Finding high-quality, accredited nursing degree programs in Massachusetts that have been accredited for excellence by the CCNE is easy. In the heart of New England, our nation’s third most densely populated state as played a significant role in the history of higher education. Boasting 121 total post-secondary institutions within its borders on the Atlantic Ocean, Massachusetts is an educational juggernaut for aspiring nurses. According to the United Health Foundation, Massachusetts ranks as the third healthiest state with the most doctors per capita in America. Even better, Massachusetts is one of the top five highest-paying states giving registered nurses an average annual salary of $85,770! Top-notch clinical practice is never far away because Massachusetts has seven nationally ranked hospitals too. To see more accredited nursing degree programs, visit Nursing Degree Programs in Massachusetts (N-Z).
American International College
School of Health Sciences
Originally established in 1885 for French Protestants, American International College is a small private co-educational liberal arts institution located on a 58-acre urban campus in the Mason Square neighborhood of Springfield. With an interracial and interfaith community of just over 3,100 students, AIC has a student-faculty ratio of 14:1 to provide personalized learning across its three academic divisions. The School of Health Sciences is fully accredited by the CCNE to prepare future healthcare professionals for accomplishing greatness in today’s complex, evolving medical environment.
Nursing (BSN)
In the Division of Nursing, the Nursing (BSN) program is available for AIC undergraduate students seeking to develop the foundational knowledge and skills needed for practicing as a registered nurse in Massachusetts. Boasting a 97% NCLEX-RN exam pass rate, the program consists of 120 credits to blend general education with nursing basics. Students will explore several different specialties, including medical-surgical nursing, psychiatric mental health nursing, nursing leadership, community health, and geriatrics. Upon completion, new nurses will be equipped with the evidence-based strategies to promote quality and safety in healthcare. Graduates can take an accelerated 24-month pathway to earning their MSN online from American International College too.
Accreditations
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
1000 State Street
Springfield, MA 01109
(413) 205-3204
deidra.graham@aic.edu
http://www.aic.edu/academics/hs/nursing
Boston College
William F. Connell School of Nursing
Nestled on a 332-acre suburban campus in Chestnut Hill within just six miles from downtown, Boston College is an elite private Jesuit and Roman Catholic research institution enrolling more than 14,300 students annually. Highly regarded by the Times Higher Education as the world’s 126th best university, Boston College is currently ranked as the 31st top college and 37th best value school in America by the U.S. News and World Report. Also acclaimed as the country’s 34th best nursing school, the William F. Connell School of Nursing uses Jesuit ideals to form the whole nurse, promote social justice, and humanize the experience of illness.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Blending the liberal arts and natural sciences with fundamental nursing knowledge, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at BC prepares generalists for providing competent care to individuals and groups across the lifespan. Thanks to the state-of-the-art campus nursing labs, students are able to fine-tune their diagnostic and therapeutic reasoning skills. Students can select from over 85 different clinical sites for applied practice across Boston, including Tufts Medical Center, Bedford VA Hospital, Massachusetts General, and McLean Hospital. In the junior year, nurses also enroll in one semester of a study abroad program to expand their global health awareness. Graduates have achieved a high average NCLEX-RN pass rate of 92%.
Accreditations
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
(617) 552-4250
anne.nunziata@bc.edu
http://www.bc.edu/schools/son/programs/undergrad.html
Curry College
Division of Nursing
Since its founding in 1879, Curry College has grown into a senior private comprehensive liberal arts institution offering 22 bachelor’s and four master’s degrees to its more than 4,200 students. From its wooded 131-acre suburban campus in Milton near the Blue Hills Reservation within just seven miles from Boston, Curry offers some of New England’s finest career-focused accredited programs with small class sizes. The Division of Nursing has hired internationally recognized faculty and partnered with the area’s best medical facilities to support the development of the state’s next generation of generalist registered nurses.
Nursing (B.S.)
As a traditional four-year program where nursing courses start in the sophomore year, the Nursing (B.S.) degree at Curry College is designed to meet the learning needs of first-year freshmen, transfer students, and licensed practical nurses seeking to become RNs. Within the 120-credit curriculum, students will be challenged to master topics like health assessment, human anatomy, physiology, chemistry, pathophysiology, community health, and evidence-based nursing care. All nursing majors are required to complete five semesters of clinical practice for hands-on learning. Graduates will have the experience to address the demands of today’s evolving healthcare system. Curry also provides a RN-BS program for registered nurses and an accelerated program (ACCEL) for second-degree students. If you are interested in an RN-BSN program online, check out Top 10 Cheap Online RN to BSN Degree Programs 2014.
Accreditations
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
1071 Blue Hill Avenue
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 333-2281
dliebert@curry.edu
http://www.curry.edu/programs-and-courses/undergraduate-programs/majors-minors-and-concentrations/majors/nursing.html
Elms College
School of Nursing
Enrolling around 1,100 students, Elms College is a small private Roman Catholic liberal arts institution located on a beautiful 27-acre urban campus along the Connecticut River in Chicopee near Springfield. Offering 33 different academic majors, Elms College is currently ranked as the 24th best regional college in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. Since 1978, the School of Nursing has built on the values of the Sisters of St. Joseph to create accredited programs that produce professional nurses for meeting the needs of our evolving society. The School promotes diversity by being a member of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Designed to give preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Elms provides the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes professional nurses need in the 21st century. Based on a strong liberal arts core, the rigorous 127-credit program meets all nationally recognized competencies for registered nurses. Students benefit from a seamless integration of contemporary teaching, clinical learning, and state-of-the-art simulation. Since 1999, the Sister Nora Harrington Nurse Scholar Program has been offered to BSN students in the top 10% of their class for even more enriching experiences. Nurses can also pursue the cohort-based RN to BSN degree through convenient afternoon and evening classes.
Accreditations
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
291 Springfield Street
Chicopee, MA 01013
(413) 265-2457
matrowm@elms.edu
http://www.elms.edu/school-of-nursing/bachelor-of-science/
Emmanuel College
Department of Nursing
As a private four-year Roman Catholic liberal arts institution founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Emmanuel College is home for around 2,500 students on its main 17-acre urban campus in the famous Fenway neighborhood of Boston and satellite location in Quincy. Well-known for having over 85% of undergraduates completing internships, Emmanuel is currently ranked as the 60th best regional college in the North by the U.S. News and World Report. In the Department of Nursing, students can select from a bachelor’s and master’s degree to further develop their passion for helping others in the profession of nursing.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
In the heart of the Longwood Medical District, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a CCNE-accredited program structured to prepare first-year and transfer students with the clinical training necessary to advance into professional nursing practice. Thanks to the program’s focus on health promotion, students will develop key professional values and a deeper appreciation for human diversity. The self-paced curriculum requires at least 128 credits, including courses in microbiology, anatomy, physiology, psychology, statistics, health assessment, nursing leadership, research methods, nursing informatics, public health, and contemporary healing interventions. Before graduation, nurses must successfully finish a health promotion practicum at an approved clinical facility anywhere in Boston.
Accreditations
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
400 Fenway
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 735-9715
ahearn@emmanuel.edu
http://www.emmanuel.edu/graduate-professional-programs/academics/nursing/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing.html
Fitchburg State University
Nursing Department
Located on a 31-acre urban campus in Fitchburg along the Nashua River in north-central Massachusetts, Fitchburg State University is a four-year public higher learning institution enrolling over 5,200 students in its 25 academic disciplines. Recognized by the U.S. News and World Report for having the 125th best online bachelor’s programs in America, Fitchburg State is firmly grounded in the liberal arts with career-oriented learning. The Nursing Department has a distinguished history of producing competent nurses within its technologically advanced health assessment and clinical simulation labs.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Featuring a first-time NCLEX exam pass rate over 95% for the last three years, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Fitchburg State excels at preparing professional nurses who are capable of meeting today’s most critical societal healthcare demands. The highly experienced faculty is dedicated to fostering a respect for diversity, social responsibility, critical thinking, and commitment to ethics for holistic nursing practice. Fully accredited by the CCNE, the campus-based daytime program requires seniors to complete 17 hours of clinical practicum each week as their capstone. In addition to the four-year curriculum, there are two accelerated tracks offered for LPN and RN students online.
Accreditations
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
160 Pearl Street
Fitchburg, MA 01420
(978) 665-3222
lmckay@fitchburgstate.edu
http://www.fitchburgstate.edu/academics/undergraduate-day-programs/nursing/
Framingham State University
Department of Nursing
First founded in 1839, Framingham State University is a comprehensive senior public teaching institution educating more than 6,400 students from its inviting 73-acre suburban campus in Framingham within just 20 miles from Boston in Middlesex County. As one of just 22 schools in Massachusetts to be named a “Green College” by the Princeton Review for sustainability, FSU offers small classes, personalized attention, affordability, and an exciting location. The Department of Nursing is accredited by the CCNE to provide nursing activities based in evidence to develop competent healthcare professionals dedicated to patient safety.
Undergraduate RN to BS(N)
Available for students with valid RN license only, the Undergraduate RN to BS(N) program at Framingham State is devised to better equip practicing nurses for advancing into leadership roles and potentially studying at the graduate level. Nurses build on a broad-based educational foundation in the humanities to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and independent action skills for professional practice. The flexible curriculum contains 32 courses, such as medical informatics, primary prevention, nursing theory, nursing leadership, nursing research, and professional nursing perspectives. Students can complete the program in as little as three semesters full-time in a hybrid format that blends campus and online learning.
Accreditations
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
100 State Street
Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 620-1220
smullaney@framingham.edu
http://www.framingham.edu/nursing/undergraduate-programs/index.html
Laboure College
Division of Nursing
Highly acclaimed for being the longest provider of nurses for Boston, Laboure College is an independent private non-profit Roman Catholic institution specialized in the health sciences since its inception in 1892. Recently moved to a former campus of Aquinas College in Milton, Laboure is fully accredited by the NEASC to deliver programs ranging from nursing and nutrition to radiation therapy and medical coding. In the Division of Nursing, students will receive state-of-the-art clinical training to become vital healthcare team members for fulfilling the critical RN shortage in various specialties.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
In a unique 2+2 format, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is given to allow Laboure students the chance to enter the nursing profession quicker than most traditional programs. In the first two years, students will build fundamental nursing knowledge and skills at the associate’s degree level to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Then, the final two years will contain more extensive clinical rotations to equip nurses with the ability to handle more advanced professional nursing responsibilities. Students will learn to deliver patient-centered care in various acute care settings, including Good Samaritan Medical Center, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Carney Hospital, and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. It’s also possible for registered nurses to enroll solely in the flexible RN to BSN program.
Accreditations
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
303 Adams Street
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 202-3149
admissions@laboure.edu
http://www.laboure.edu/academic-programs/associate-degrees/nursing.aspx
MCPHS University
School of Nursing
Formerly called the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, MCPHS University is a fully accredited private non-profit institution that specializes in preparing its more than 6,900 students for successful medical careers. Although MCPHS is based on a nine-acre urban campus in the Longwood Medical District of Boston, there are satellite locations in Worcester and Manchester, New Hampshire too. The U.S. News and World Report recognized MCPHS for hosting the nation’s 158th best online bachelor’s programs. The School of Nursing takes an immersive learning approach to meeting the growing demand for baccalaureate-level nurses with superb clinical opportunities.
Nursing (Accelerated B.S.)
Leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, the Nursing (Accelerated B.S.) program at MCPHS is designed to guide students towards obtaining essential knowledge, skills, values, and competencies to advance into professional nursing. Offering direct-entry admission for freshmen and transfer students, the full-time, year-round program takes an accelerated degree pathway of just 32 months. After building a base in the liberal arts, students are challenged to become critical thinkers with great clinical judgment through hands-on practice. The 122-credit curriculum was developed by clinical partners at Boston’s Harvard-affiliated hospitals. Graduates will have the qualifications to enroll in the part-time online MSN programs at MCPHS too.
Accreditations
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
179 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 274-3347
edith.claros@mcphs.edu
http://www.mcphs.edu/academics/programs/nursing%20accelerated%20bs
MGH Institute of Health Professions
School of Nursing
Founded by Massachusetts General Hospital in 1977, the MGH Institute of Health Professions is a private upper-level health sciences institution serving more than 1,200 students. With accredited programs ranging from nursing and physical therapy to occupational therapy and speech-language pathology in its 100,000-square feet of learning space, the MGH Institute is situated on an urban campus in Boston within the Charleston Navy Yard. The School of Nursing is CCNE-approved to produce compassionate, capable nursing professionals who stand at the forefront of change in today’s diverse healthcare industry.
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Over the course of just 14 months, the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program gives students the fast track to passing the NCLEX-RN exam and becoming a registered nurse in Massachusetts or any other state. Requiring no prior nursing experience, the cohort-based program covers 54 credit hours of courses like health assessment, healthcare policy, health ethics, pharmacology, physiology, adult health, and community nursing. In the four term, students are immersed as clinical interns at one of Boston’s 600 leading healthcare facilities. Students will benefit from the MGH Institute’s nationally recognized faculty, innovative teaching methods, individualized attention, and renowned simulation facilities. The program has two convenient start dates annually in January and May.
Accreditations
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
Contact
36 First Avenue
Boston, MA 02129
(617) 726-2947
nursing@mghihp.edu
http://www.mghihp.edu/academics/nursing/
According to Payscale, nursing is one of the second most meaningful major for changing the world. Earning your bachelor’s degree in nursing will provide the clinical competencies needed to oversee the day-to-day care of sick and injured patients on the road to recovery. Receiving your RN credentials may not require a BSN yet, but many employers will prefer nurses who have gone the extra mile to obtain a baccalaureate-level education. Bachelor’s programs typically produce nurses who will enjoy more opportunities for specialization, greater leadership responsibilities, better job stability, and higher income potential. Whether you’re a first-year freshman or an experienced RN, there’s certainly the right fit for you among the many nursing degree programs in Massachusetts.
