Maine RN Programs

Being a Registered Nurse in Maine (ME)

Possible candidates looking at Maine RN Programs should think of themselves as caregivers and leaders seeking knowledge to share with patients and their families. Aspiring nurses may seek an Associates degree in order to fast-track into the nursing field, while those looking to build upon previous education in anatomy and physiology, psychology and sociology and childhood education, may look to the Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree track. To be a registered nurse in Maine you must be driven and hardworking and exhibit a passion for people and health care. The average RN salary in Maine is $75,040 a year, or $36 an hour. 

Availability of Maine RN Classes

Depending on the route one takes to obtain a degree or certificate in Registered Nursing (RN), there are several Maine RN Programs offered to complete your goal. For those individuals looking to complete coursework faster, institutions such as Maine community colleges and technical schools might be the right path. Students looking to spend more time in research or theory based practice may want to look at four year schools or universities to obtain a degree.

Types of Maine RN Classes

The most common routes to becoming a Registered Nurse in Maine are Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The faster choice is an ADN which typically takes two years and includes up to 10 prerequisite courses. An ADN degree from Maine trains students in practical knowledge as opposed to theory and research. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes four to five years to finish. Students build on their previous education by studying theory and research in depth in order to see the bigger picture.

Course Work Required for Maine RN Programs

Maine ADN students will fulfill requirements for their degree by taking entry level sciences such as biology, anatomy, and psychology and one or two college math courses depending on placement. Consequently, ADN students spend more time on practical knowledge rather than theory. BSN students in Maine will build on their prior education by taking more classes dealing with theory and research. Those classes may include more specific topics like pharmacology, nursing theory and research, acute needs and various electives such as anthropology or sociology.

State Licensing Requirements

All nursing candidates in Maine must apply for eligibility to the board of nursing. The Maine Board of Nursing charges an application fee of $75 to all applicants. Candidates will then take the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). This comprehensive test applies the skills and knowledge nursing students have learned thus far. The NCLEX-RN is administered by Pearson Vue at a cost of $200. Once nursing candidates pass the exam they are licensed to begin working as an RN in Maine.

Job Outlook in Maine for Registered Nurses

Openings in nursing homes, residential care, hospitals, private facilities and physician’s offices, and urgent care are growing to the tune of 21.1% from 2002-2012. In 2010, registered nurses in the state of Maine earned an average hourly wage of $30.65 and (median) annual salary of $62,713.

Maine Associates Degree RN Programs

Accredited Maine RN Schools

See our complete list of qualified RN nursing education programs in the state of Maine. The schools listed here offer pre-licensure registered nursing programs that meet the nursing education requirements set forth by the Maine State Board of Nursing. The two most common types of RN programs are: two-year Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) and four-year Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN). Although the schools listed on this page are accredited by the Maine Board of Nursing and approved by the state of Maine, they might not be accredited by national organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Individuals should check to see if the state-approved nursing school they are considering also enjoys national accreditation status if they are seeking a school with both accreditations.