LEWISTON – The University of Southern Maine’s bachelor’s in nursing program, offered on the Lewiston-Auburn College campus, will be highlighted at an open house on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

The nursing program, which has been offered on the Portland campus since 1969, is fully accredited by the National League for Nursing and the Maine Board of Nursing. Students who enroll in the LAC-based program are able to complete all the requirements in Lewiston, with no travel to Portland required.

USM’s College of Nursing and Health Professions (CONHP) was awarded a significant federal grant last year to help expand the nursing program at LAC. The three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has enabled USM to more than double the size of the nursing program at LAC.

Jane Kirschling, dean of CONHP, expects it to have a major impact on the looming nursing shortage in this area. “I think it will help western and southern Maine,” said Kirschling. “That is, I think, an important contribution.”

The bachelor’s in nursing on the LAC campus is open to traditional first-year college students and to adult learners. Some of the distinctive features include local clinical sites, a community partnership-based curriculum and a coaching program that matches nursing students with local health care professionals.

The informational meeting/open house will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. The informal session will include a brief presentation about the program, as well as tours and demonstrations. Information about admissions, enrollment and financial aid will also be provided.

The free event is open to the public and will be held in the function room at the college, 51 Westminster St. Light refreshments will be served. Anyone who wishes to attend is asked to call Dori at 753-6624 or e-mail [email protected].

Space is limited, so advance registration is encouraged.