EMCC Announces High School Nursing Pathway

Bangor, ME – Eastern Maine Community College (EMCC) and United Technologies Center (UTC), both located on Hogan Road in Bangor, have launched an exciting Nursing pathway for high school students to earn college credit. This pathway would allow students to graduate high school with most of their general education courses complete, making for a seamless entry into EMCC’s Nursing program. Once in the Nursing program, students would only have two years at the college before graduating and becoming a registered nurse (RN).

Dawn Mitchell RN, Health Occupations Instructor, says of the program, “This dual/concurrent enrollment program allows students to earn college credit prior to high school graduation. College-level courses are taught at UTC by instructors approved by the college.” She goes on to say that students who take these courses while still in high school gain professional and personal skills that set them up for success when transitioning into college at EMCC.

Students in the pathway are also encouraged to contact Northern Light Health to participate in a paid internship. Students will be able to start inpatient transport services and move into CNA roles upon completion of relevant coursework. Placements at the hospital in this next year may be slowed due to the pandemic.

EMCC, UTC, Hancock County Technical Center (HCTC), Bridge Academy, and Northern Light plan on holding a ceremony to celebrate the partnership later this month.

The Bridge Academy and Nearpeer are also supporting these students. By engaging with both partners, students are able to connect with their peers at EMCC and gain readiness skills in order to be successful in college.

EMCC’s Nursing Program has been ranked as #1 in the state by RegisteredNursing.org for two years in a row thanks to the program’s 100% NCLEX pass rate and 100% job placement rate over the last three years.

For parents or students who are interested in learning more about this pathway, please contact your guidance counselor or email UTC’s Amanda Peterson at apeterson@utc4me.org.

For more information on the partnership ceremony later this month, please email mhughes@emcc.edu.