant convenience.

Research indicates that Maine faces a significant nursing shortage, projected to exceed 2,800 nurses within the next five years, according to the Cypress Group. Last year alone, the state was short by approximately 2,115 nurses, a gap that has been mitigated by ongoing recruitment and training efforts.

As Washington County’s population continues to age, the demand for nursing care is expected to rise. Shannon Gauvin, director of nursing at the University of Maine at Augusta, highlighted the increasing expectation for nurses to possess four-year degrees. She noted that more educated nurses typically lead to improved patient outcomes.

The new program at the University of Maine at Machias represents a proactive step toward ensuring that local residents can pursue nursing careers without relocating. Megan Walsh expressed optimism about the initiative’s potential impact, stating, “I don’t think they should have to leave Down East.” The program aims not only to fill nursing positions but also to strengthen the healthcare infrastructure within the community.