How To Become a Nurse in Maine 2025

Now is a terrific time to become a nurse and make a difference in numerous subfields, such as pediatric nursing, senior care, surgical nursing, and other crucial patient-care areas. These nursing careers are growing, but you must complete a formal nursing program and obtain a nursing license. Check out this step-by-step guide on how to become a nurse and the requirements in Maine.

What Does an RN Do?

Registered nurses (RNs) provide support for doctors and treat patients for almost any imaginable disease, injury, illness, or disability. Without nurses, most clinics, physician offices, and hospitals cannot function. There are many important responsibilities for certified registered nurses in various areas (e.g., neonatal care and bedside care). Some common examples of roles in this industry include:

• nurse practitioner
• emergency room nurse
• nurse anesthetist
• licensed practical nurse (LPN)
• public health advocate
• surgical nurse

How Long Does It Take To Become a Nurse in Maine?

It takes at least two years to earn an RN license through a traditional accredited nursing program. You can usually do that by completing an associate degree, whereas some do so while obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). There are, however, ways to finish these programs much quicker if you attend one of several 12-month accelerated nursing programs.

3 Steps To Become a Registered Nurse in Maine

Here are three steps for completing your nursing education and finishing RN licensure in Maine. We'll cover the essential educational requirements for nurses, which you would do before taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

Step 1: Get an Associate Degree in Nursing

The most fundamental way to complete an accredited nursing program is to attend a community college and earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). This qualifies you to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, get your license, and apply for entry-level nursing jobs. ADN programs provide nursing students with broad exposure to nursing topics and allied health science coursework, followed by in-person clinical experiences before graduation.

Step 2: Apply for an RN License

The State of Maine has guidelines for applying for and renewing nursing licenses. This applies to RNs, LPNs, certified nurse practitioners (CNP), and other licenses.

The state permits nurses to get their licenses via the NCLEX-RN exam (the most common way) or by endorsement (for out-of-state license holders). You'll also undergo a criminal background check and submit fingerprints to the Maine State Board of Nursing to complete the licensing process.

Step 3: Continue Your Education

Continuing education can boost your career outlook if you continue higher education beyond the minimum associate degree and RN licensure. Many nurses enjoy greater success after obtaining a BSN or even a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). While earning a master's degree is not entirely necessary, it improves your chances of earning upper-level nursing roles, such as nursing supervisor or chief nursing officer (CNO).

Top Nursing Degree Programs in Maine

If you wish to attend nursing school and work toward RN licensure, then it helps to know where to attend. We have a list of five colleges in Maine with accredited degree programs. You can also attend online nursing programs from anywhere in the country.

1. University of Maine

The University of Maine offers a traditional nursing education, leading to a bachelor's degree. It also offers several variations of the same program for either full-time or part-time students. If you wish to pursue continuing education at this flagship university, the nursing school also offers graduate degrees in nursing education and a family nurse practitioner (FNP) program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $400 per credit hour (in-state); $1,158 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. Maine College of Health Professions

Maine College of Health Professions promises the opportunity to study in state-of-the-art labs while pursuing an associate degree, bachelor's degree, or certified nursing assistant (CNA) program. It also offers a 12-month practical nursing (PN) program, which spans three semesters and comprises 35 credit hours.

Each program focuses on training students in high-demand areas like pediatric care, long-term care, surgical nursing, and cardiac care.

• Estimated tuition cost: $645 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

3. St Joseph's College of Maine

St Joseph's College of Maine offers 15 undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. This includes everything from a traditional BSN or accelerated BSN to a joint MSN and Master of Business Administration (MBA). There are also multiple graduate options devoted entirely to specializations in gerontology, family nursing, psychiatric nursing, and more.

Make sure you explore the college's financial aid options. The tuition rate is lower for general education courses but increases to $900 per credit hour for accelerated BSN coursework.

• Estimated tuition cost: $402 to $900 per credit hour (in-state); $402 to $900 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

4. Southern Maine Community College

Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) offers a more affordable way to start your nursing education, especially if you only wish to earn an ADN degree and get your license. It focuses on training nurses for careers in oncology care, emergency room nursing, clinical nursing, and more. SMCC also cooperates with other nearby colleges (including two from this list) to help nurses transfer their credits if they elect to pursue a BSN later.

• Estimated tuition cost: $96 per credit hour (in-state); $192 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

5. University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine offers bachelor's degrees for prospective nurses and has a terrific track record for its graduates and the NCLEX-RN exam (99% pass rate). The nursing program has a heavy emphasis on clinical experience, which occupies students during their final four semesters in the bachelor's program. This includes three paths to graduation: a traditional BSN, an accelerated path, and an RN-to-BSN bridge program.

• Estimated tuition cost: $421 per credit hour (in-state); $1,036 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: CCNE

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Maine

You can verify the salary and job outlook for the nursing career field by researching the published salary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It shows an average annual salary of about $93,000 as of 2024. Nursing jobs are also experiencing a faster-than-average growth outlook, with a projected 6% increase in new positions by 2033.

FAQs About How To Become a Nurse in Maine

Below are four frequently asked questions (FAQs) for nursing programs in Maine. This delves into cost issues, prerequisite courses, and degree difficulty.

How Much Does a Nursing Degree Cost in Maine?

If you pay for everything out-of-pocket, a nursing degree could cost more than $20,000 just in tuition. While some programs cost more than others, you should explore all your options for financial aid by first completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Even if you don't go to school in Maine, there are several online colleges that accept FAFSA and offer scholarships.

What Are the Prerequisites for a Nursing Degree?

Most nursing programs expect prospective students to have completed prerequisite courses before applying. This includes courses in biology, chemistry, statistics, algebra, and general education, which you can complete any time through self-paced nursing prerequisites online. If you take online courses, make sure you equip yourself with the best laptop for nursing students so that you never encounter technical difficulties while studying.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse?

The fastest way to become a nurse is to enroll in an accelerated degree program and complete your academic credentials several months sooner. Many universities will let you finish BSN programs within 12 to 18 months, compared to 24 months or more. If you get through nursing school sooner, then all you have to do is study for and pass the NCLEX-RN exam for licensing.

What Is the Easiest Nursing Degree?

Most nursing majors are at least moderately difficult, but there are ways to make the content easier. The easiest nursing degree is an associate degree because it teaches the earliest, entry-level skills. You may also find that it's easier and faster to earn your degree online through several accredited nursing schools.

Find a Nursing Degree

We welcome you to explore Learn.org to find degree programs in nursing and other academic fields. This website also specializes in ways to obtain bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and other credentials through convenient online delivery.