The College was first established in 1891 as the Central Maine General Hospital Training School, a diploma granting school. The first male student was admitted to the program in 1953, and in 1976 the student residences became co-ed. Graduates of the program received diplomas until 1977, when the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing was approved by the Governor.
In 1978, the name was changed to Central Maine Medical Center School of Nursing, and in 2007 it was changed again to Central Maine Medical Center (CMMC) College of Nursing and Health Professions, due to the increasing scope of the College’s mission. The College enrolls less than 200 students each year. On campus, students have access to a Technology and Computer Lab, as well as the Gerrish-True Health Sciences Library.
The College is located in the Lewiston/Auburn area, which is the second largest metropolitan area in Maine. It is close to shopping, theaters, and ski areas, and is not far from both the mountains and the beach.
This program is for students with no prior patient care experience, wishing to become a professional nurse. This two year, 69 credit program results in the student earning an AAS degree. Graduates will also be able to take the Licensing Exam (NCLEX/RN) and become Registered Nurses (RNs).
The College has a selective admission procedure, and it is recommended all applicants submit their paperwork one year before they wish to enroll. Applicants must have taken high school or college Biology with a grade of C or better, have a high school diploma or equivalent, SAT or ACT scores or 12 college credits with a grade of C or higher, and take the entrance exam.
Students will also need to submit an essay with their application to the College.
Once accepted, students will be required to earn at least a C in all courses, and maintain at least a 2.0 GPA. If any courses have been taken elsewhere, students will need to have taken at least one year of classes at the College to be able to graduate. In addition, every student must pass the designated exit exam to receive their degree.
This program is for students who want an alternative to daytime classes. Enrollment in this program is limited, and all classes and clinical hours will be taken in the evening and on weekends. The admission and class requirements for this program are the same as for the traditional AAS program.
This program is offered to students who are already Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), as well as to Licensed Paramedics and students wishing to transfer from other nursing programs. Students accepted into this program will take the Advanced Bridge Course. Once they successfully complete it, they will be admitted to the program at the beginning of the second year of studies, starting with Nursing Care Across the Lifespan II.
This program is geared toward RNs who have been away from acute care practice, and would like to return. It is designed to take into consideration the RN’s previous education and experience, and apply it to new knowledge and advancements in professional nursing. This program is also for graduates of the AAS in Nursing program who would like a refresher before taking the NCLEX/RN exam.
To apply, students must submit either a copy of their RN license, an official copy of their diploma, or an official transcript from an accredited nursing program. This self-paced course is completed online, and also requires 108 hours of clinical practice to be done in person. The course must be completed within a year of starting.