Massachusetts RN Programs

How to Become a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts

Nursing remains a fast growing field throughout the country. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics program, job opportunities for registered nurses are expected to be excellent in the coming years. Employers in some parts of the country are already reporting difficulty in attracting and retaining RNs. The average RN salary in Massachusetts is $94,960 a year, or equivalently, $45.65 an hour. RNs in Massachusetts make more than the national average.

The first step to becoming a registered nurse is to satisfy the nurse education requirements. The minimum education required is a diploma or associates degree in nursing (ADN). These programs typically take between 2 and 3 years to complete and qualify graduating students to become licensed nurses in the State of Massachusetts. RN education requirements can also be fulfilled by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program at an accredited university. BSN programs typically consist of 4 years of undergraduate-level course work. A BSN program may be a better option for individuals interested in obtaining either clinical or administrative nursing positions.

A nursing student will want to verify that the school or program they have selected is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing prior to enrollment. Currently there is one registered nurse hospital based diploma program in Massachusetts, located at Brockton Hospital in Brockton, MA. In addition, there are more than 20 approved ADN programs and 18 approved BSN programs. A full list of programs can be found on this page.

Registered nurses who work in a hospital or healthcare institution in the state of Massachusetts must be officially licensed. In order to obtain an RN license, a candidate must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). NCLEX-RN examinations are designed to test the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform safely and effectively as a newly licensed registered nurse. NCLEX-RN exams are currently offered in a Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT) format and administered by Pearson VUE. Questions may be asked in a multiple choice, fill in the blank, or other broader format such as selecting the correct answer(s) out of a group of choices.

Once you have completed your education requirements and are ready to take the NCLEX-RN, you should first contact the board of nursing where you are seeking licensure for specific licensing requirements. Application information related to Massachusetts nurse licensure by examination is available on-line (www.pcshq.com) or by telephone (toll-free at 877-887-9727) from Professional Credential Services on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

In summary, the following steps should be taken if you are interested in becoming a registered nurse in the state of Massachusetts:

1. Graduate from a board approved hospital-based diploma, ADN, or BSN program.
2. Apply to take and pass the NCLEX-RN examination.
3. Enjoy your new career as a registered nurse in Massachusetts!

Massachusetts Associates Degree RN Programs

Accredited Massachusetts RN Schools

See our complete list of qualified RN nursing education programs in the state of Massachusetts. The schools listed here offer pre-licensure nursing programs that meet the registered nursing education requirements set forth by the Massachusetts State Board of Nursing. The two most common types of RN programs are: two-year Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) and four-year Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN). Although the schools listed on this page are accredited by the Massachusetts Board of Nursing and approved by the state of Massachusetts, they might not be accredited by national organizations such as the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). Individuals should check to see if the state-approved nursing school they are considering also enjoys national accreditation status if they are seeking a school with both accreditations.