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Maine History Online

Maine History Online

A Maine Historical Society Website

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Practical Nursing in Waterville

Text by David O. Smith

Images from Kennebec Valley Community College

Between 1957 and about 1980, the Maine School of Practical Nursing's program in Waterville trained thousands of nurses.

Waterville was the second state-sanctioned and operated school of practical nursing in the state and the longest surviving program.

Changes in nursing education and the types of degrees nurses needed, in the the state's educational system, and in the needs of students all led to the end of the practical nursing program in Waterville.

David O. Smith is a librarian at Kennebec Valley Community College’s Lunder Library. Since 2007, David has also served as the school's Archivist.