The University of Southern Maine’s bachelor’s
in nursing program, offered on the Lewiston-Auburn College
campus (LAC), will be highlighted at an open house on December
9. This nursing program, which has been offered on the Portland
campus since 1969, is fully accredited by the National League
for Nursing and the Maine State Board of Nursing. Students
who enroll in the LAC-based program are able to complete
all the requirements in Lewiston, with no travel to Portland
required.
USM's College of Nursing and Health Professions
(CONHP) was awarded a significant federal grant last year
to help expand the nursing program at LAC. This three-year
grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
has enabled USM to more than double the size of the nursing
program at LAC. Jane Kirschling, dean of CONHP, expects
this to have a major impact on the looming nursing shortage
in this area. “I think it will help western and southern
Maine,” said Kirschling. “That is, I think,
an important contribution.”
The bachelor’s in nursing on the LAC
campus is open to traditional first-year college students
and to adult learners. Some of the distinctive features
of this program include local clinical sites, a community
partnership-based curriculum, and a coaching program that
matches nursing students with local health care professionals.
The informational meeting/open house about
the nursing program will be held Tuesday, December 9, from
6:00 to 8:00 p.m. This informal session will include a brief
presentation about the program, as well as tours and demonstrations.
Information about admissions, enrollment, and financial
aid will also be provided.
This event, free of charge, is open to the
public and will be held in the function room at Lewiston-Auburn
College, 51 Westminster Street in Lewiston. Light refreshments
will be served. Anyone who wishes to attend is asked to
call Dori at 753-6624 or email to lacnursing@usm.maine.edu.
Space is limited, so advance registration is encouraged.
