Hannah Linsky ’25
Why UNE
I chose to come to 91Ö±²¥ÊÓƵbecause I was really interested in the 2+2 [Nursing] program — two years of prerequisites on the Biddeford Campus and two years of nursing school on the Portland Campus. Being able to get all of my base knowledge and then easily transition into a nursing practice stood out to me.
Throughout my two years on the Portland campus, I’ve been able to do a lot of different specialty rotations: psych, geriatric, medical surgical, pediatric. I’ve really enjoyed getting a taste of each specialty to help me figure out which I would like to go into [after graduation]. I was able to do my preceptorship in the ICU. I formed a lot of personal connections with patients there, and it reaffirmed that I want to do something in critical care.
Service Learning in Action
I’ve always had a connection to community service work, so I decided to apply for the Service Learning Student Liaison position as part of the Student Nursing Association. Service learning experiences have helped me engage with the patient community. Being able to form trusting, patient-centered relationships with the community outside of the hospital — especially as a nursing student — is really beneficial.
I’ve participated in UNE Meals for Maine and written harm reduction cards for Milestones Outreach Program. I also participated in a Narcan Training Event, which was a big interprofessional event. We had a guest who was able to tell us his own personal story with drug abuse. Hearing his story of recovery was really amazing. I learned a lot; being able to learn about substance use disorder and trying to break the stigma around [it] really opened my eyes to seeing a person not for their diagnosis but for who they are. The exposure from the Narcan training pushed me towards learning more about people with substance abuse disorder and finding other programs to volunteer, like Portland Recovery Center.
I wouldn’t have half the connections that I have now if it weren’t for this [Service Learning Student Liaison] role. It’s expanded my mind to see how we need to be treating [patients]. That will make a difference in my critical care work, especially treating people with substance use disorder. I really owe the service learning opportunities at UNE a lot to being able to form these connections in the community.