Six Emergency Room Nurses Resign from Northern Maine Medical Center Amid Morale Issues
Six emergency department registered nurses, including five full-time and one per diem, have resigned from Fort Kent’s Northern Maine Medical Center (NMMC) within the last month and a half. This exodus represents a significant portion of the 13-nurse unit. Kim Paradis, one of the departing nurses with 24 years of service, cited a lack of communication between bedside nurses and management, and a perceived disregard for patient and staff concerns as primary reasons for the resignations. The nurses, represented by the Maine State Nurses Association and National Nurses Organizing Committee, had previously engaged in a two-year conflict with hospital administration, including contract negotiations and a vote to re-certify their union. Hospital spokeswoman Pam Sime stated that nurses left for various reasons, including promotional opportunities, travel nursing, and moving out of state, and affirmed that the ER remains fully staffed.
