Q & A with Amanda Savage ’07, DNP, M.Ed., RN
What brought you to USM?
I came to USM because it offered exactly what I needed at the time, a rigorous, respected nursing program with deep roots in Maine’s healthcare community. I already held a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training and a Master of Education in Kinesiology, and I was searching for an accelerated nursing program that would allow me to build on that foundation. USM was the perfect fit. I was passionate about health, human performance, and caring for others, and USM felt like the place where I could truly grow into a nurse who would make a meaningful difference. It combined academic challenge with community connection, and I knew it would prepare me to serve the people of Maine in a powerful way.
What was your experience at USM like?
My experience at USM was transformative. I was surrounded by faculty who believed in me, pushed me, and modeled the kind of nurse, and leader, I wanted to become. USM gave me a strong clinical foundation, but it also grounded me in professionalism, compassion, and leadership. The relationships I formed and the confidence I gained have carried me through every stage of my career. During that time, I was also working full-time at Maine Medical Center while attending classes. Although this was a demanding combination, it was one that opened incredible opportunities following graduation. These experiences shaped my work ethic, resilience, and commitment to excellence.
How did your career unfold after attending USM?
After graduating with my BSN from USM, I went directly into high-acuity nursing at Maine Medical Center. I began in cardiothoracic stepdown and soon transitioned to the Cardiothoracic ICU, where I cared for post–open heart surgery patients. Those early years profoundly shaped my clinical judgment, critical thinking, and dedication to safe, high-quality care. My career then expanded across multiple domains: clinical practice, academia, hospital leadership, simulation education, and statewide advocacy. I became a House Manager RN at Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, overseeing operations and patient care across the hospital. At the same time, I built a strong academic career at Husson University and later the University of Maine, where I currently serve as an Assistant Professor and lead faculty in several undergraduate and graduate courses. I also grew into roles as a legal nurse expert and simulation educator, earning national certifications which have contributed to research in immersive virtual reality simulation and quality improvement.
What might others find surprising about your work?
People are often surprised by the breadth of my professional world. In any given week, I may be providing hospital-wide administrative leadership, teaching and mentoring nursing students, conducting simulation-based research, engaging in statewide nursing advocacy as the immediate past president of ANA-Maine or as a newly elected member of the American Nurses Association Board of Directors, and even coaching youth basketball or serving as an Olympia Snowe Women’s Leader in my community. What ties all of these roles together is one clear passion: elevating nursing practice, strengthening Maine’s healthcare workforce, and supporting future nurses at every stage of their journey.
How is the nursing field changing in Maine and what might new grads expect? What advice do you have for navigating these changes?
Nursing in Maine is at a pivotal moment. We are facing workforce shortages, rising patient acuity, evolving care models, and rapid technological change. New graduates will enter environments that demand strong critical thinking, adaptability, teamwork, and a readiness to embrace innovation, whether that’s immersive VR simulation, advanced electronic health systems, or new care delivery models shaped by our state’s unique population needs.
My advice is this: stay curious, stay teachable, and stay compassionate. Get involved early. Join your professional organizations, seek mentorship, and begin developing your leadership voice now. Nursing is not just a job, it is a profession rooted in advocacy, lifelong learning, and service. Maine needs bold, resilient nurses who are prepared to lead us into the future.
Of your many career accomplishments, what are you most proud of?
Aside from my family, I am incredibly proud of the work I’ve done to uplift and advocate for Maine nurses. Serving as the President of ANA-Maine and being elected to the American Nurses Association Board of Directors, the first Mainer to hold this position, reflects years of dedication to nursing leadership, education, and practice.
I am equally proud of my contributions to nursing education, particularly the integration of immersive virtual reality simulation into undergraduate and graduate curricula. Supporting students as they build confidence, clinical judgment, and readiness for emergencies is some of the most meaningful work I’ve ever done. Watching them grow into competent and compassionate nurses remains one of my greatest professional honors.
What does your future hold, what comes next?
The next chapter of my career builds on everything I love: strengthening the nursing profession in Maine and across the nation. Academically, I plan to continue advancing simulation-based research, mentoring students and faculty, and expanding innovative learning opportunities. In terms of leadership, I’m honored to represent Maine nurses on the national stage through ANA, shaping policy, advocacy, and the future of our profession. Above all, I want to continue using my voice, expertise, and passion to elevate nursing, empower emerging leaders, and ensure that every nurse, student, bedside clinician, educator, or executive, feels valued, supported, and prepared to thrive in this extraordinary profession. Being a nurse is both a privilege and an honor, and I am proud to say that every single day.