We've organized a comprehensive list of Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts city.
A student looking into nursing education must first decide on a nursing career path that suits his or her interests. In Massachusetts, nursing programs of different certification levels for different roles are offered at a wide variety of schools, including community colleges and hospital-based schools.
Nursing assistant
For our 2021 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.
There are many pathways available for prospective nursing students. The nursing profession has four distinct roles: certified nursing assistant (CNA), licensed practical nurse (LPN), registered nurse (RN), and advanced practice registered nurse (APRN).
For our 2021 rankings of direct entry MSN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of prelicensure programs.
For our 2021 rankings of ADN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of associate’s degree programs.
For our 2021 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.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, is the largest city in Berkshire County, and it serves as the county seat. Healthcare and social assistance is one of the top three industries in Pittsfield by number of employees, with nurses comprising the largest group of workers. The metropolitan area is home to 1,210 registered nurses (RNs), 370 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and 560 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). These are the three most common nursing roles in the area.
If you would like to launch your nursing career in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, you’ll need a degree or certificate from an accredited nursing school. Fortunately, the region of more than 215,000 inhabitants has several accredited schools that prepare graduates for a career as a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or certified nurse assistant (CNA). For example, Cape Cod Community College offers an associate of science in nursing (ASN) degree program that prepares graduates for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN).
For aspiring nurses in Worcester, Massachusetts, it is critical to understand the available career paths and the key attributes of the city’s top nursing programs.
Nursing roles: An overview
The nursing programs in Springfield, Massachusetts, provide students a wide range of training specialties, favorable career opportunities, and abundant practical experience.
An overview of nursing roles
Registered nurses seeking career advancement often find that a master of science in nursing (MSN) program is the perfect fit. Offering a wide array of specialties, MSN programs provide students with extensive knowledge and specialized skills in their field, promising a very favorable career outlook.
An overview of MSN programs
For our 2021 rankings of prelicensure BSN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Aspiring registered nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of bachelor’s degree programs.
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.