Nursing faculty recognized for enhancing nurse education, healthcare in rural communities
Two faculty from the University of Maine School of Nursing were recognized by the American Nurses Association-Maine as a couple of the Top Ten Extraordinary Nurses in the state. This inaugural award honors nurses who have demonstrated dedication, leadership and impact within Maine’s healthcare community.
The awardees, Kara O’Donnell and Kaitlin Robinson, are nurse educators and practicing nurses who are working to improve access to healthcare across rural Maine.
A major factor impacting healthcare, particularly in rural areas, is the closure and downsizing of facilities. The problem is twofold, Robinson explained. Not only does fewer and smaller facilities mean less access to healthcare and more drive time for patients, but it also means nursing students have fewer opportunities to learn in and serve those rural communities.
“The impact is then cyclical because if a student doesn’t have the opportunity to learn in an area either close to home or that is underserved due to a shortage of providers, they do not consider that as an option to work in and support post certification,” Robinson said.
O’Donnell spent nine years working as a nurse in emergency departments, where she said she was confronted with some of the greatest barriers and systemic issues impacting peoples’ health.
“Over the years, it became apparent that simply ‘caring’ wasn’t enough as a nurse,” O’Donnell said. “Advocacy and contributing to a nursing workforce capable of addressing the most significant rural health issues became a focus for me.”
Both O’Donnell and Robinson express their gratitude to ANA-Maine for recognizing their efforts. They also thank their colleagues in UMaine’s School of Nursing, who have supported their ability to network with healthcare agencies and community organizations, and have provided opportunities for them to continue clinical and professional development as nurses.
