Washington County Launches New Nursing Program to Combat Shortage
Washington County, Maine, is introducing a new nursing degree program at the University of Maine at Machias, responding to a persistent nursing shortage in the region. Despite a slight easing of staffing issues since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, local hospitals continue to rely heavily on travel nurses to fill gaps. Julie Hixson, director of marketing and communications for Down East Community Hospital, emphasized the need for sustainable solutions, stating, “It’s not like they’re going to magically reappear. Something needs to give.”
The area, which spans over 4,800 square miles and includes both Washington and Hancock counties, has the smallest and oldest nursing workforce in Maine. A recent study by the Cypress Research Group highlighted that the region’s population is aging, leading to an increased demand for more complex healthcare services.
New Program Aims to Address Local Needs
In response to this challenge, the University of Maine at Machias has developed a program that allows students to earn four-year nursing degrees while remaining in their local communities. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to ensure a steady pipeline of qualified nurses to meet local healthcare demands.
The new degree program can accommodate up to eight students every other year. Participants will engage in advanced coursework through real-time virtual classes via the University of Maine at Augusta’s nursing program. They will also attend simulations at the university’s facility in Ellsworth and travel to Augusta for additional training. This innovative approach aims to provide students with practical experience while reinforcing their commitment to serving the communities they know well.
Megan Walsh, dean and campus director at Machias, expressed the importance of local engagement: “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.”
Addressing a Growing Crisis
Despite ongoing recruitment efforts, Maine is projected to face a shortage of over 2,800 nurses within the next five years. The Cypress Research Group reported that the state was already short approximately 2,115 nurses last year. The need for qualified healthcare professionals is particularly acute in Washington County, where the aging population will require increasingly sophisticated care.
The nursing program at Machias is seen as a vital step in addressing this urgent need. Shannon Gauvin, who oversees nursing at the University of Maine at Augusta, highlighted that nurses with four-year degrees tend to deliver better patient outcomes. “I don’t think they should have to leave Down East,” stated Walsh, viewing the program as a positive development for the area.
The initiative has already attracted students eager to contribute to their communities. Brenna Alley, one of the program’s first enrollees, shifted her career focus from law to nursing after receiving exceptional care during a minor surgery. “If I’m going to go into nursing, I want to serve the community that I love so much,” she explained, emphasizing her commitment to local healthcare.
Another participant, Olivia Sokoloski, a certified nursing assistant, praised the program for its convenience, allowing her to pursue her degree while living at home. As the first cohort of students begins their studies, the community remains hopeful that this program will help alleviate the ongoing nursing shortage in the region.
The establishment of this nursing degree program reflects a growing trend of collaboration between healthcare providers and educational institutions in rural areas, aiming to build a sustainable healthcare workforce for the future.
