How to Become a Nurse in Massachusetts

Aspiring nurses in Massachusetts must choose between two Registered Nurse (RN) programs: an Associate Degree (ADN) or Bachelor’s Degree (BSN) in nursing, which take two and four years to complete, respectively. Additionally, they may become a Licensed Professional Nurse (LPN) with a year-long diploma program or early exit from their RN program. However, most choose Registered Nursing, as it offers more dynamic work opportunities and significantly higher wages.

To become a nurse in Massachusetts, one must first complete a few introductory college courses in topics like English, math and biology before applying to a college of nursing. There are usually more applications than space in a nursing program, so grades in prerequisites can be quite important.

A nursing education program starts with the basics of patient care in both a classroom and clinical setting and progresses from there. By the second year, nursing students begin to learn broader theories of nursing, including management and theoretical principles. Then, where ADN students leave the program at two years, BSN students move on to advance studies in all aspects of nursing, including elective courses on focused topics of individual interest like maternity, community health programming, and so on.

Upon graduation, nursing students take the NCLEX licensure examination. With both LPN and RN versions, it is standardized for nursing students nationwide, and it is the last step to becoming a nurse in Massachusetts.

For more information on Massachusetts nursing, like jobs, wages, and alternative nursing education programs, please visit our in depth state page.