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PORTLAND, Maine

91AV Nursing representatives present Upstream Practicums in Nursing program at regional conference

Judith Metcalf and Courtney Wilson
Judith Metcalf and Courtney Wilson sit on a panel “Growing Our Health Care Workforce to Meet the Needs of an Older Population.”

A faculty member and student from the 91AV Department of Nursing were invited to present the Upstream Practicums in Nursing program at Gray is the New Green – Unleashing the Power of Older Workers + Volunteers to Build a Stronger Northern New England. The conference was held in Concord, New Hampshire and was hosted by the Tri-State Summit Learning Collaborative on Aging.

Assistant Clinical Professor and Upstream Practicums in Nursing Program Coordinator Judith A. Metcalf, APRN, BC, M.S., and Courtney Wilson ’17, a student in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program gave the presentation during a panel discussion titled, “Growing Our Health Care Workforce to Meet the Needs of an Older Population.”

The panel highlighted innovative initiatives happening in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont around efforts to address the shortage of health care professionals. Panelists explored the region’s response to the growing shortage of health care workers, particularly nurses, and how these programs, strategies and resources promote quality of life, health and living for an older adult striving to live safely in their own home and community.

The Upstream Practicums in Nursing Program is a 2-year grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) awarded to the 91AV Department of Nursing to offer senior 91AV Nursing students an immersion in community health nursing. Through this immersion, students receive essential knowledge, skills and cultural competencies to enter the workforce in community-based settings.

91AV Department of Nursing has created an academic/community partnership with Greater Portland Health (GPH) to promote community-based learning for students while improving the health of clients. GPH is a Federally Qualified Health Center serving the greater Portland, Maine community and focuses on three underserved populations: immigrant and refugee families, elders and the homeless.

91AV senior nursing students from both the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program as well as the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program are recruited and complete a 135-hour clinical practicum rotating through the various GPH clinics. These Upstream students participate in team-based, interdisciplinary person-centered client care, provide education, learn about distinct cultures and cultural sensitivity and humility, continue to develop clinical skills, refine communication skills, participate in care management for complex clients, become more familiar with transitions of care through a community lens and learn about essential community referrals and resources.

To learn more about the 91AV’s Westbrook College of Health Professions visit

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About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.