We've organized a comprehensive list of Maryland nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major Maryland city.
A nursing assistant takes on the most junior role in the US nursing system. Nursing assistant certification is the basic level of licensure required to practice as a healthcare professional in Maryland. Upon certification, a nursing assistant will perform tasks under the supervision of a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a registered nurse (RN).
Certification
For our 2020 rankings of LPN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Aspiring practical nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-PN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of practical nursing programs.
Registered nurses (RNs) have professional certifications which qualify them to work as independent healthcare professionals. They are licensed to administer direct care, and also to decide on treatment that should be provided.
Education
Are you interested in beginning or furthering a career in Maryland’s nursing industry? Regardless of your age or experience, Maryland has a breadth of nursing programs that can help you either gain initial licensure or enhance your existing career.
The Baltimore metropolitan area has well over a dozen accredited nursing schools. They offer a wide range of nursing education programs, providing a path to licensure for all the major nursing roles.
Public nursing schools are operated by state colleges and universities. They provide a viable option for aspiring nurses with tight educational budgets. These government-funded nursing schools charge lower tuition than private schools; they also offer a state-approved syllabus and standardized methods of instruction. Students can attain licensure for all four levels of nursing at Maryland’s public schools: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
Vocational schools provide a viable pathway to nursing employment for individuals with heavy work commitments or limited time for time study. These institutions offer a variety of nursing programs, enabling candidates to fit their study within budget and schedule constraints. Most importantly, vocational, career, and community colleges offer a rapid path to nursing employment.
Four-year colleges and universities offer nursing programs for candidates to attain a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). BSN candidates receive numerous hours of clinical experience as part of their nursing education. Students who complete a BSN program and pass the NCLEX-RN national exam will gain official licensure as registered nurses (RNs). RNs make independent patient care decisions and supervise the healthcare activities of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
Are you interested in beginning or furthering a career in Maryland’s nursing industry? Regardless of your age or experience, Maryland has a breadth of nursing programs that can help you either gain initial licensure or enhance your existing career.
Three nursing roles are most prevalent in the Washington, DC suburbs of Maryland: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN) and registered nurse (RN).
Role descriptions
To become a nursing assistant, candidates complete a certification program lasting 8-10 weeks, often followed by a state-administered examination. Upon completion of this program, CNAs are qualified to work under the supervision of LPNs and RNs.
In Prince George’s County, Maryland, nursing roles typically fall into one of the following three categories: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and registered nurse (RN).
The first category, nursing assistants, operate largely under the supervision of LPNs and RNs. To become a nursing assistant, candidates complete a certification program lasting 8-10 weeks. This program is usually followed by a state-administered examination.
There are three primary types of nurses in Montgomery County, Maryland: certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and registered nurses (RNs).
Nursing assistants
Nursing assistants work under the supervision of LPNs and RNs. They need to complete a brief eight- to ten-week certification program in order to become a qualified healthcare professional. A state-administered examination follows this program.
Licensed practical nurses
Registered nursing (RN) to master of science in nursing (MSN) programs
An RN-to-BSN program enables an existing registered nurse (RN) who holds an associate’s degree to earn a bachelor’s (BSN) degree. These programs are offered both on-campus and online, to cater to the varied needs of students. Candidates on a full-time track complete the program in 18-24 months and can look forward to broadened career options, greater credibility in the workplace, and increased earnings. The BSN degree is offered at such schools as Stevenson University and University of Maryland - Baltimore.
Skills
The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree is offered along two tracks: 1) pre-licensure programs that prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam and 2) “RN-to-BSN” programs that enable existing registered nurses (RNs) to earn a bachelor’s degree.
Education
The pre-licensure track is a four-year degree program that prepares students to work as licensed RNs, equipped to independently administer medical care and treatment.