Nursing Programs in MA — Become a Registered Nurse
Every day, nurses make decisions and take action to improve patient health while adhering to safety practices. If you are looking to begin a challenging and highly rewarding career in nursing, MWCC is here to help you start your community college nursing program. With a Nursing degree from MWCC, you will be trained to think critically and solve problems while refining your healthcare skills to better the lives of your patients.
With our Nursing degree, you will be trained to think critically and solve problems while refining your healthcare skills. Each of these skills will equip you to help better the lives of your patients. At MWCC, students can choose one of three community college nursing programs in Massachusetts.
The first is MWCC’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). MWCC’s associate degree in nursing in Massachusetts is perfect for students who have not previously studied nursing. This two-year nursing program prepares students for the national exam to become Registered Nurses (RNs).
The second is our Practical Nursing (PN) program. This one-year certificate program prepares students for the national exam to become licensed PNs (LPNs). Prior healthcare experience is not required, but many certified nursing assistants (CNAs) choose this program to help advance their careers.
Finally, our Advance Standing bridge program is what it sounds like — a bridge between the PN program and the ADN program. It provides LPNs with a curriculum to earn their ADN and become RNs.
No matter which program you choose, you will learn in a motivating environment that encourages enthusiasm and pride in the nursing profession. Your nursing education will include classroom, lab and clinical components — on-campus and off-campus — at partnering healthcare organizations.
Please note that the Nursing degree is a selective program and requires additional application components. Many students begin at MWCC in the Allied Health major before applying to a selective nursing program.
Types of Nursing Degrees and Programs at MWCC
Get in-depth information on our community college nursing programs in Massachusetts so you can choose the most appropriate one.
1. Associate Degree in Nursing
MWCC has one of the best ADN programs in Massachusetts. During this two-year program, you will learn the fundamental topics each RN needs to succeed in their career.
Our Nursing Degree includes general courses in psychology, sociology and writing. Students will also have to complete a prerequisite semester to take courses like Statistics and Concepts in Biology, helping prepare them for a rich learning experience. A few of the core classes for this degree include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Microbiology
- Foundations of Nursing
- Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Psychiatric Nursing
Courses for the Nursing Degree will total around 76 credits.
The ADN program is particularly beneficial for students who want to enter the workplace quickly. Students can also use the ADN program to further their nursing studies at a college or university — completing a relevant four-year bachelor’s degree.
2. Practical Nursing
Our PN — or LPN — program is a one-year certificate program that helps prepare students to become LPNs. It is the perfect choice for CNAs, those looking for a new career or those who want to advance their healthcare careers.
In the span of a year, you will learn key topics such as:
- Fundamentals of Practical Nursing
- Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology
- Maternal Child Nursing
- Human Growth And Development
- Contemporary Nursing for the Practical Nurse
The degree comprises around 46 credits. Moreover, with a good understanding of PN fundamentals, you will be well-prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN) to earn your PN license.
Prospective students must pass the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) examination before applying for this program.
3. Advance Standing Bridge Option
MWCC also offers LPN to RN bridge programs in MA. Our Advanced Standing Bridge Option (NUP) is for LPNs with at least six months of experience who are already working in the nursing field.
Simply put, it is the bridge between our PN and ADN programs. LPNs can use our ADN program’s curriculum — from Anatomy and Physiology to Medical-Surgical Nursing — to become official RNs. MWCC students will also have NUR 116 — LPN to RN Transitions — which also counts toward the 76 to 77 college credits.
You can jump on the fast track to earn your associate degree to become an RN. Your experience may permit you to begin your education with more advanced coursework and earn credits for introductory courses without taking them.
Health Profession Compliance Overview
Watch this video if you are considering enrolling in a health science major or course.
Earn Your Registration With the NCLEX
By the end of your program, you will be well prepared to take the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Once passed, you will be officially registered as an RN. MWCC nursing graduates have historically achieved a high passing rate on the NCLEX-RN and have been successful in finding jobs.
Gain Hands-On Experience in Nursing Care
In the NUR 220 — Medical-Surgical Nursing, Part I — and NUR 222 — Medical-Surgical Nursing Part II — courses, you will get to work hands-on in a clinical setting. You will provide nursing care to groups of patients so you can refine and improve your hands-on skills while putting your theoretical knowledge into practice.
Be in Demand as a Registered Nurse
After you graduate, you can expect to find a job fast as an RN. The nursing field is projected to grow about 6% from 2023 to 2033 — which is much faster than the national average! The aging population and growing rates of chronic conditions will demand more healthcare services, which means thousands of nursing jobs will open up all over the country. You may even make over $86,000 annually as an RN.
Earn a Nursing Degree at Mount Wachusett Community College
MWCC is one of the best community colleges with nursing programs in Massachusetts. Our quality education, affordable tuition and student support services make studying at MWCC a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Moreover, our ADN program is beneficial in two ways. You can either use it as a quick entry into nursing practice or as a stepping stone to transfer to a four-year college or university to further your nursing studies.
Apply online today for one of our nursing programs, or send a request for further information!
The ADN and PN Nursing programs are approved by the Massachusetts Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The ACEN can be contacted at 404-975-5000, or at their web address, or at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, Georgia 30326.