HOULTON, Maine — The Region Two School of Applied Technology and the University of Maine at Fort Kent have announced a collaboration that will allow Region Two students to enroll in UMFK’s nursing program with their first year already completed.
The new program, known as “Rural U Nursing: Health Sciences Alliance Program”, combines UMFK’s nursing program with its Rural U Early College and Concurrent Enrollment Program. High school students can earn 24 or more university credits, enough for one full academic year.
The credits apply to UMFK as well as the University of Maine at Presque Isle, which also carries UMFK’s nursing program.
While this program provides an accelerated pathway to a nursing degree, students will not be charged tuition for any of these credits, which will reduce costs for tuition amongst prospective nursing students.
“We are so pleased to partner with Region Two to bring freshman level college courses to high school students who are interested in pursuing a nursing degree,” said Erin Soucy, PhD., UMFK’s Dean of Undergraduate Nursing.
The partnership was officially announced on Sept. 10, with a virtual signing ceremony done over the videoconferencing app Zoom.
“Imagine being a high school student enrolled in the Health Sciences Program at the Region Two School of Applied Technology knowing you can graduate from high school with the first year of your BSN from UMFK complete,” said Scott Voisine, UMFK’s Dean of Community Education. “Students will have the opportunity to get into the workforce that much faster.”
