Keen on becoming a nurse, but want to stay in the Cambridge, Newton, and Framingham areas of Massachusetts? Thankfully there are plenty of local education options for all nursing roles. For example, Framingham State University offers both a bachelor's degree in registered nursing and a master's degree in nursing administration. The broader metro area is home to at least a dozen other top-notch nursing schools with diverse program offerings.
The quickest option to consider is joining the 15,000-strong workforce of certified nursing assistants (CNAs). These jobs are in high demand as the nursing sector expands rapidly over the next few years. Major healthcare employers such as Lahey Health and Genesis Healthcare have jobs located conveniently in Newton. The average CNA in the metro area earns about $30,000 per year.
Registered nurses (RNs) constitute the majority of the nursing workforce. In the Boston metro area, there are over 40,000 RNs currently employed. These RNs direct many aspects of patient care and often supervise LPNs and CNAs. The RN role requires a two-year associate’s degree, three-year hospital diploma, or four-year bachelor’s degree plus successful completion of the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination. RNs in the local metro area earn a median annual salary of $84,400. Many RNs earn well into six figures with graduate-level education and increased specialization.
Aspiring nurses in the Cambridge / Newton / Framingham area can find excellent local education options by consulting our comprehensive list of schools below.