About Community Nursing Partnership Courses

  • NUR 341:  Students will be surveyed about their preference for a 341-community clinical placement.  They will register for the only visible NUR 341 section in Mainestreet which is the placeholder section.  This will follow the same processes that we use for hospital based clinical placements.  341 is a 2 credit one semester clinical course with requirements in EVERY partnership for both direct and indirect clinical hours.  This will include direct hours of supervised clinical practice and indirect hours of community evaluation, project planning, meetings and may include time both in and outside of the weekly 4 class hours dedicated to this work.

Partnership Descriptions

Note that not all partnerships are available every semester.  Your survey will list the specific partnerships relevant to your semester.

Casco Bay Fishing and Coastal Communities
Faculty: Tara Casimir
This partnership works with an established network across coastal communities and islands to support care in hard-to-reach locations, often serving underinsured clients. Participation includes several immersive experiences, such as attending the Fisherman’s Forum in the spring, which may take place outside of the regular Thursday 8-12 course time.

Franklin Towers and Florence House with Outreach to Other Community Experiences
Faculty: Carol Donovan
This well-developed, ongoing partnership serves Portland’s most vulnerable populations, including the elderly, refugees, and individuals experiencing or transitioning from homelessness. Students will engage with city services, public housing, and a network of providers to promote health, safety, and connection.

Global Health and Sustainability – Partners for World Health
Faculty: Karen Zuckerman
Students will work alongside volunteers at Partners for World Health, assisting in sorting, labeling, and preparing donated medical supplies for global distribution. This partnership addresses critical healthcare needs in crisis-affected regions and emphasizes global sustainability. Students will contribute by researching international healthcare conditions, assisting in warehouse operations, and developing materials such as infographics and presentations for overseas health promotion trips. Activities take place at Partners for World Health’s main facility on Walch Drive or at the warehouse on Canco Road in Portland.

Lewiston Public Housing and Women’s Health & Literacy Group
Faculty: Chiara Simonini
Based in Lewiston, this partnership provides students with opportunities to deliver nursing interventions in diverse community settings. Responsibilities include basic health screenings, such as blood pressure checks for individuals with disabilities, as well as health education and care for women seeking support. Students will engage with residents at Lewiston Housing locations and the Center for Wisdom’s Women. To align with the Center’s mission as a safe space, placements at this site are available for students who are female or identify as female, though placement is not guaranteed.

LGBTQIA+ and Diverse Communities Health Partnership (Southern Maine Region)
Faculty: Christina Hart
This partnership offers an opportunity to promote healthcare initiatives and awareness for LGBTQIA+ and diverse populations in Southern Maine. Students will engage in service learning and partnership activities, fostering a deeper understanding of community health challenges and solutions.

The Loring House
Faculty: Joanna Clymer
The Loring House is a housing complex in Portland serving elderly and disabled residents. This partnership focuses on service-learning opportunities in this setting, allowing students to support the community through nursing interventions and outreach.

Rural Community Partnership (York County)
Faculty: Jeanne Gottlieb
Students will work with vulnerable and healthy residents across York County, including at Layman Way Recovery Center, York County Shelter, and Buxton Recreation Center. Populations served include children and older adults. The partnership primarily involves health education and promotion, with some outdoor activity-based interventions, such as snowshoeing. Placements require travel to Alfred, Buxton, and Sanford, and additional opportunities with after-school programs may be available for students who can work outside scheduled hours. Thursday morning planning and meeting sessions take place on the Gorham campus.

Public School Nursing
Faculty: Leslie Larsen
This partnership provides hands-on experience in school-based nursing through activities in charter and public elementary schools. Students will participate in both service learning and clinical experiences, engaging with school communities to promote public health initiatives. Some locations require fingerprinting.