UMaine System Has Plan To Help With State Nurse Shortage

Leaders of the University of Maine system announced Wednesday announced a 5 year plan to meet the ever growing need of nurses across the state. The plan would involve expanding nursing programs to more rural parts of the state which wouldn't normally have access. They would also help more students in need with financial aid to help them get the degrees needed.

It has been reported that with the current workforce getting close to retirement, by 2025 nearly 3,000 vacancies for nurses will be opening up. Hoping to counter this, the UMaine system is hoping to double its attendance from 1,900 to 3,800 by 2025.

The plan also calls for the system to expand its opportunities in more rural communities, including Brunswick, Machias, Ellsworth, Rockland and Rumford, more than doubling the number of locations where students can receive nursing education.