Nursing Apprentice (Government Apprentice)

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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Riverview Psychiatric Center

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

Opening Date: 08/21/2026

Closing Date: 09/04/2026

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 environment presents 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.

Watch this video to learn more about building your career with us at Riverview Psychiatric Center: Come Join Our Team!

Click here to see what it’s like being a Nurse at RPC.

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.

Application Information: 

For additional information about this position or to request a paper application, please contact Tiffany Smith at 207-624-4672 or via email at [email protected].

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 Balance – 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 ($12,213.60 - $14,369.04 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 ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing parents 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.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

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If you are unable to complete the online application, please contact the Human Resources representative listed on the job opening you are interested in applying for. They will work with you for an alternative method of submitting.