Summer Geary Cooperative
A Unique Clinical Experience for Baccalaureate Nursing Students
 What is the Summer Geary Cooperative?
The Geary program for baccalaureate nursing students is a unique and valuable program named for its founder, Dr. Patricia Geary, a former Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Southern Maine. Dr. Geary was a strong advocate for students. She recognized students could gain extremely valuable experiences when precepted by excellent practicing professional nurses and sought to create a model to support such experiences. Dean Geary pursued this goal by negotiating with nursing colleagues at Maine Medical Center and together they developed the summer co-operative experience. This educational opportunity combines a transferable two credit USM course elective with a paid summer clinical preceptorship with a RN at Maine Medical Center. There may be times when students from other baccalaureate nursing programs may be admitted.
What is the difference between the Geary Co-op and the Nurse Associate?
Both are participants of the Student Nurse Employment Program (SNEP), MMC’s summer internship. By the Maine Nursing Board regulations, the Geary students are allowed to administer medications, participate in IV therapy, and perform nursing procedures under the oversight of the preceptor because this is an academically supervised clinical experience. Nurse Associates are authorized to provide only selected patient care activities and are not authorized to perform professional nursing duties.
How does a student qualify to be a Geary Co-op Student?
- Must be in good standing in an accredited Baccalaureate Nursing program
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above through the previous fall semester
- Must have successfully completed a first medical-surgical theory course with a grade of C or above. Since acceptance into the program is made in Feb/March, a student must also show a passing grade of C or above in all courses taken during the spring semester. A transcript (official or unofficial) must be provided at the time of application and an update of spring course grades made before the June 1st start date.
- Must apply for and be officially listed on the State of Maine CNA registry prior to March 1.
- Applicants must be able to commit to three days of nursing orientation during the first week of June and a full-time summer employment of 32-36 hours per week as their first priority. The work schedule may include 12 hour shifts on nights or weekends.
What is the application process for the Geary Co-op?
A. Students must complete and send:
1. A letter of interest with qualifications:
This letter should be written to the faculty member and a nurse manager "Dear USM Faculty and MMC Nursing Director" as a application for the program and for employment. Remember that this position will give you more practice privileges and nursing responsibilities than a nursing assoicate. Thus, it would be helpful to mention you academic achievements, any past caregiving or nursing related experience, what you hope to gain (goals) from the position, as well as, you work ethic.
2. A letter of recommendation:
One letter must be from a clinical instructor who can speak about your clinical abioities. you may submit a second recommendation from an employer or a second faculty member but it is not required. The MMC application process may ask you for the name of a second reference. An email letter of recommendation is acceptable.
3. An unofficial transcript updated to include fall 08:
Send Send all three by Feb 4, 2009 - via eamil or regular mail to:
jdvorak@usm.maine.edu
Or: Jean Dvorak, MS, RN
Coordinator USM Geary Cooperative
334 Masterton Hall, USM
Box 9300
Portland, Maine 04104-9300
How will I know if I am accepted into the program?
There are only 12 positions available for the Geary Co-Op each year. Preference is given to qualified USM Nursing Students with unfilled positions offered to non-USM students**
Final candidates will be chosen by the faculty and notified in late February/March to fill out an online MMC application. The Geary job number online posting will be restricted for chosen Geary students only. An interview will then be scheduled with the student and a MMC Nurse Director in order to complete the placement and hiring process. The final step in securing a Geary Co-Op position is a job offer made by MMC employment officials.
** Once notified of acceptance, non-USM students may set up an appointment to register for the course with Brenda Webster in the College of Nursing and Health Professions as a non-matriculated student. Payment must be made at the time of registration.
last updated 1/09
For questions or comments, please contact us.
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