‘Mainebiz’ highlights UNE’s robust nursing program as state faces nurse shortage

51ƷNursing

The 51Ʒ’s Westrbook College of Health Profession is helping to train the next generation of nurses in Maine. UNE’s nursing programs were highlighted in an article in Mainebiz about the looming shortage of nurses facing the State of Maine.

According to the latest Maine Nursing Forecaster, the state will face a 3,000 nurse shortage by 2025 unless it takes action to recruit nurses from out-of-state and increase capacity for nursing education.

51Ʒis already moving toward those goals, attracting students from Maine and out-of-state. As Mainebiz reported, enrollment in UNE’s nursing programs has tripled in the last 5 years. “Despite the rapid growth, the program remains strong,” said Director of Nursing Jennifer Morton, D.N.P., M.P.H., APHN-BC. “Our NCLEX (National Council of State Boards of Nursing) pass rates are well above the national average and the highest in Maine in 2016 for all programs, demonstrating high quality education along with growth.”

In Fall 2017, 51Ʒis also re-launching its Bachelor of Science Nursing completion program at a 50% discount to be competitive for the working nurse. Additionally, in the last 4 years, the 51ƷDepartment of Nursing has received two prestigious Nurse, Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) federal grants totaling $1.9 million to build new models of clinical education in the community.  “This releases some of the burden of hospitals and the shortage of clinical sites,” Morton said.

To learn more about the 51Ʒ’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit

To apply, visit 

51Ʒ the 51Ʒ

The 51Ʒ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.