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Top Massachusetts RN to BSN Programs

Although nurses aren't formally required to hold bachelor's degrees, in today's healthcare environment it has become more common for employers to give priority to nurses who hold BSN degrees over those with two-year ADN degrees. Today, nearly half of all employers in the healthcare field require RN hires to have earned at least a bachelor’s, with close to 9 in 10 employers expressing a strong preference for BSN graduates, per a survey carried out by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. These days, colleges and universities have made it so nurses can complete RN to BSN bridge programs online, in one or two years depending on how fast they want to go, and without having to go into massive student loan debt. Finding a top program that's suits your particular needs can be more difficult than it seems, however. That's precisely why we've put together a list of the best programs in the state of Massachusetts.

How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in Massachusetts

Choosing which RN to BSN you'll attend is a big decision. While you scroll through Massachusetts top programs, we implore you to take the following factors into strong consideration:

  • Program acceptance rate
  • Duration of the program
  • Scholarship opportunities
  • Program flexibility
  • Student to instructor ratio
  • Ease of entrance (how often do new cohorts begin)
  • Student satisfaction rate
  • Internship opportunities at local healthcare facilities
  • Instructor experience/credentials
  • Program accreditation
  • How long the program has been around
  • Age of the college or university
  • Tuition rate
  • Employment rate following completion of the program

Testing and Certification

Since ADN-educated nurses are required to have passed the NCLEX-RN exam before earning their RN licenses, they're don't have to take the exam for a second time they finish an RN to BSN program.

List of Top RN to BSN Programs in Massachusetts

1. University of Massachusetts - Boston

Established in 1852, the University of Massachusetts - Boston is a research university offering a flexible, 42 credit RN to BSN program that can be completed entirely online at the student's preferred pace. The program, which can be completed in as little as three semesters, seeks to give students the knowledge and skills that are necessary to succeed in nursing leadership roles. Throughout the program, students will tackle courses like Nursing Care of Children, Mental Health Nursing, Life Span Growth and Development, and others.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Shriners Hospital for Children
  • New England Baptist Hospital
  • Boston Medical Center

Tuition:

To find out more about tuition and fees for the University of Massachusetts - Boston’s program, please call them at (617) 287-5000.

2. University of Massachusetts - Lowell

Founded in 1885, the University of Massachusetts - Lowell is a public research university that’s part of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. UM-L offers a flexible RN to BSN program that is delivered to students in a blended format that combines online coursework and face-to-face meetings. The program, which can be completed in just fifteen months, features courses like Health Promotion in Nursing and Research in Nursing and Health Care, just to name a couple.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Lowell General Hospital
  • Tewksbury Hospital
  • Lowell General Hospital - Saints Campus

Tuition:

Students who enroll in UM-L's RN to BSN program can expect to pay about $15,200 in tuition plus additional fees.

3. Anna Maria College

First established in 1946, Anna Maria College is a private Catholic liberal arts college that's located in Paxton. AMC offers students an online, 30 semester unit RN to BSN bridge program that is delivered in 8-week terms (2 courses per term) and can be finished in as little two years. In addition to the online coursework, students will have to complete clinical learning experiences at a local hospital or healthcare facility in their local area. Some courses students can expect to take while enrolled in AMC's program include Integrative Approaches to Health, Contemporary Issues in Pharmacology, and Public Health Nursing, among others.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Saint Vincent Hospital at Worchester Medical Center
  • UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus
  • Worchester Recovery Center and Hospital

Tuition:

Students who enroll in Anna Maria College's RN to BSN program can expect to pay about $9,300 in tuition plus additional fees.

4. Curry College

Originally established in 1879, Curry College is a private college that's located in Milton, Massachusetts. CC offers a 34 semester credit hour RN to BSN program that's delivered to students in a hybrid online/in-class format. The program, which seeks to develop students' critical thinking and clinical reasoning abilities, is available to part-time and full-time students. During their studies, students will dive deep into topics like pathophysiology, population health in the community, evidence-based nursing practice, and much more. Tuition rates at Curry College are competitively priced.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Milton
  • Boston Medical Center
  • Fresenius Medical Care at Milton Hospital

Tuition:

Students who enroll in Curry College's RN to BSN program can expect to pay about $12,750 in tuition plus additional fees.

5. Worcester State University

Established more than 140 years ago, Worcester State University is an American liberal arts and sciences university. WSU offers a 31 semester credit hour RN to BSN program that's delivered in a hybrid online/in-class format. The program has both part-time and full-time options. Full-time students are able to complete the program in as little as one calendar year (three semesters), while part-time students can finish in four semesters. Some courses that students will tackle include Selected Mechanisms of Disease and Related Pharmacology, Professional Nursing Leadership and Organization, and Nursing Informatics.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

  • Worchester Recovery Center and Hospital
  • Saint Vincent Hospital and Emergency Room
  • UMass Memorial Medical Center

Tuition:

To find out more about Worcester State University's program tuition, call them at (508)-929-8000.