The University of Maine at Fort Kent is a public institution and part of the University of Maine System, which includes 8 campuses throughout the state. The university was founded in 1878 as a teacher’s school before earning its current name in 1970. Fort Kent is near the US-Canada border. The university is primarily an academic center for French-American culture and heritage. Most students and adults in the Fort Kent area are bilingual in English and French. Current enrollment is just under 1,600 students, making the University of Maine at Fort Kent a small university with a low student to faculty ratio.
Students may choose one of three paths to earn their BSN, depending on their existing education. Incoming freshman may enroll in the traditional BSN program, which is a standard four-year program. Other options include an accelerated BSN for those with a degree in a separate field and an RN to BSN program for registered nurses with at least an associate’s degree. The university offers several opportunities for students to improve their nursing skills. Through the Preceptorship, students work with registered nurses to build clinical skills. There are also employment opportunities at several local medical centers, including the Cary Medical Center.