Massachusetts Nursing Schools

There are many reasons you may be looking into nursing colleges in MA. Maybe you’re a working nursing professional and you’d like to take your career one step further. Perhaps you’re graduating high school and you’ve heard about the job opportunities in the field of healthcare.

Whatever has brought you into nursing, learning about the best nursing colleges in MA is the first step.

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Nursing Education in Massachusetts

As a nursing student in Massachusetts, you get to constantly learn about new nursing techniques and find new ways to make the most of your training. At Massachusetts General Hospital, nurses recently started using storytelling techniques to apply clinical knowledge to their practice and learn from their peers’ experience.

When you get started in this field, you can join a thriving community of nursing professionals. Nursing professionals of Massachusetts have been known to speak out on important issues, like a 2015 ICU staffing law, which they said could jeopardize safe staffing requirements in Massachusetts hospitals.

The News Tribune also notes that school nurses are a crucial part of health care in Massachusetts. Registered nurses may be a significant part of children’s health care during their time in school, which may present a career opportunity for you if you’re interested in working with kids.

Nursing programs in MA aim to provide you with experience in a variety of specialties and work settings. Entry level requirements tend to be fairly similar for LPN, two-year RN programs, and four-year RN programs, although the amount of detail and experience tends to increase with each additional level of study.

Before you can learn about different nursing specialties, you must become well-versed in standard nursing theories and procedures. This may involve taking courses like Health and Physical Assessment, Principles of Nursing Care, and Pharmacology in Nursing. Once you have completed these classes, you can take specialized courses like Nursing Care of Children, Maternal-Newborn Nursing, Nursing Research, Nursing Care of Adults, and Community Health Nursing.

Clinical experience is also a significant part of your training. Registered nursing programs in Massachusetts require approximately 500 clinical hours. If you want to become an LPN, you may have to complete fewer hours. If you decide to go for a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, your requirements may be higher. Online nursing programs in Massachusetts may help you find local clinical sites.

Numerous organizations and associations in Massachusetts award scholarships to deserving students. Look through local opportunities at the beginning of each year. The Massachusetts Nurses Foundation awards scholarships each year, including the Betsy Prescott Memorial Nursing Scholarship. The American Nurses Association of Massachusetts is a good source of nursing scholarships in this state. If you want to work with the aging population, consider applying for scholarships through the Massachusetts Senior Care Foundation.

All licensing of nursing professionals in Massachusetts goes through the Board of Registration in Nursing. You must pass a national standardized test appropriate to your level of study and pass a comprehensive background check.

Nursing Education & Career Information in your City

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Nursing Degree Programs in Massachusetts

Below you will find a list of links followed by a general overview of nursing program options available to you in Massachusetts.

Transition programs for nurses:

Graduate programs for nurses:

Entry level nursing programs:

Massachusetts LPN Programs

Admissions requirements: High school degree, negative TB test, negative drug screen, and background check
Credit hour range: 30 to 42 credits
Online degree options: Not offered in LPN programs, since you need a substantial amount of clinical work to graduate
Licensing exams: NCLEX-PN

At many technical colleges and community colleges in Massachusetts, you may find licensed practical nurse programs. This is the quickest way to get into the field of nursing, since it only requires one year of education. By the time you graduate, you must have a minimum of 30 credits.

Like many other nursing degrees, an LPN requires several hundred hours of clinical experience. Depending on your school’s connections, you may do your clinical rotations at local nursing homes or clinics.

BSN Programs in Massachusetts

Admissions requirements: High school degree, negative TB test, negative drug screen, and background check
Credit hour range: 120 to 135 credits
Online degree options: Students may be able to complete some theory work online, but clinical hours must be done in person
Licensing exams: NCLEX-RN

When you decide to become an RN at one of the best nursing colleges in Massachusetts, there are two types of degrees to consider. An Associate’s degree permits you to become licensed, but a Bachelor’s degree in nursing may boost your job opportunities quite a bit. Baccalaureate programs offer additional training in specialties like oncology, surgery, and women’s health. For that reason, you may have a more complex set of skills that can be used in clinics and hospitals throughout the state. Nursing schools in Massachusetts may let you earn your Bachelor’s degree in eight or nine semesters. Clinical work is a constant throughout your degree.

Massachusetts MSN Schools

Admissions requirements: A Bachelor of Science in nursing degree and a Massachusetts nursing license
Credit hour range: Between 30 and 60 credits
Online degree options: Some specialties have online study options
Licensing exams: Based on your area of study and determined by national certification boards

If you want to become a nurse educator, administrator, or practitioner, you may need to earn a Master’s degree. Graduate-level nursing programs build on your existing clinical skills to help you become a more independent nursing professional.

At top nursing schools in MA, you may explore specialties like nurse leadership and nursing informatics. Clinical specialties include nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, and nurse midwifery. Some of the best online nursing schools in Massachusetts have Master’s programs that can be completed entirely online.

DNP and PhD Nursing Programs in Massachusetts

Admissions requirements: Admissions requirements: A Bachelor of Science in nursing degree and a Massachusetts nursing license
Credit hour range: Between 80 and 110 credits
Online degree options: Available at some Massachusetts schools
Licensing exams: Based on your area of study and determined by national certification boards

There are two main ways to earn a doctoral degree in nursing. The DNP is a clinical degree that focuses on your role as a practitioner. The PhD focuses more on research and education. Both options generally last four to six years.

Nursing Colleges in Massachusetts with Nursing Bridge Programs

If you have previous postsecondary education, a bridge program may help you save time and money. A growing number of nursing schools now have these types of programs, since many students enter nursing after working in another industry. Other programs are intended for working LPNs and RNs who understand the importance of earning their Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

If you earned your Bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing, you may be able to jump start a nursing career with a BSN or MSN. Accelerated BSN programs can be finished in as little as 12 months, giving you a quick route to RN certification.

The other option is a direct entry MSN program, which helps you earn your RN license and move on to high-level nursing courses. This type of degree generally lasts two to three years.

If you already have an LPN diploma or an Associate’s degree in nursing, consider earning your Bachelor’s degree in a bridge program. LPN to BSN programs often last about three years, although some schools offer year-round classes to shorten the program’s duration. You could earn a BSN in 18 months at an MA RN to BSN program.

Tips for Choosing the Top Nursing Schools in Massachusetts

What makes one nursing school better than another? Which school is the right choice for you? While some factors are important for all aspiring nursing students, others depend solely on your personal preferences. This is why it’s so important to take your time when choosing a nursing school. Only by exploring local programs and comparing their benefits can you get a clear view of what matters to you.

First, it’s crucial to ensure that your nursing school offers the training you need to become licensed in Massachusetts. Through the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, you can find out which schools are approved to provide nursing education in your community. When you get the right training immediately, the licensing process is much easier.

As you reach out to Massachusetts nursing schools, you may want to ask them as many questions as possible to figure out if they’re a good fit for you. Try to write a list of questions ahead of time so you’re prepared for each phone call you make.

Questions to Ask the Best Nursing Schools in MA

What is the NCLEX pass rate?
Are there any NCLEX review courses for students getting ready to take the licensing exam?
Where do students get their clinical hours?
Are there any specialized clinical training opportunities?
What is the student-to-faculty ratio?

If you’re ready to make your move and compare nursing programs, use our list of schools to contact the best nursing schools in MA.

2017 Career Outlook for Nursing Professions in Massachusetts

Across the United States, the demand for nursing professionals has increased significantly in recent years. Massachusetts isn’t immune to this trend, and in fact, job growth statistics are higher than regional averages in many roles. As you explore Massachusetts licensed practical nursing programs and other degree options, learn about the job outlook in your state.

If you become a licensed practical nurse, you may be able to explore job openings at assisted living facilities, home care agencies, and hospice facilities. On average, Massachusetts LPNs earn $55,190 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). Through the year 2024, job openings for licensed practical nurses may jump 7% (O*Net, 2017).

Registered nurses are a core part of the healthcare industry in Massachusetts, so it should come as no surprise that they are in high demand. Job openings for RNs may increase 16% between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2017). The average annual income for a Massachusetts RN is $89,060 (BLS, 2017). If this opportunity interests you, you may start at one of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in Massachusetts.

After attending a nurse practitioner Master’s degree program, you may work as a primary care provider. NPs earn a mean income of $117,860 annually (BLS, 2017). They may see a 30% swell in job openings through 2024 (O*Net, 2017).

This is a great time to start comparing your education options in the field of nursing. Nursing groups in Massachusetts are fighting for more stringent staffing levels in hospitals, which would increase the need for nurses in many areas (Berkshire Eagle, 2017).

Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlton Memorial Hospital, UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus, Baystate Medical Center, and Brigham and Women’s Hospital