ORONO – University of Maine nursing students will join students from schools of nursing across the state in attending this weekend’s Maine State Student Nurses Association annual convention, which will focus on strengthening the bonds between students and professional nurses throughout the state.

“United in Maine” will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 3, at Rangeley Hall at Eastern Maine Technical Center. The convention will provide an occasion for students and professional nurses to develop relations and connect with Maine health care organizations. High school students are invited to attend and explore opportunities available in the field of nursing.

The event’s keynote speaker is Mary Foley, the president of the American Nurses Association. Foley will address current issues facing staff and student nurses and will speak on the importance of maintaining a united voice regarding these issues on the state and national level.

Others speaking at the conference include Pat Philbrick, executive director of the Maine State Nurses Association, who will speak on current legislative activity that affects nursing; Mary Ann Ponti, past president of the Maine Organization of Nurse Executives will discuss the professional nurse and decision-making in the workplace.

Jim Green, editor of Imprint, the National Student Nurse Association magazine, will give a presentation on national issues facing student nurses and how Maine students can become involved on a national level.