A survey by the Maine Board of Nursing found that approximately nine percent of RNs in Maine have an MSN, which is comparable to the national average. About six percent of these MSNs are advanced practice nurses - the rest are educators, administrators, and researchers.
Shortages exist in almost all MSN practice areas in the state. Although Maine has historically had a higher ratio of advanced practice nurses to population than the national average, the state has more residents who live in rural areas with primary care provider shortages than the national average. More demand for NPs is likely because of healthcare reform initiatives and a greater shift toward a primary care focus.
A study out of the University of Southern Maine found that mental health NPs in particular are moving into rural practice. The ratio of these providers per 100,000 people is about 10 percent, compared to a national average of about three percent. In fact, almost 20 percent of the state's total mental health NPs practice in rural areas, compared to about 13 percent nationally.
Like the rest of the country, Maine has a shortage of nurse educators, especially in pre-RN programs, where MSN-prepared nurses typically work. More MSN programs throughout the state are tailoring their programs to meet this need. For more information, check out the Maine Board of Nursing, Maine Nurse Practitioner Association, and the Maine State Nurses Association.
Programs to consider:
Husson University (Bangor, ME). HU's MSN programs include nurse practitioner specialties (including mental health) and education.
University of Maine (Orono, ME). Along with a nurse practitioner track, UM offers an individualized MSN that can be tailored to your career goals and expertise.
