Every nurse was a student first

Date: 04/28/2021

We know our nursing students are an investment in the future of this extremely important profession and our organization. Nursing students who are embraced by leaders and team members throughout their clinical rotations are more likely to accept their first position at the hospital. Due to the national nursing shortage, new graduate nurses have ample career opportunities when they graduate and, by working together with the University of Maine, we know we are building stronger nurses.
 
University of Maine Nursing students have expressed positive satisfaction from their experiences as students at our Medical Center throughout the past year during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the UMaine School of Nursing has appreciated the leadership and nurses’ commitment to students.
 
The School of Nursing also values the recognition that safe, compassionate nurses who provide evidence-based care must start somewhere--all nurses were students once. Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center welcomed nursing students during one of the most challenging health crises of our lifetime and also filled in the clinical training gaps when other organizations have been unable to do so.
 
Our commitment to nursing students is a promise to focus on patient safety and provide patient-centered care. Without students, there are no future nurses. Let’s hear from a few students about the partnership and their experiences this year. 
 
Courtney Benson spent time in our ICU and says the best part of her partnership was the ability to hone clinical nursing skills in preparation for future work as a registered nurse. She says, “I have learned so much about critical care nursing over the course of my partnership. I have been able to network with so many different individuals throughout the last three months, and this partnership has allowed me the opportunity to learn about the ins and outs of bedside nursing.”
 
Ashley Ouellette trained on Grant 8 Pediatrics and recalls her experience truly feeling like she was part of the team. She says, “Everyone is so helpful and encouraging, I have already had so many new experiences and developed new relationships during the short time I have been here. I am looking forward to what the second half of my partnership holds.”
 
And finally, Jane Stevens was with the team in the Emergency Department and feels the partnership has given her the ability to become more confident in patient care and overall nursing skills, as well as the opportunity to feel more prepared as she transitions from a student to a nurse.
 
Congratulations to these budding nurses and thank you to the leaders and Medical Center for helping create the future of nursing!