The School of Nursing community is exclusively available to first-year nursing students. The community is a living and learning environment that promotes students’ academic, emotional, social, and physical well-being. In partnership with Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Centers, first-year students can experience early immersion into the nursing career through a paid certified nursing assistant training program during winter and May for those living with the nursing LLC. Evidence-based mindfulness-based stress reduction, a mindful eating curriculum designed for students living in a college dorm, and massage therapy support students’ holistic well-being. All students are offered a free FitBit and access to nursing-specific community physical activities. Faculty and staff visit students in the community and provide a welcome-to-campus dinner and an introductory community-building activity to help students meet new friends, such as paddle board and yoga on the beautiful Penobscot river. In addition, the community offers on-site academic advising, support from the Student Success and Wellness Coordinator, and Resident Assistants, upper-class nursing students that provide daily peer support. Students also receive free nursing uniform jackets. Nursing is a rigorous academic program. The Nursing Living Learn Community sets the foundation for solid peer groups, community support, and wellness interventions that build students’ resilience to help them thrive through their four-year journey in the nursing program.

For more information on the LLC, visit the Resident Life website.