UMaine Machias, UMA partner to offer bachelor’s degree in nursing

Leaders of the University of Maine at Machias and the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) have signed a formal agreement enabling UMaine Machias students to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing beginning next year.

Known as the Downeast Nursing track, the program will allow UMaine Machias students residing on campus or in the region to earn a four-year nursing degree from UMA while conducting nearly all of their studies on the Machias campus or online. Given the deliberate structure of coursework, participating students will earn two fully accredited four-year degrees simultaneously: a bachelor of nursing degree from UMA and a bachelor of college studies degree from UMaine Machias.

“The initiative addresses student interest as well as the high demand for skilled healthcare providers, particularly in Washington County,” said Joan Ferrini-Mundy, president of the UMaine and UMaine Machias. “The agreement takes advantage of the University of Maine System’s unified accreditation and commitment to opportunity and collaboration among its institutions and faculty.”  

“The combination of UMaine Machias’ flexible and comprehensive college studies degree with UMA’s holistic nursing degree will provide our students with the skills to succeed professionally and with resilience in healthcare’s high-stress work environment,” said Megan Walsh, UMaine Machias’ dean and campus director. “We look forward to welcoming our first cohort to campus in the fall of 2025.”  

Students participating in the new program will be jointly enrolled at both UMaine Machias and UMA. UMA’s nursing faculty will provide instruction through online learning, while UMaine Machias’ faculty will provide introductory and general education coursework. 

Students will also have access to UMA’s nursing simulation lab at the school’s Ellsworth Center and will conduct their clinical work at either Down East Community Hospital in Machias, Calais Community Hospital, or at other healthcare institutions. 

“The University of Maine at Augusta is delighted to partner with the University of Maine at Machias on a nursing agreement, and build on the momentum of our nursing agreement with the University of Maine at Farmington,” said Jenifer Cushman, UMA’s president. “We appreciate the opportunities that the University of Maine System’s unified accreditation offers in academic collaborations like these, and look forward to working with our sister institutions.”

Machias area healthcare leaders also see the regional value the new nursing program will provide.

“We are very excited to work with UMaine Machias on this program and plan to be an enthusiastic and supportive partner in making it a success,” said Steve Lail, president and CEO of Down East Community Hospital and Calais Community Hospital. “Local access to nursing programs will benefit the students, our hospitals, the university and the entire community and help address the ongoing nursing shortages for all healthcare organizations in Washington County.

“Down East Community Hospital is committed to making this program successful and sustainable in the long term,” he said.

The Downeast Nursing track complements another nursing education opportunity for UMaine Machias students known as Machias Nursing Pathways. Launched in 2022, that program enables students to complete the standard two-semester sequence at UMaine Machias. Once they complete those semesters and satisfy the state’s nursing education progression standards, they may move directly into the bachelor of science in nursing degree program in Orono at the University of Maine. 

Unlike that program, the new Downeast Nursing program allows students to remain in the Machias region for the duration of their four-year program. 

UMaine Machias is a regional campus of the University of Maine, the state’s land-grant and flagship university. UMaine Machias awards baccalaureate and associate degrees, as well as certificates. It is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education as part of the University of Maine. Established in 1909, UMaine Machias is the easternmost university campus in the United States. The creative energy of its students and faculty, coupled with the applied research and community engagement they conduct, enhance the social, cultural, economic and natural landscapes of the Downeast region and state as a whole. The area’s bountiful natural resources and rich environmental, recreational, cultural and educational traditions inform the campus.