Nursing Apprentice; Government Apprentice

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:  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 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.

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.

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.

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…