Master’s in Nursing Schools in Maine
As the largest state in New England, Maine is a regional leader in nursing practice and policy. If you’re already a nurse, you know what a crucial role nurses play in hospitals, nursing homes, and health care organizations. Going to graduate school to earn your Master’s degree in Nursing from one of the nursing schools in Maine can prepare you to become a leader in your workplace. There are several nursing programs in Maine, ranging from traditional Master’s of Science in Nursing to RN to MSN Bridge programs and online options. Contact schools today to learn more about how you can take your nursing career and practice to the next stage.
Nursing Programs in Maine
If you have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, you can generally earn an MSN in two years of full-time study or three years of part-time study. In order to complete your degree on a timely basis, you may have to take classes year-round.
Each specialty requires clinical hours. While direct care specialties tend to have the highest clinical requirements, leadership and education tracks also require you to put your skills to use during clinical courses.
Course requirements vary between degrees. In an MSN/MBA program, you may take courses like Financial Accounting and Nursing Research. Nurse education includes classes like Methods of Education in Nursing and Health Assessment & Pharmacology. Classes required in the nurse practitioner route include Primary Health Care of Adults and Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics.
Upon being accepted to an MSN program in Maine, you can start applying for scholarships. OMNE Nursing Leaders of Maine awards a scholarship of $500 every year. The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program is an option for students who are willing to work in a Critical Shortage Facility.
Working With Your MSN in Maine
According to the Maine Action Coalition, there are several areas in which highly-educated nurses are needed. Maine has a large aging population, so Master’s-level nurses with a focus in adult care can deliver evidence-based care to this population.
In addition, Worcester Magazine notes that the preterm birth rate in Maine has increased significantly in recent years. Nurse midwives can play an important role in low-risk pregnancies by educating patients on proper prenatal care and minimizing preterm labor risk factors.
The RN to MSN program is one of the answers to meeting the nursing shortage with nurses trained in leadership and multiple specialty options. These program are specifically designed for you to succeed, especially if you have a record of academic excellence.
Nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives all enjoy full freedom of practice in Maine. This means that if you enter a direct care specialty, you can practice anywhere in Maine without the oversight of a supervising physician.
The job outlook for nurses with advanced degrees is strong in Maine. The Center for Workforce Research and Information identifies three main growth areas in nursing: registered nurses, health services managers, and nurse educators. Registered nursing is the fastest-growing field in the state, and nurse educators are needed to prepare the incoming generation of nurses for practice in Maine. With a combination degree in nursing and business administration, you may be able to fill the role of health services manager.
Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner is an excellent career choice due to the growing elderly population. You may become a nurse practitioner that treats adult or gerontology patients in acute or primary care.
If you are considering becoming a nurse educator, you may have job security as there is a shortage of educators in Maine. This is a fulfilling position where you plan course work, teach nurses at universities, colleges or provide continuing education and hospital, and it is a position that helps the nursing profession as a whole.
Getting your graduate degree may advance your career at a rapid pace and position you to earn a higher income. Learn more by contacting the schools below.
Nursing Schools in Maine
University of Maine at Farmington
Farmington, ME
University of Maine at Presque Isle
Presque Isle, ME
What You Can Expect From Your MSN Program
Maine is a state that is looking ahead to avoid a serious nursing shortage as the nursing workforce is anticipated to face several factors affecting it over the next decades. According to the Maine Nurse Partners, the average age of the state’s RNs is 49.4 years, and nursing faculty represents the oldest segment of working nurses in the state. The Maine Nursing Workforce Strategic Plan addresses these issues and lists several goals to help combat them. One of those goals is to champion a minimum of 10 percent of BSNs into getting their master’s or doctorate degree, thereby increasing the number of nurses qualified to teach others.
If you have been thinking of returning to nursing school to advance your career, this may be the perfect time to get your graduate nursing degree in Maine. There are a number of accredited universities and colleges that have excellent graduate programs in Maine. Contact the schools you find on our site to learn more about your options.
Maine has several different options for masters degrees for nurses. Some of the different routes you may be considering include: Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nursing Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Manager, a Master of Science Degree for Certified or State-Approved Advanced Practice Nurses and a Dual Degree: Master of Science in Nursing and Master of Business Administration. Any of these MSN degrees in Maine can open up a large variety of rewarding professional nursing careers.
One of the most important and popular MSN degree routes is the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program. This graduate program trains you as an advanced practice nurse to function as a primary care practitioner for families from adolescents to older adults. This program generally takes four to six academic semesters, with 50-60 credit hours and a total of 600+ clinical hours spread over three semesters.
The admission criteria for most MSN degree programs in Maine typically includes an application and corresponding fee, along with the following:
- Resume
- GPA of 3.0
- An official transcript from all colleges or universities attended
- Essay
- Standardize tests scores of the GRE, GMAT or MAT
- Letters of recommendation from qualified individuals through direct experience with academic or professional work that comment on your ability to undertake graduate study in your chosen profession
- TOEFL scores for international’s students whose first language is not English
The curriculum for a nurse practitioner degree, and many other MSN programs, may include many of the following courses:
- Advanced Pharmacotherapeutics
- Advance Health Assessment
- Advance Pathophysiology
- Nursing Research
- Primary Care of the Adolescent
- Women’s Health in Primary Care
- Primary Health Care of the Adult I, II, III
- Clinical Practicum and Seminar I, II, III
- Apply Theories for Advance Interpersonal Skills
- Leadership, Health Policy & Role
- Nursing Theory and Knowledge Development
- Elective
- Role Seminar
- Clinical Project
- Two more courses are in the developmental stage and will be required
If you graduate from this program you will be able to function as a primary care practitioner, earning a sense of satisfaction, along with the respect and autonomy that can come from advanced nursing practice. The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers a competency based exam, which is considered a very reliable assessment of your skills and knowledge as a nurse practitioner. The certification may help advance your career more quickly, and it may increase your beginning salary. The current fee for the exam is $250. On the website you also find practice questions and test taking strategies that will help you pass this exam.
Of course, you will want to consider the cost of tuition and other fees before jumping straight into an MSN program in Maine. If you are a working RN and attending school part-time, your employer may have tuition reimbursement. You will also want to be sure to complete a FAFSA application, which may result in financial aid based on your income.
The University of Southern Maine also gives millions in scholarships each year. Many of these programs are reserved for low income students, but there are also merit-based scholarships available. On this university’s website there is a list of private scholarships for undergraduate and graduate degrees that list all the requirements.
If you want to continue your nursing education there are low interest loans from the federal government as well.
Earning your graduate nursing degree in Maine can provide you with several different benefits, from increased autonomy and satisfaction, to a possible salary increase. Whatever you decide to do with your Master’s degree in nursing, you can rest assured that you are benefitting the profession by earning a higher degree. We want to help you reach your goals, so if you have any questions about MSN programs in Maine, please reach out to us today.
Maine RN to MSN Bridge Programs
In the state of Maine, health care is extremely important. The state is home to a large aging population as well as many young families. That’s on top of the thousands of tourists that make their way to Maine every year. With your Associate’s degree in nursing, you may have made a major impact on the nursing industry as a registered nurse. However, you can do even more with a Master’s degree in nursing.
RN-to-MSN programs in Maine can help you complete the education you need in a relatively short period of time. As an MSN graduate, you may contribute to significant nursing overhauls and changes in the state. For example, Maine has lately been extremely successful in reducing the use of deadly antipsychotic medications in nursing homes. Keep reading to learn more about RN-to-MSN bridge programs in Maine, then contact the schools you’re interested in to get additional details.
If you want to know what you can learn as an RN-to-MSN student in Maine, you may want to start by looking at the program outcomes for your school of choice. These learning outcomes can show you just what you need to know as an MSN graduate. Commonly, schools want you to learn how to influence nursing practice through your knowledge of leadership, research, and education theories. In addition, they may check your knowledge of ethical and professional standards. Your critical thinking skills may be tested through numerous real-life issues and clinical exercises. In a clinical program, you may have to demonstrate your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to real clinical decisions.
Obviously, you may have to take a great variety of courses to acquire all of the necessary knowledge and skills. In the first semester or two of your program, you may take classes that introduce you to different aspects of advanced nursing. You may take classes like Nursing Informatics, Nursing Research Methods, Organizational and Systems Leadership, and Advanced Health Assessment. In a leadership-based program, you may take classes like Health Services Administration, Health Care Financial Management, Strategic Planning and Management, and Ethical & Legal Perspectives.
Looking into the prerequisite courses for your RN-to-MSN bridge program can help you ensure that you meet your school’s minimum requirements before you apply. At minimum, you may need a 3.0 GPA in your Associate’s degree program. Furthermore, you may also need one to two years of full-time nursing experience.
The state of Maine has a fairly strong financial support network for nurses, including scholarships awarded by government agencies, nursing employers, schools, and other agencies. It’s worth it to put in the time to study these opportunities, since they can help you save a lot of money. The Finance Authority of Maine has information on hundreds of scholarships, including many that are for nurses. Some scholarships are school-specific, like the Osher Reentry Scholarship Fund. Nursing Leaders of Maine has scholarships available for those that want to go into nurse leadership.
If you plan on going into certain advanced nursing specialties, you may need an advanced practice license from the Maine State Board of Nursing. They have stricter license requirements for nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. You may need to pass an in-depth nursing exam in your specialty and fill out a separate application, all the while maintaining your RN license.
Job growth rates in Maine are fairly positive, giving new nursing professionals room to grow in their careers.
You can become a vital part of the nursing community in Maine by getting an MSN. No matter what you study, your body of knowledge can contribute to nurses’ understanding of evidence and lead to higher care standards for patients. Take the first step by contacting RN-to-MSN schools in Maine directly from our site for more information.
Maine Direct Entry MSN
Maine has several universities for you to earn a master’s degree in nursing even if your bachelor’s degree is in a different field. If you choose to enter direct entry MSN program, you may want to attend a university on a full-time basis, in which case you can earn your Master’s in Nursing in as little as three years. There are also accredited online MSN programs in Maine that are available, which have varied requirements. Take a look at the accelerated and second degree MSN programs available on our site, then request information from schools you are interested in to begin.
Some of the universities in Maine that offer Direct Entry MSN programs include:
- University of Southern Maine
- University of New England
- University of Maine
- Husson University
- Saint Joseph’s College of Maine
- Capella University
- Frontier Nursing University
The direct entry programs offered are designed to allow you to earn your graduate degree in three years, if you attend full-time. The first year requires the completion of a series of basic nursing courses. In the summer of the second year you are required to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). You must pass this test to become a registered nurse in Maine and continue your graduate education.
Recommendations or requirements for admissions typically include:
- Completion of a statistics course with a grade of B- or higher
- Undergraduate pathophysiology with a B- or higher is strongly recommended
- Transcripts from other institutions must be requested by you and forwarded to the School of Nursing
- Complete any other required courses before entering the direct entry program
- All courses completed must have a grade of B- or higher
- A course in anatomy and physiology is highly recommended
The total required credits for completing your accelerated MSN in Maine are around 115.The first courses are basic nursing courses and are listed below:
- Pathophysiology
- Health Related Research
- Pharmacology
- Concepts in Community Health
- Health Assessment and the Practicum
- Transition to Professional Nursing Role for MS Option Students
- Fundamentals of Nursing Lab for MS Option Students
- Nursing Arts and Science for MS Option Students
- Adult/Older Adult Health Nursing and lab
- Mental Health Nursing for MS Option Students and lab
- Community Nursing Partnership for Option Students
- Nursing Care of the Older Adult in the Community
- Reproductive and Sexual Health Nursing and Lab
- Child Health Nursing and Lab
- Advance Nursing Skills Lab
- Management of the Critically Ill Adult/Older Adult for MS Option Students
- Management of the Critically Ill Adult/Older Clinical for MS Option
You will begin to study in one of the following advanced practice nursing concentrations in the second year. These are not all of the specialties you can choose from, but instead represent some of the most common choices of students.
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Adult–Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Some of the required courses you must take to complete the graduate portion of this kind of program are outlined below.
- Advanced Pharmacotherapy
- Advanced Health Assessment
- Nursing Theory & Knowledge Development
- Applied Theories for Advanced Interpersonal Skills
- Graduate Elective – 500/600 level course
- Primary Care of the Child with Episodic Illnesses (FNP only)
- Clinical Project
- Gerontology Course under development (Adult–Gerontology only)
- Primary Health Care of the Adult II, III
- Clinical Practicum & Seminar II, III
- Role Seminar
Your specific schedule will reflect your clinical choice and will include clinical hours, which includes your lab courses. The total clinical hours are approximately 600 hours in advanced nursing programs.
If you choose to become a Family Nurse Practitioner in Maine, you will evaluate and diagnose patients, while ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests plus initiating the appropriate treatments. You will also prescribe medications.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center provides a Credential Award (FNP-BC) if you pass the certification test. The test will cost you $270 if you are a member of the ANA. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners also offers a certification program by passing their exam. It is an excellent idea to obtain one of these certifications to advance your nursing career.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Careers in Nursing scholarship programs has been designed to alleviate the nursing shortage, and they provide scholarships of $10,000 each to more than 1,500 college graduates without nursing degrees. Some of the universities in Maine offer merit scholarships, and low income students should complete the FAFSA application, which is a federal grant program based on financial need. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing contains a long list of financial aid resources on their webpage
There are numerous benefits to obtaining your graduate degree in nursing, which has job security and offers many new challenges. You can select from those schools that offer Direct Entry Master’s in Nursing programs in Maine and contact the ones that interest you.
Maine CRNA Programs
After you’ve attained your bachelor’s degree in nursing and found out what it’s like to work in a critical care setting, you may wonder how you can use your specialized training and passion for patient care to advance your career. Maine, like many other states in the country, has a growing demand for nurse anesthetists. Nurse anesthetists are nurses with training in anesthesiology and pharmacology at the master’s degree level.
The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists reports that nurse anesthetists fulfill a number of different roles in their day-to-day work. You may perform physical assessments on patients to determine the best anesthesia options for them, prepare them for the administration of anesthesia, and actually provide pharmacological pain relief. Throughout procedures, you may maintain anesthetic levels to keep a patient stable. Even after a procedure, your work is still needed. CRNAs can offer post-surgical pain relief and oversee a patient’s post-op healing.
If you’re ready to work in an in-demand nursing setting that requires an attention to detail and a deep knowledge of pharmacology, you may be a great fit for a CRNA program in Maine. To learn more about this career option, find out what it takes to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist by requesting information directly from the schools listed on our site.
Admissions and Curriculum for CRNA Programs in Maine
CRNA programs in Maine may be offered by four-year universities and colleges, particularly those with established nursing programs. As long as you have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, you may be able to graduate from a CRNA program in as little as 2 1/2 years. However, many programs run for three full years. This is due to the fact that CRNA programs require about 50 to 60 credits for graduation.
To be admitted into a CRNA program in Maine, you should have a fairly strong academic history, especially in your nursing courses. A GPA of 3.0 is required, although a GPA higher than 3.5 may be recommended. Work experience in critical care may also be required, so plan on spending some time in the emergency room or the surgical wing before becoming a CRNA student.
The courses you take as a CRNA student are designed to deepen your understanding of the human body, how the human body works, the ways in which anesthesia affects different body systems, and how to properly administer anesthesia. As a new student, you may take courses similar to Principles and Practice of Nurse Anesthesia, Advanced Physiology, Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan, and Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice. As you move into the latter half of your degree, your curriculum may introduce more advanced courses. These classes include Professional Role of the Nurse Anesthetist, Nurse Anesthesia Residency, and Seminar in Nurse Anesthesia Practice. In addition to giving you plenty of education in the classroom, these courses help you develop clinical experience. Upon graduation, you should have more than 550 hours of clinical experience.
Maine employers, organizations, and schools may offer scholarships to advanced nursing students. The Finance Authority of Maine awards numerous scholarships to nursing students. The American Nurses Association of Maine funds scholarships of $250 to $500 for nursing students. Local organizations like the Maine Community Foundation hosts several grant opportunities, including the Ruth Milan-Altrusa Scholarship.
Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Maine
After you complete your nurse anesthesia degree, you still have to complete the licensure process before you can officially begin working in Maine. This requires you to apply for certification through the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. You may get your certification after passing a rigorous nurse anesthesia exam. From there, you can have your exam scores sent to the Maine State Board of Nursing. Once they verify that you have taken the appropriate courses and thoroughly filled out your application, you can get licensed in Maine.
As a nurse anesthesia professional, you may wish to network with other professionals to make the most out of your career and stay on top of industry expectations. The Maine Association of Nurse Anesthetists provides support to nurse anesthetists via advocacy, legislative support, networking events, and continuing education.
Nurse anesthetists in Maine enjoy a fairly stable job outlook and strong salaries.
Furthering your nursing career with a degree in nurse anesthesia can have major advantages, both for you and for your nursing community. Your increased education may help you implement evidence-based care standards wherever you work, while your new body of skills may give patients the chance to receive effective pain relief. Not only may you increase your earning potential, by becoming a CRNA, you might find great career satisfaction in this field.
Becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist begins with the right education. To take the first step in your new field, contact Maine CRNA schools today.
Clinical Nurse Leader Degrees in Maine
Maine residents largely rely on the services of registered nurses in times of emergency, when preventative care is needed, and in various other health care situations. Over the duration of your RN career, you’ve probably gained invaluable skills, insights, and intuition that make you an asset to this field.
Have you considered applying your skills to a nurse leadership career? Maine health care is changing. The need for mental health services is growing, which means that facilities need strong leadership and guidance from those with clinical experience (Maine Public Broadcast Network).
Nursing administrators have slowly expanded their role in Maine facilities. They support the well-being of patients in numerous ways and strengthen the efficiency of the nursing process (MD Islander). Through their efforts, they help long-term patients maintain as much independence as possible.
Finding out more about nurse leadership and what this career involves is the first step to advancing your career. Contact Maine nurse leadership graduate programs below to learn more about programs in your area.
How Can I Become a Clinical Nurse Leader in Maine?
Education is crucial in any nursing career, and that holds true for the field of nursing leadership. Earning a Master’s degree in nurse leadership provides you with the educational background, professional experience, and critical thinking skills you need to serve as a mentor and role model to nurses at different levels of education.
When you begin your career, you may be responsible for a huge variety of tasks from day to day. Nurse leadership programs are designed with these tasks and responsibilities in mind. As you earn your 36 graduate credits, you should develop the skills you need to work independently in any health care setting.
To check your progress, your instructors may look at the CNL program’s learning outcomes, such as those listed below:
- Work as a clinical leader in a generalist role
- Develop strong clinical decision making skills
- Utilize differential diagnosis techniques
- Work with individuals and families
- Perform proper assessments and interventions
While some schools have broad, general learning outcomes that can be summed up in a few sentences, others list very specific competencies that are required of students. Getting familiar with the expectations of different schools may assist you in your school decision.
Each course you complete should bring you closer to working on your own as a nurse leader. The following courses are often required of nurse leadership students in Maine:
- Health Systems, Policy, and Economics
- Theoretical Foundations of Leadership in Nursing
- Advanced Pathophysiology
- Nursing Research
- Clinical Nurse Leader Immersion
- Principles of Health Care Finance
If you continue working while earning your degree, you’ll keep your nursing license up-to-date as part of your work requirements. However, even if you do not work during this time, make sure you renew your license with the Maine State Board of Nursing. Renewal applications are due by the last day of your birth month every two years. Currently, there are no continuing education requirements for Maine nurses.
Keeping your RN license can help you become certified as a Clinical Nurse Leader more quickly. The testing and licensing process is regulated by the AACN, which requires renewal every five years.
What Does a Clinical Nurse Leader Do?
Achieving this level of certification, education, and experience makes you a significant player in the nursing industry of Maine. Furthermore, you may establish yourself as a leader in the New England nursing community as a whole. This involves working with nurses at different levels, patients, patients’ families, executives, and policymakers, all of whom trust your clinical judgment and reasoning.
As indicated in the title Clinical Nurse Leader, clinical work is the primary concentration in this job title. Devoting most of your time to clinical work allows you to develop stronger relationships with nurses on your team, keeps your knowledge of clinical standards and procedures up-to-date, and enables you to fully understand the applications of research and policy.
Engaging with the nursing community can help you stay on top of their concerns and goals. Nursing Leaders of Maine is a local organization that can help you make the most of your CNL role and education.
Your education and experience can make you a role model for other nurses and strengthen the trust that patients have in their care providers.
Use the list of graduate nurse leadership programs in Maine to find the right educational program for you.
Maine Research Nursing Graduate Programs
As the largest state in New England, Maine is a health care leader in this region. This state has some of the largest health care providers in the region and many well-known nursing schools. As a registered nurse, you have likely benefited from nurse research and the advances that come about because of it. Your knowledge of patient needs and patient care protocols can make you a valuable asset to research facilities throughout Maine.
There are quite a few institutions and organizations that are dedicated to nursing research in Maine. The Center for Nursing Research and Quality Outcomes gathers data, uses it to analyze the performance of different health care providers, and come up with ways to strengthen Maine’s nursing industry. This opportunity may allow you to concentrate on specific areas of health care or explore areas of potential growth in nursing.
If you are excited about the possibilities presented by nursing research, request information from schools to learn more about research nursing graduate programs in Maine.
Maine Graduate Degree Programs in Nursing Research
Before you can get started in the field of clinical research, you must have a Master’s degree. Because of this requirement, a Bachelor’s degree in nursing is necessary for acceptance to a program. If you attend school full-time, you may be able to graduate in two to three years. Most research nursing programs require about 30 credits.
Getting familiar with the curriculum of your program of choice can help you see what you can learn in this field. Courses that may be part of your curriculum include Quantitative Research Design, Comparative Qualitative Research Design, Philosophy of Nursing Science, Quantitative Measurements and Theory, Qualitative Data Collection Methods, and Ethics of Nursing Research.
It may seem like some of these courses are very heavy on the theory of nursing and research. However, practical nursing experience is also extremely important. By the time you graduate, you may have accumulated more than 300 hours of research experience. During this time, you may even design your own study and see it through to completion. Clinical hours can help you decide which area of research you want to focus on after graduation and start building the professional network you need to make that happen.
You might want to start the financial aid application process early. This gives you the chance to apply for as many awards as possible. The American Nursing Association of Maine awards scholarships of $250 to $500 each year.
The Role of Clinical Nurse Researchers in Maine
Expected job growth in the field of nurse research is fairly stable in Maine.
In your role as a nurse researcher, your findings may contribute to legislative efforts and decisions. Maine was one of the first states to pass legislation regarding Lyme disease and how it is treated by health care professionals. These sorts of decisions can have a ripple effect on the health care industry.
Are you ready to take the next step in your nursing career? If you are ready to get started, check out our list of research nursing programs in Maine and request more information.
Maine Certified Nurse Midwife Programs
Throughout the course of a woman’s life, she may seek medical care for a variety of situations and maladies. This may include preventative care that permits her to stay healthy and avoid major health problems, as well as care for huge life changes like pregnancy and childbearing. As a certified nurse midwife in Maine, you can help a woman through all of these situations.
Certified nurse midwives focus on women’s health care issues and provide high-quality, evidence-based care. If you’d like to learn more about how to enter this profession, contact the Maine nursing schools that offer CNM programs today to get started.
In Maine, you may have the chance to make a real difference as a certified nurse midwife. Many women are opting for midwifery care during pregnancy and delivery, thanks to the flexibility it offers. If you’re looking for an advanced nursing career that may allow you to really get to know your patients, learn more about certified nurse midwife programs in Maine.
Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife in Maine
Becoming a CNM can be a lengthy process that tests your nursing skills to the max and makes you a more efficient care provider in various ways. With a Bachelor’s degree in nursing and at least one year of full-time nursing experience, you may be on your way to a CNM program. These programs tend to require at least two or three years of full-time study, leading to the completion of 30 or more advanced nursing credits.
On top of your classroom courses, you must work through a number of clinical experiences. In total, you should gain over 1,000 hours of experience working with women in an advanced care setting.
As you look through the curriculum of your nursing program, you may find that you address a number of skills and develop your theoretical understanding in a variety of areas. You may begin with core courses like Statistics for Health Professions, Nursing Issues in Health Care Delivery, and Research in Nursing. High-level courses in your education may include Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics Across the Lifespan, Midwifery Management and Practicum, Professional Issues and Role Development in Nurse Midwifery, and Care During Pregnancy.
As you near the end of your education, you may complete an internship or residency to pull all of your new skills together in one practice setting.
Once you have been accepted to a certified nurse midwife program in Maine, you may wish to start looking into financial aid options. Doing so early and often can help you make the most of your funding opportunities. Through the Maine State Nurses Association, you can check out different scholarships and apply for those that you qualify for. RSU26, located in Orono, funds the Aspiring Nurse Scholarship. Numerous scholarships are also awarded by the Finance Authority of Maine.
Working as a Certified Nurse Midwife in Maine
As a certified nurse midwife, you may be the primary care provider for the vast majority of your patients. Because of the level of responsibility that comes with this position, you must meet stringent licensing requirements on a national level and a statewide level. First, you can obtain your national certification through the American Midwifery Certification Board. They put you through a rigorous test before administering your certification.
The final step is getting your license from the Maine State Board of Nursing. They check your qualifications, check for certification, and give you advanced standing on your current nursing license.
Maine has a growing need for advanced practice nurses, which may make this an excellent place to advance your career and become a CNM.
You can change the course of your nursing career significantly by expanding your education. Get started today by checking out our list of schools and contacting certified nurse midwife programs in Maine.
Maine Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs
As the largest state in New England, Maine has a responsibility to maintain high health care standards and serve as an example for other states in the region. If you’ve gained experience as a registered nurse and learned more about the health care industry as a whole, you may be ready to tackle the field of advanced nursing and take on a bigger role in patient care, nursing research, and facility leadership.
Clinical nurse specialists are incredibly important in Maine’s health care field. In a CNS program, you can develop an advanced understanding of research, treatment protocols, and patient care to positively impact your place of employment.
Contact the Maine nursing schools with CNS programs today to learn more.
Your work can even extend to the entire health care industry. Clinical nurse specialists may create treatment protocols to battle memory loss, minimize post-surgery infections, or improve patient outcomes, depending on which specialty is chosen. Learn more about CNS programs in Maine to find out if this is the next step in your career.
Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Maine
Working hard and dedicating yourself to your nursing courses as an undergraduate student can help you prepare for your time as a clinical nurse specialist student. With a GPA of at least 3.0 and one year of registered nursing experience, you may be ready to tackle the challenges of a Maine clinical nurse specialist program. You should plan on spending at least two years in school while earning 30 to 40 credits in advanced nursing courses.
The courses you’re required to take vary from school to school. However, it’s likely that your nursing curriculum may include courses like Nursing Concepts and Theories, Research for Health Professionals, and Ethics for Health Professionals. On top of core nursing courses, you may take classes that specifically apply to the population you want to serve as a CNS. During your courses, you should complete over 500 clinical hours that help you develop your clinical leadership abilities.
Picking a specialty should be a major part of choosing a school and beginning your education. The specialty you select may determine what kind of research you conduct, which population you work with, and which job openings you can consider after graduation. It’s important to take your time choosing and adequately prepare for your education.
Maine nursing students are often in an excellent position to apply for loans, scholarships, and grants. Through the Finance Authority of Maine, you may simultaneously apply for multiple scholarships at once. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars. You may also look into scholarship opportunities available through the Maine State Nurses Association. Nursing Leaders of Maine is another good local resource for scholarships.
Working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Maine
The final step to working as a clinical nurse specialist is getting your nursing license. As long as you’ve maintained your registered nursing license throughout your education, this process should be fairly quick. After passing a thorough exam and providing proof of your credentials, you may get your advanced practice license from the Maine State Board of Nursing.
Are you ready to expand your scope of practice and step up to a new career? Find out more about your options by reaching out to clinical nurse specialist programs in Maine.
Maine Public Health Graduate Programs
While working as a registered nurse, you’ve likely come to understand how important public health is to society at large. This is particularly true in Maine, where the population density is high and disease outbreaks can get out of control very quickly. Public health nurses can use data and reports to make decisions that keep communities safe. Public health nursing is one way that you can increase your scope of practice and take your career to the next level.
The state of Maine runs a statewide CDC Public Health Nursing Program. Through this, the state hires nurses to investigate health hazards and problems, enforce health laws, educate residents, create health policies, and monitor the health status of different communities.
Contact public health nursing graduate programs in Maine now to find out how you can get started in this field.
Master’s Degree Programs in Public Health Nursing in Maine
A Master’s degree in public health nursing is the first step to a rewarding career in this specialty. Since this is an advanced nursing degree, you must already have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Furthermore, public health nurses often work independently and have to make swift decisions that are in line with policies and evidence. Due to these requirements, many schools require several years of full-time nursing experience before you can apply to a public health program.
The curriculum for each public health nursing program is slightly different, but the vast majority of Maine nursing schools cover the same topics. You may explore the world of public health and your role in it by taking courses like Health Systems and Public Health, Epidemiology, Nursing Inquiry for Evidence-Based Practice, Advanced Practice in Community Health Systems, and Health Politics & Policy.
Since public health nursing is vastly different from working as a registered nurse, clinical experience is an essential part of this program. By working with public health agencies, policymakers, and experienced public health nurses, you can find out how your knowledge is used in different work environments.
Maine has quite a few grants available for nurses who want to take their education further. Nursing Leaders of Maine is one of the largest groups in the state for graduate-level nurses and nursing students. Consider applying for their scholarship and networking with other nursing professionals.
The Role of Public Health Nurses in Maine
When you start your career, you may find that you have the chance to work on a number of projects and initiatives that are extremely important to Maine residents. Public health nurses can develop rating systems, teach residents about how to make good health decisions, address health crises throughout the state, and minimize the spread of disease.
Your job outlook may be more solid after you graduate, since public health nurses fill roles that many registered nurses are not qualified to fill.
You can use your career to help Maine reach its full potential in the world of health care. Find out what the next step is by reaching out to public health nursing programs in Maine.
Graduate Nursing Programs in Healthcare Policy in Maine
As a nurse, you have likely had plenty of experience with how healthcare policies and laws affect your career and what you can do as a nurse. However, as a nurse, you can also have an impact on healthcare policy. As the largest state in New England, it is important for the healthcare industry of Maine to serve as an example and enforce high standards throughout the industry.
The importance of healthcare policy is extremely apparent now, with the Affordable Care Act using statistics, patient reports, and other forms of data to determine the type and amount of funding that facilities receive. In Maine, eight hospitals were recently penalized for inadequate patient safety standards (Fosters). Through the creation of strong policies and laws, nurses in Maine can protect the safety of their patients and create a work environment in which they can drive.
If you want to use your nursing knowledge and experience to change the industry in a different way, keep reading to find out more about graduate healthcare policy programs in Maine.
Master’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Policy in Maine
Health policy is a fairly complex area of study with many nuances and specialized areas of knowledge. To get your foot in the door in healthcare policy, you must have a Master’s degree in health policy.
Before you can begin studying at this level, you will likely need a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Preferably, you will have at least two years of full-time nursing experience. Some schools have more rigorous experience requirements, while others have no experience requirements. Keep this in mind while evaluating different schools.
To graduate with a Master’s degree in healthcare policy, you may need to earn upwards of 40 credits. This is due to the complexity of this field. Not only must you study healthcare legislation and what goes into the creation of a policy, must understand various concepts of public health, such as epidemiology and financial aspects of healthcare.
To complete your education, you may enroll in courses like Planning Theory and History, Environmental Health, Topics in Public Health, Applied Biostatistical Analysis, Social and Behavioral Health, Health Systems Organization and Management, and Health Literacy.
The majority of programs in Maine expect you to complete a practicum course or an internship. This part of your training is extremely valuable, since working in policy or administration is extremely different from your role as a registered nurse.
Maintaining your registered nursing license is essential in any nursing career. The Maine Board of Nursing expects you to submit your renewal application by the last day of your birth month every two years. There are no continuing education requirements in the state.
How Do Nurses Impact Healthcare Policy in Maine?
If you delve into Maine healthcare policies and how they have been implemented across the state, you may find that many were influenced or created by nurses. The Maine State Nurses Association has played a prominent role in legislation for many years.
In 2015, alone, they advocated for bills that strengthened the Medicaid program, clarified policies that covered critical care health services, supported policies that made hospice care available, and established mental health programs in schools.
Throughout this state, there are many agencies and institutions that may work in healthcare policy. The Maine Public Health Association works primarily for improved patient health and safety standards. They typically influence public health through policy and the creation of laws.
If you have become an established part of the nursing industry, you may be nervous about getting involved in the arena of healthcare policy. However, by targeting your efforts in this area, you have the potential to make huge improvements in the field of healthcare.
Check out your options and find out how you can get started by contacting Master’s in healthcare policy programs in Maine.
Hospice Nursing in Maine
The field of nursing relies on professionals’ ability to handle difficult choices, remain calm while patients panic, and provide evidence-based care in any situation. In the state of Maine, where the aging population is growing rapidly, it’s important for patients to have options when they have terminal diagnoses.
Home palliative care allows patients to live out their final days in the setting of their choosing while having their requests respected. As a registered nurse, you may be considering hospice/palliative care certification. Through the Home Care and Hospice Alliance of Maine, healthcare professionals can learn about this field and discover the long-term goals of palliative care. The Maine Hospice Council advocates for patients, care providers, and family members.
Find out if palliative care is the next step in your nursing career. Request information on palliative care nurse certification by contacting Maine schools below.
Master’s Degree Programs in Hospice/Palliative Care Nursing in Maine
With a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, you may be able to earn your advanced hospice nursing degree in two to three years. A Master’s degree often requires 30 to 50 credits. If you have an Associate’s degree, you may combine your undergraduate and graduate courses in a four-year RN-to-MSN program.
Whether you choose to become a palliative care nurse practitioner or a palliative care clinical nurse specialist, you must choose a patient population to specialize in before finishing your required hospice care courses.
Hospice Nursing Education: Maine Course Options
- Person-Centered and Interprofessional Palliative Care
- Advanced Topics in Palliative Care
- Palliative Care Quality Metrics
- Ethics in Hospice and Palliative Care
- Pain Management
- Non-Pain Symptom Management
- End-of-Life Care Issues
Most of your clinical hours should come from your primary degree, so you may get experience in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes. Once you complete your core clinical hours, you may need to meet further requirements for your hospice degree.
Through local nursing groups and national hospice care groups, you may minimize your educational costs by applying for scholarships. The Hospice & Palliative Nurses Foundation funds scholarships at all educational levels, including a $2,000 scholarship for Master’s degree students.
State licensure is regulated by the Maine State Board of Nursing. To become nationally certified, you have to meet the requirements of the Hospice & Palliative Credentialing Center. This involves spending 500 hours working in advanced hospice nursing over a period of one year or finishing 1,000 hours of experience over a period of two years.
The Role of Hospice/Palliative Care Nurses in Maine
You may work for standalone hospice care providers or hospice departments in larger healthcare facilities after you become a licensed advanced practice nurse. Major employers in Maine include Hospice of Southern Maine, VNA HomeHealth, and York Hospital Home Care & Hospice. No matter where you begin your hospice career, you may find that your work duties fluctuate on a daily basis. You may need to be available for on-call shifts that last 24 hours or more, since changes in patient status can occur unexpectedly.
Patient and family communication is an essential part of your career. In addition to meeting patients’ medical needs, you may go the extra mile to meet their spiritual and emotional needs. All in all, your goal is to respect their wishes to the fullest extent possible and improve their quality of life as much as you can.
Becoming a hospice nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist can put you in a position to change lives. Reach out to Maine nursing programs and learn more.