Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
Massachusetts healthcare employers have a marked preference for BSN-prepared nurses because these nurses have the skills they need to jump right into leadership roles. That means they also have far more opportunities for career advancement. Graduates of BSN programs in Massachusetts make more money than ADN and diploma nurses, too; on average, they earn $106,040 a year. The Bay State offers online BSN nursing programs in addition to more traditional campus educational models. Interested in learning more? Keep reading to discover more about the 10 best BSN programs in Massachusetts for 2024.
WHAT ARE THE BEST BSN PROGRAMS IN MASSACHUSETTS (ONLINE & CAMPUS)?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 10 best BSN programs in Massachusetts (Online & Campus).
1)Worcester State, Worcester
Worcester State University was founded in 1874 to bring the best instruction combination of arts, humanities, and science together under one collective roof. Located on Chandler Street in Worcester, Massachusetts, the BSN degree path provides a firm foundation of scholarly instruction and practical nursing skill development to create a well-rounded graduate.
Applications are accepted starting Nov 15th in order to begin the next fall semester. All firm commitments must be made by Jan 15th of that year if accepted and you plan to attend. Your freshman year is spent taking all of the core curriculum necessary to give you the foundational requirements for your degree. You begin the nursing curriculum in the sophom*ore year, with a tiered course selection. Each nursing student must maintain a "C" average, receive passing marks on all required clinical work, and obtain 120 credit hours before graduating.
2)Simmons College, Boston
Simmons College, established in 1899, is one of the premier nursing schools in Massachusetts with access to world-renowned research facilities and teaching hospital environments like Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children's Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital. You will carry out your rotations while under the mentorship of some of the most brilliant minds in the field.
Deadline for applications for new undergraduates is February 1st with an April 1st notifications date. All required science, social science, math, and core degree credits must be completed before beginning the nursing curriculum. 128 credits are required for graduation from the pre-licensure BSN program.
U.S.News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and Forbes have all named Simmons "Best College" and students love the fact that they are placed in the heart of Boston. Along with some of the best lectures touring the campus circuit, you can also take in a few of the local sights of Boston.
3)Endicott College, Beverly
Endicott College graduated the first class of 20 students in 1941 and has continued on to become a trusted source of nursing education that prepares you for a career or further educational opportunities. The smaller size of this college might appeal to the nursing student that prefers a less crowded atmosphere that offers quality instruction in a state-of-the-art setting.
You will have to complete the desired prerequisite foundational courses in science, math, and social sciences, but your sophom*ore year will be filled with nursing courses. You can look forward to gaining clinical experience at renowned places like Boston Children's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. You will graduate after completing all required coursework with a "C" average and finishing the needed 126 credits.
You must submit your testing scores, transcripts, and all required documents at the time of application. The deadline for applications is February 15th for the fall semester and December 15th for the spring.
4)Boston College, Chestnut Hill
The Prestigious Connell School of Nursing at Boston College is one that offers an attractive 1:6 faculty to student ratio for clinical training sessions, which is almost unheard of in such a dynamic setting. The opportunity to become involved in athletics or take part in nursing studies abroad helps each student develop a deeper appreciation of global service needs.
The first year of the BSN program will involve taking courses like two semesters of Anatomy and Physiology, Life Science Chemistry, and English. The remaining three years are centered more on the nursing curriculum. Most semesters will require a course load of 15 credit hours and a total of 117 credits are needed for graduation.
Application for acceptance to the BSN course at Boston College begins with the normal undergraduate process. The application deadline is January 1 with the acceptance notifications no later than April 1.
5)Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg
Fitchburg State University was the first public school to offer a nursing degree in Massachusetts and continues to offer a BSN program that prepares graduates for success in the demanding field of patient care. You can enjoy a quality clinical experience in many state-of-the-art facilities and a full spectrum simulation lab.
The four-year BSN degree plan starts all nursing classes at the sophom*ore year level. The prerequisite courses like Anatomy and Physiology are taken during the freshman year. The nursing curriculum is filled with enlightening courses like Maternal-Newborn Nursing and Community Health Nursing. You are required to complete all nursing courses with a "C" and have a total of 120 credits to graduate.
To apply you need to fill out an application at the earliest opportunity before the fall semester you plan to begin attendance. The deadline is rolling, but most of the required paperwork is due by May 1st.
6)University of Massachusetts - Amherst, Amherst
The BSN program at the College of Nursing at UMass Amherst is one that has a smaller intimate feel but offers a powerful, marketable degree from a well-known research university. You are guaranteed to learn all of the latest knowledge and skills from award-winning professors and research professionals. Located in Skinner Hall at the main campus of the University of Massachusetts, the opportunities to expand your knowledge beyond traditional borders are encouraged.
The acceptance rate for the limited placements in the BSN program is 12 percent, which is why it is advisable to do well on your SAT or ACT tests and maintain as close to a 4.0 GPA as possible. The application must be submitted by February 15th for fall placement.
You will begin taking a few nursing courses in your first year in the 120 credit BSN degree program. The first two years will also be filled with classes like psychology, chemistry, and human anatomy, followed by two years of nursing-centered classes that develop generalist knowledge and cultivates leadership abilities.
7)University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth, North Dartmouth
The UMass Dartmouth BSN program for undergraduates is competitive due to the mix of necessary core courses and one-on-one clinical training and mentorship that completes your final year towards graduation. You don't have to wait to take your first nursing course. You are introduced to the major field of your choice within the first year.
The BSN course at UMass Dartmouth is nationally recognized in academic structure, design, and excellence. Graduates tend to quickly become leaders in their field and over entire medical teams. Application deadlines are February 1st for priority nursing fall placement and January 1st for spring semester starts.
The BS in Nursing requires completion of 122 credit hours of study and clinical experience. The last half of the last year you will actually work as a practicing nurse under the supervision of a mentoring nurse. You will feel fully prepared to enter your chosen field with confidence.
8)Westfield State University, Westfield
Westfield State University has provided a strong source of diverse college graduates for over 175 years. Renowned for academic excellence, it's situated within a nearly equal distance of Boston and New York, two of largest economic hubs in the United States. The pre-licensure nursing program is one that is demanding but goes above and beyond to prepare you for the technological advancements of the new age in patient care.
The BSN degree from Westfield includes a mix of core studies in the humanities, sciences, and liberal arts that complement your developing nursing skills. You must maintain a "C" average in all courses to remain in good standing. You must complete a total of 120 credits for graduation.
Once all required documents are submitted with a completed application, the admissions committee will review and determine who gets acceptance. The application deadline for first-year students is March 1st for a fall start and November 15th for a spring start.
9)Northeastern University, Boston
Northeastern University is a Boston area institution of higher learning that understands the importance of experience in completing fundamental knowledge in the world of nursing. It offers a Bachelor of Science in nursing program in MA that allow students real work educational opportunities in all sorts of Boston medical settings. You graduate feeling confident about every aspect of duty demanded of a generalist.
To complete the BSN program, you must choose the four or five-year path, complete the requisite co-op portions, and have a total of 112 credits or more. All course requirements are the same, but the four-year requires two co-ops and a five-year program requiring three co-ops. Each co-op lasts six months and you must declare which path you are taking by the beginning of your third year. You must apply by January 1st and receive decisions no later than April 1st.
10)American International College, Springfield
One great benefit of attending the American International College BSN program is the extensive services offered in helping you launch your nursing career. You can get help with your resume, find internships, take part in mock job interviews, and completely plan your future career. You get a quality education and assistance from professionals that know what recruiters are looking for in good candidates.
To graduate, you must complete at least 120 hours of both core prerequisite courses and nursing courses like Nursing Leadership and Family Centered Nursing. AIC is a friendly campus that invites each newcomer to experience all there is to offer in groups, student government, athletics, and connecting with the entire student body.
AIC has a rolling application deadline. You should hear a response for or against acceptance within two weeks of applying. You need to have a 2.5 cumulative GPA and all necessary standardized entrance testing complete.
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