Dem Govs Get It Done: Gov. Janet Mills’ Proposed Expansion of Nursing Education Could Cut State Shortage

Maine Public recently reported that the projected shortage of nurses in Maine has been cut in half thanks to the expansion of nursing education programs. And Gov. Janet Mills’ proposed supplemental budget would invest an additional $2.5 million for community college and nursing programs to double nursing graduate numbers, potentially shrinking the shortage even more.

“This would help us to recruit faculty, expand our program, expand the equipment for our program,” said Dr. Michael Nozdrovicky, head of the nursing department at Southern Maine Community College.

Gov. Mills has been laser-focused on addressing the nursing shortage. In addition to her supplemental budget, she has directed millions of dollars through her Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan to strengthen Maine’s health care workforce and provided $140 million to hospitals and nursing homes, helping hospitals increase pay or provide bonuses to attract a larger workforce.

“Gov. Janet Mills’ proposed investments in community colleges and nursing programs will cut the nursing shortage even further and benefit all Mainers, who deserve quality care in hospitals,” said DGA Senior Communications Advisor Christina Amestoy. “The pandemic has shown how critical it is to have a robust nursing workforce, and Gov. Mills continues to deliver solutions to this shortage.”

###