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Massachusetts, MA | LPN to BSN Nursing School Program

Why Take an LPN to BSN in Massachusetts?

Working as an LPN in Massachusetts can be a great career, but for those wanting more diverse workplace opportunities, an LPN to BSN program is an attractive option. A currently licensed LPN can obtain a Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BSN), in about three years, and in doing so open the door to a wide variety of exciting new career opportunities.

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Much like an Associate Degree, Nursing (ADN), a BSN prepares students for the national Registered Nurse licensing examination: the NCLEX-RN. Unlike an ADN, a BSN offers further opportunities for targeted learning in specialized areas that appeal to each particular student. Focusing on anything from rehabilitation to pharmaceutical research, a BSN leads to opportunities both within and outside of hospital and clinical settings. From the instruction of entry-level nurses to research opportunities with public and private health organizations and even NGO work in far off lands, a BSN provides the opportunity to pursue any number of occupational streams—and an opportunity to make a good salary as well. Currently, the average pay for an RN in metropolitan Massachusetts is over $73,000 per year (according to BLS.gov) plus benefits, and with a BSN, corporate salaries into six figures are achievable.

LPN to BSN Requirements in Massachusetts

Before entering an LPN to BSN in Massachusetts one must be accepted into general studies in the school of choice. Then, sufficient grades, usually a 2.5 or C average, must be achieved in prerequisite courses completed during their first year of study. However, this is not always enough as nursing school, and BSN programs in particular, tends to be very competitive—achieving excellent grades is highly recommended if you wish to enter your program of choice and it is recommended to speak to someone within the nursing department before applying.

From statistics to English and anatomy, general studies complement the nursing theory courses and clinical study that make up the core component of an LPN to BSN in Massachusetts. Nursing-specific courses with a wide range of topics such as mental health nursing, adult care, maternity care, pediatrics, medication and assessment, legal issues in health care and more make up the bulk of the curriculum. Indeed, it is through the extra time allotted to a BSN that an LPN can pursue the areas of nursing that they find the most interesting towards an enjoyable and personally gratifying career path.

Nurses in an LPN to BSN take the NCLEX-RN during the course of their studies, which means it also offers the opportunity to become a full-fledged Registered Nurse. The exam costs $200 from the exam administrator Pearson Vue, along with a $230 application fee paid to Professional Credential Services, the company which holds the contract for nurse licensing in the state. Students leave an LPN to BSN program with their RN and BSN, as well as a plethora of choices with regards to career path and greatly improved earning potential.