Nursing Apprentice (Government Apprentice)

State of Maine; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 23,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Sick leave

Vacation leave

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Parental leave

Retirement plan

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Riverview Psychiatric Center in Augusta, Maine offers a paid training apprenticeship for nursing students in their final year of an accredited Registered Nursing Program. This S.T.R.O.N.G. program provides structured learning with nurse educators, a preceptor, and monthly educational meetings.

One apprenticeship position is awarded each term, with up to 30 hours per week. After passing the NCLEX, there is potential to move into Graduate Nurse I while continuing apprenticeship training.

Qualifications

• Preparing for or in final year of an accredited Registered Nursing Program.
• Cares about learning medications, treatment modalities, diagnoses, and psychiatric nursing concepts.
• Participates in a comprehensive apprenticeship with a preceptor and classroom/clinical learning.

Responsibilities

• Attend two-week New Employee Orientation (paid time).
• Engage in unit practice under a nurse preceptor with clinical case conferences.
• Complete the S.T.R.O.N.G. apprenticeship program while gaining clinical competencies.

Skills

Nursing student

RN program

Education

Final year RN program

Job description

Riverview Psychiatric Center

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Opening Date: 07/01/2026

Closing Date: 08/01/2026

Job Class Code: 3303

Grade: 01
Salary: $20.44/hour

Position Number: 02000-4181

Limited period, Acting Capacity, non-status

Riverview Psychiatric Center is offering a paid training opportunity for a nursing student during their final year of an accredited Registered Nursing Program. This is one of the first pre-licensed nursing apprenticeship programs in the State of Maine through the Department of Labor.

Today’s complex healthcare environmentpresents many challenges for new nurses as they transition to professional nursing practice.We understand these obstacles and offer students the guidance and support they need to succeed with our S.T.R.O.N.G. apprenticeship program; Striving Together to Reach Ongoing Nursing Goals.

S.T.R.O.N.G. IS A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM TAILORED TO MEET YOUR NEEDS
Our hospital offers unique experiences caring for patients with various mental illness diagnoses and acuity levels. You will learn medications, treatment modalities, diagnoses, therapeutic interactions and listening, healthy boundaries, and rapport building through monthly educational meetings with our Nurse Educators and in unit practice.Through unit training you will learn, develop, and apply basic nursing competencies, psychiatric nursing competencies, and assessments working one‑on‑one with a highly experienced nurse preceptor.Additional learning through our weekly clinical case conferences prepared by our multidisciplinary teams on various topics will further strengthen your knowledge.

One apprenticeship position will be awarded each term, or as participants complete program. The hours of the apprenticeship will be tailored to fit the needs of awardee. Participants will be able to work up to 30 hours a week. Participants will have opportunity to move into our Graduate Nurse I position once they successfully pass the NCLEX exam, while continuing to complete apprenticeship program.

Agency information:

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is dedicated to promoting health, safety, resilience, and opportunity for Maine people. The Department provides health and social services to approximately a third of the State’s population, including children, families, older Mainers, and individuals with disabilities, mental illness, and substance use disorders. The Department also promotes public health, operates two state psychiatric hospitals, and provides oversight to health care providers.

Riverview Psychiatric Center is located on the Kennebec River in Augusta, Maine. Augusta is Maine’s capital city located one hour north of Portland, an award-winning city with excellent cultural opportunities and two and a half hours north of Boston. With a new state of the art high school, world class cancer care center, and the exciting redevelopment of the riverfront and downtown, Augusta is a wonderful place to live and work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Candidates must be preparing for or in their final year of an accredited Registered Nursing Program.

Please submit a short essay as your cover letter on “What Becoming A Psychiatric Nurse Means To You”

Apprenticeship awardee must be able to commit to attending our full-time two-week New Employee Orientation. This orientation will be paid time.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—“Dirigo” or “I lead”—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce’s health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave , and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($12,845.82 - $15,112.76 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($395.72 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 14.11% of the employee’s pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full‑time.

There’s a job and then there’s purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.