Northern Light Health and Eastern Maine Community College’s collaborative efforts are making it easier for residents of rural areas to obtain their nursing degree closer to home thanks to a grant from the Rural Maine Simulation Education Training project.
Two nursing program information sessions are available at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 28 or 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 5. You can attend online or in-person at either Northern Light Mayo in Dover-Foxcroft, Sebasticook Valley in Pittsfield or Maine Coast Hospital in Ellsworth.
“Training local people locally to become registered nurses is a great benefit for our hospital and community,” says Nikki Chadwick, MSN, RN, CPHQ, vice president of education and preparedness. “The nursing students learn the hospital that they will work for in the future, and we get to help guide their nursing training.”
“Being able to study in a small group close to home has been great for me,” shares Josie Gray, EMCC Class of 2027, who is finishing her first year of clinicals at Northern Light Sebasticook Valley Hospital. “Being at a small, local hospital has provided a lot of hands-on learning that has allowed me to gain the confidence I need to achieve my goal of becoming a registered nurse.”
“When students can pursue a nursing degree close to home, supported by local hospitals and small cohort learning, it removes barriers and opens the door for more people to enter the profession with confidence and purpose,” explains Heather Rushmore, MSN, RN, CNE, program director/department chair, nursing department, Eastern Maine Community College.
If you are interested in becoming a nurse, join one of the info sessions to learn more about EMCC’s nursing program and the local hospital cohort model, pre-requisite requirements, what you need to do now to pursue a degree for fall of 2027 and meet the hospital nurse educators and hear from past students.
For more details and to register, visit northernlighthealth.org/nursingedu. Once registered, a meeting link will be emailed to you.
