CALAIS – A nursing program could be a boon for Washington County residents who want to enter the profession but can’t afford to leave home. So on Thursday, Washington County Technical College announced it has agreed with the University of Maine at Augusta to begin a registered-nurse program.

The program will be open to students at the University of Maine at Machias as well as WCTC.

It has been more than a decade since the idea of a nursing program at the technical college was introduced. But in 1991, technical college officials announced that a state budget shortfall had forced them to eliminate programs, including the just-created nursing program.

Carlos Acevedo, the college’s academic dean and vice president, said development of the program began last year when the college recruited its former president, Ron Renaud, to create an advisory board. Through that board’s efforts, an agreement was reached between WCTC and UMA, where a nursing program already is in place. UMA is the lead campus for Maine’s community college programs, such as those at University College Bangor.

“Instead of reinventing the wheel, we joined efforts,” Acevedo said.

The newly created nursing program fits well with the school’s view that technical colleges must offer more and varied programs in order to be effective. “We see the role of community colleges changing. Some community colleges are actually offering four-year degrees,” he said.

Although the college is looking toward other programs, Acevedo said, it is not turning its back on the core programs that have sustained the college the past 15 years. The school opened its doors in April 1986.

Acevedo said school administrators hope to use the nursing program as a model. The new program will draw on the resources at UMA’s nursing program as well as on the WCTC staff.

The college’s standards for the program included the provision that it fit the needs of Washington County. The program will allow students to pursue other career paths, including a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing.

Another advantage to the WCTC nursing program, Acevedo said, is its cost-effectiveness and the fact that students who participate can remain in Washington County. “Because of our lower tuition options, it becomes … viable for students in the area,” he said. The technical college will be working closely with area hospitals.

“Collaboration between local education and business is always a good thing and we are very supportive of this effort,” said Ray H. Davis Jr., chief executive officer of Calais Regional Hospital. “The program will provide a local source to augment career ladder opportunities for our staff. It will also provide additional trained professionals to meet area needs.”

General and preparatory classes, Acevedo said, would be offered at the technical college with the help of visiting UMA faculty. The college is recruiting an instructor to handle clinical issues.

Lectures and theoretical classes will be handled through interactive television classes originating in Augusta.

Acevedo said that students already had expressed interest in the program. He said the program is limited to 16 slots and is open to students on a first-come, first-served basis. He said certified nursing assistants and licensed practical nurses are welcome to apply. “This is a means of advancing their knowledge and their career opportunities,” he said.

“The program will run a two-year cycle. We will run a complete group through the process before we start another, but if the need is great, we may explore other alternatives, including running it every year, and that might mean we would need another instructor,” he said.

For more information about the program, call the technical college at 454-1000.