Massachusetts, MA | LPN Nursing Program Information
Licensed Practical Nurses in Massachusetts are responsible for many tasks that are all very important in monitoring, assessing, and maintaining patient health. Usually, they work under the direction of a physician or Registered Nurse and carry out essential bedside care such as monitoring vital signs, giving injections and administering other prescribed medicines, dressing wounds and so on, and feeding, bathing, collecting samples and maintaining medical equipment.
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Massachusetts Nursing Info.
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Full time Licensed Practical Nurses work the usual 40 hours per week. But, because many patients need around the clock attention, many LPNs work nights, weekends and holidays. While not ideal for everyone, this can be beneficial for those needing flexible schedules due to other commitments such as family, school and so on—especially considering the competitive salaries earned by LPNs. Secondly, this means that LPNs with other responsibilities like family and school can find flexible employment that suits their personal needs.
How to Become an LPN in Massachusetts
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Becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in Massachusetts requires graduation from of a state approved LPN program, which typically takes about a year of full time study. Before application to an LPN program, a number of prerequisites, ranging from scientific topics like microbiology to liberal arts like English and psychology must be completed—usually around ten courses for a total of 30 credit hours. At all LPN schools, from private facilities to colleges and universities, there is a standard for minimum grade point average in prerequisite courses, which can be as low as a C average or a 2.5 GPA. But meeting minimum requirements will not always guarantee acceptance—with a large number applicants for nursing programs in Massachusetts, a ranking system is established at most schools of nursing that gives preference to those applicants with better grades.After half a year of prerequisites, a typical Licensed Practical Nurse program in Massachusetts requires around one year of study and the completion of 60 credit hours of course work, after which students must take and pass the National Counsel Licensing Examination-Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN). The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing has contracted licensure services to Professional Credential Services, who charge $230 for application and the exam itself, taken though Pearson Vue, costs $200. It is important to note that any criminal record must be reported prior to application for examination, and acceptance to sit the exam is examined on a case to case basis. It is best to contact school administrators before beginning a program to see if your criminal history may present a problem.After passing the NCLEX-PN—results are reported within ten business days—an LPN is eligible to work as an LPN in Massachusetts. Once employed, an LPN license must be renewed every two years on odd numbered years, which carries a $120 fee and a requirement of 15 hours of continuing education.
LPN Jobs and Salaries in Massachusetts
While more than half of the LPNs in Massachusetts work in hospitals, it is also possible to find employment in other settings such as nursing homes, doctor’s offices and even private homes. The average salary for an LPN in Massachusetts metropolitan areas like Boston is around $46,000 per year (according to BLS.gov) and a bit less in rural settings. Additional benefits, like health care and 401k, can be worth more than $15,000 a year as well. As reported by the US Department of Labor, the job outlook is good for LPN’s, with higher than average growth expected, particularly in nursing homes and home care facilities.
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