America’s “Bay State”, Massachusetts is known all over the world for its educational institutes for higher learning. The state boasts a number of schools that offer a range of postsecondary programs in a variety of fields including nursing. Nursing schools in Massachusetts prepare their students to apply for a variety of opportunities in the nursing field. Vacancies for various nursing jobs are likely to open up in the coming years. In addition to healthcare, health care technology, high technology, and financial services are also some of the industries in the state that have recently been growing.
Nursing Schools in Massachusetts
Massachusetts nursing schools have designed a variety of programs for students who wish to equip themselves with the skills and knowledge essential to work as a nurse. There is a vast variety of nursing programs being offered all across the state. For example, students who want to learn the fundamentals of nursing science only, may consider enrolling in the licensed practical nurse (LPN) programs. These are geared towards providing students with foundational knowledge in nursing practice through classroom instruction as well as hands on experience.
Massachusetts nursing schools also offer registered nurse (RN) programs, including the associate and bachelor degrees. These programs are designed for those who want to take the registered nurse licensing exam, to obtain the RN title.
Advanced nursing degrees are also available in Massachusetts. RNs who want to specialize in a particular field within nursing or those who want to apply for positions within research or teaching may enroll in the master’s or PhD programs in nursing.
Nursing specialties
Nurses may choose to provide general nursing care services or gain expertise in a particular area within nursing such as:
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Adult care
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Neonatal care
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Pediatric acute/critical care
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Progressive care nursing
What courses will you study?
There are a number of topics that nursing students study, which allows them to learn nursing practices and nursing administration as well. Common courses include:
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Anatomy and physiology
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Community health
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Adult and family health
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Psychiatric nursing
Advanced programs also include instruction in topics such as leadership in nursing, healthcare management and nursing research that allows students to develop communication, research and leadership skills.
What are the opportunities for graduates?
According to the data published by O*NET OnLine, there were about 78,750 registered nurses in Massachusetts (2012). By 2022, the state is likely to require 2,980 registered nurses, a year that shows 19% job growth. The median annual pay for RNs in the state was $83,720 (2013).
Financial aid
Massachusetts students who cannot afford nursing education can apply for a number of financial assistance programs to finance their education. Some of the options include:
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Edward S. Moss Memorial Scholarship
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Massachusetts Legion Nursing Scholarship
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Devlin Medical Scholarship
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Massachusetts Nurses Foundation (MNA) – Kate Maker Scholarship
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Federal student loans
Financial assistance, however, is only awarded to those who qualify.