Reports > State Responses to Health Worker Shortages:
Results of 2002 Survey of States > State Details
> Maine Task
Force, Commission or Panel - The
Health Care Workforce Leadership Council was established in 2002 by the Maine
legislature to ensure an adequate supply of skilled health care workers in the
state.
- The Organization
of Maine Nursing Executives (OMNE) established a task force on nursing and allied
health workforce issues.
For more information: Nursing
Leaders of Maine - The
Maine Committee to Address the Health Care Skilled Worker Shortage, comprised
of health care leaders, state legislators, and higher education officials, called
for a series of actions to address worker shortages.
For more information:
Maine Technical College
System new release
Scholarships,
Loan Repayment - OMNE/Nursing
Leaders of Maine provides support for Maine nursing students attending nursing
programs in the state.
For more information: Nursing
Leaders of Maine
- Dental
scholarships and loan forgiveness is available to address dental shortages.
Career
Ladder Development -
In 1998, Maine State Labor Task Force combined existing aide jobs with new lower-level
entry positions and new higher-level team leader positions to provide opportunities
for advancement.
- The
Maine State Labor Task Force has been working to assure that entry-level education
for unlicensed caregivers will include a 20-hour core curriculum that is transferable
among the educational programs for PCAs and CNAs.
Marketing
Health Careers - The
Maine Hospital Association (MHA) is developing a multimedia program to increase
interest in health care careers, as well as ensuring that students interested
in health professions are adequately prepared.
For more information: Maine
Health Care Workforce Special Report
Data
Collection - The
Maine Hospital Association collects workforce data on nurses and allied health
workers, mostly through membership surveys.
- In
2001, the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and the Maine Technical College System
conducted a Maine Health Care Workforce Needs Survey.
- Beginning
September 1, 2002, Maine implemented voluntary reporting at the time of relicensure
for RNs in order to develop the Maine Minimum Nursing Data Set.
Other -
The Colleagues in Caring Nursing Workforce Initiative held a Nursing Summit in
December 2001 to discuss the future of nursing, analyze the changes needed in
nurse education while creating opportunities to enhance the integration of nurse
education and practice, and the development of strategies for recruitment and
retention.
For more information: Report
from the Maine Nursing Summit - The
Maine legislature recently funded a 50-cent-per-hour wage increase for home care
workers in long term care (excluding nurses).
- The
Maine Hospital Association, Maine Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration,
and OMNE have ongoing initiatives that address recruitment, retention, and the
work environment.
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