A growing employer preference for higher education, specifically bachelor’s and master’s degrees, is brightening the career prospects of students who enroll in four-year colleges and universities for their nursing education. Nurses certified at a bachelor’s or master’s degree level have diverse employment options, including nursing homes, hospitals, clinics, managed care groups, and community-based settings. Major nursing employers in Massachusetts include Genesis Healthcare, Cambridge Health Alliance, and Tenet Health.
A bachelor’s degree qualifies students to become registered nurses (RN), which make up the bulk of the nursing workforce. A master’s degree, on the other hand, allows one to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) as well as specialize within a field of nursing. With over 25 schools in Massachusetts offering over 65 degree programs at either the bachelor’s or master’s level, students are not lacking in choice for education options. University of Massachusetts, for example, offers both bachelor’s and master’s degree programs on its four campuses. The degrees incorporate both research and clinical studies. On top of nursing, students will also attend foundational courses in sciences and humanities for a broad-based education.
To help aspiring nurses considering a four-year college or university nursing program, we have compiled below a complete list of these schools in Massachusetts.