The Central Maine Community College Nursing Program at LincolnHealth continues to play an important part in training students for a rewarding healthcare career in nursing while helping to combat the growing nursing shortage in Maine.

Established in 2008, CMCC’s program in Damariscotta brings together top educators and clinicians to offer an associate’s degree in nursing.

“This collaborative allows for people from Lincoln, Knox and neighboring counties to pursue their dreams closer to home,’’ said Cathy Cole, regional director of education. “While we hope that the nurses who move through this program choose to live and work in this area, we recognize that any additions to the nursing workforce in Maine is significant.” In the last five years, 26 students have graduated from the program with 21 choosing to work at either LincolnHealth or Pen Bay Medical Center.

“This was a life-changing experience for me,’’ said Michelle Flanders, a single mom with two children who resides in Union. Flanders recently graduated the program and is working as a medical/surgical nurse.

“For the first time in my life, I will be able to fully support myself and my two children financially without having to rely on my family and state funding,’’ she said. Flanders will bolster her income by 150 percent, and her schedule allows for greater work-life balance. “The work schedule is perfect for me so I can spend time with my family and see my daughter off to school every morning,’’ she said.

The nursing program features partnerships with CMCC, LincolnHealth Miles campus nursing departments and Cove’s Edge Long-Term Care. Once students have completed pre-requisite courses like anatomy and physiology and are accepted into CMCC’s nursing program, they attend nursing classes at the LincolnHealth Education Center located in Damariscotta. Clinical training begins at the LincolnHealth Miles Campus and at Cove's Edge long term care and skilled nursing services. Additional clinical placements are at MaineGeneral.

To start taking courses that are required before joining the nursing program (English, anatomy and physiology, psychology and others) go to https://www.cmcc.edu/admissions-aid/admissions/info-on-applying/ to view the requirements and apply.

Classes must be completed before the next nursing program begins in the fall of 2020 but you must apply for the program before Feb. 28, 2020 for consideration.

For questions or more information, please contact Cathy Cole, LH Education at 207-563-4830 or cathy.cole@lchcare.org