According to the Bureau of labor Statistics report of 2013, Boston has a high demand for healthcare professionals. The city of Boston is home to a range of healthcare facilities that offers employment opportunities for various nursing qualifications. With the healthcare sector expected to grow over the next few years, investing in a related degree may turn out to be a wise decision for students looking to pursue a noble and challenging career.
Types of Nursing Programs
Nursing schools in Boston offer an array of nursing programs that one can choose from and these could be categorized into three broad categories:
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Transition programs for nurses:
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All LPN to RN Programs
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All RN to BSN Programs
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Entry level nursing programs:
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LPN/LVN Programs
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Associate Degree Nursing Programs
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Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs
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Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs
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Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Programs
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Graduate programs for nurses
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Masters in Nursing Programs
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DNP and PhD in Nursing Programs
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Nurse Practitioner Programs
Curriculums
Curriculum requirements vary with the kind of degree. Entry level degree programs such as the Associate's degree programs mainly focus on core nursing courses and practical training; these programs typically take two years to complete. Bachelor's degree programs take a more detailed approach towards nursing; the program offers theoretical and research-based courses which enables students to acquire in-depth understanding. A Bachelor's degree typically requires four to five years of full-time study.
The main areas of focus in most associate and bachelors degree programs include:
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Health Care Research
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Pharmacology
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Community & Public Health
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Foundations of Nursing
Master's programs in nursing are usually specialization programs that take around two years to complete. PhD programs are also offered in the field of nursing, these can take four to seven years to complete.
Practical clinical experience is an integral part of every type of nursing program, with many colleges requiring hundreds of clinical hours.
Job Outlook
The Boston area offers a host of employers for nursing professionals, including community clinics, hospitals, and nursing homes. Certain area health care institutes also provide tuition assistance or reimbursement to employees who plan to attend nursing school in future. Some medical centers offer in-house nursing training, scholarships, and tuition reimbursement to those who are enrolled in external nursing courses.
Nursing professionals in Boston may be able to earn higher salaries than the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs have an annual average salary of $88,100, while nurse practitioners earn $108,820 per year on average. The average salary for an LPN in Boston is $53,020 (BLS, 2013). Massachusetts Nurses Association offers membership to nurses from different institutes with different qualifications. This type of organization may facilitate nursing professionals with union support, legislative and regulation updates, and by posting job openings.
Once you have chosen the type of program and the school in Boston that offers the program, visit the official website of the institute or request program materials from the admissions office to learn more.