LPN Programs in Massachusetts

LPN Programs in Massachusetts

By EveryNurse Staff on January 13, 2023

LPN Programs in Massachusetts

Licensed practical nurses are expected to undergo an accredited training program that combines classroom learning with supervised clinical experience before assuming a position within the healthcare field. Upon completion of an LPN program in Massachusetts, graduates may apply for in-state jobs in workplace settings that include hospitals and nursing homes. During his or her certificate or diploma program, a student will learn about medical terminology, nutrition, patient education, recording patient information, and the ins and outs of the human body and its primary functions.

Schools With LPN Programs in Massachusetts

  • Northern Essex Community College, located in the city of Lawrence, offers a Practical Nursing program that ends with the receipt of a certificate that makes a graduate eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam in order to gain licensure. The program combines classroom instruction, laboratory work, and clinical experiences that help shape tomorrow’s licensed practical nurses. Completed within three semesters worth of work, a student will encounter courses such as Anatomy and Physiology; Lifespan Psychology; and Issues and Trends in Practical Nursing. The program is also approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc.
  • The Practical Nurse program (PNP) at Assabet Valley Regional Technical School prepares graduates to take the NCLEX-PN exam to gain licensure as an LPN. As a full-time student, classes run from 7:50 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. over the course of 40 weeks. The program starts in late August and continues on until the middle of June. Upon completion of the curriculum, graduates receive a certificate of proficiency in Practical Nursing from a program that has full approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc. (ACEN).
  • In preparation for a career in nursing, students may choose to study at Greenfield Community College (GCC) through the school’s Practical Nursing Certificate Program. The 43-credit curriculum is comprised of liberal arts and clinical nursing classes that take place over the course of 40 weeks. Some of the courses that a student may encounter includes Fundamentals in Practical Nursing; Principles in Phycology; and Human Growth and Development. The GCC program beings in September, and finishes off by the end of June.
  • Students in the LPN program at Holyoke Community College work towards earning a certificate in Practical Nursing that deems them eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN licensure exam. A student must complete 44 credits of work before graduating from the program, which includes courses such as Introduction to Nutrition; Human Development; and Health Promotion and Maintenance Across the Lifespan. The year-long program is approved by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC).
  • Porter and Chester Institute (PCI) offers an LPN program that is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), and offers campus locations found in Canton, Chicopee, Westborough, and Woburn. With a combination of hands-on skill building, laboratory experience, and classroom instruction, students are prepared to understand and thrive in a variety of healthcare settings, including those that involve pediatric nursing, psychiatric nursing, adult and geriatric nursing. Practical Nursing class days for the program are held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with clinical days scheduled from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • In Framington, students in the LPN program offered at Massachusetts Bay Community College work towards earning a Certificate in Practical Nursing. Both the day and evening program options consist of a curriculum of 49 credits worth of study. During the first semester, students will take courses such as Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology with Lab, Elements of Microbiology, Essentials of Nutrition, and Foundations of Practical Nursing. The second semester includes coursework that touches upon pharmacology, psychology, and trends in nursing.
  • Bunker Hill Community College has a ten-month LPN program that only accommodates full-time students who can take courses 4 to 5 days per week for 5 to 6 hours per day. Unlike other programs, students start clinical learning experiences within their first semester, which continue throughout the bulk of the overall program. In order to gain credit for all practical nursing courses, a student must earn a numerical grade of 78 or higher, and a grade of ‘C’ or higher in all science courses.

Level Up Your Career

Massachusetts LPN Checklist

  • Apply to a state-approved LPN program; and complete required pre-requisites before taking nursing core classes – all of which typically takes at least one year to complete.
  • After getting a certificate in practical nursing, register online or over the telephone to take the National Council Licensure Examination for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN) in Massachusetts.
  • Gain licensure as an LPN by submitting an application to the Massachusetts Board of Nursing, and paying the initial ~$230 fee.
  • Renew LPN license every two years.
  • Fulfill continuing education requirements for the state of Massachusetts, which are 15 contact hours for every renewal period.

Massachusetts Salary & Job Outlook

Upon gaining licensure as an LPN, graduates of an accredited program can apply to a range of entry-level positions found in hospitals, nursing homes, physician offices, and even, at local schools – all of which offer varying levels of income. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports the median salary for licensed practical nurses employed in the state of Massachusetts as $52,060. The BLS also identifies Massachusetts as one of the top five highest-paying states in the United States for this healthcare-related occupation.

Additional Massachusetts Program Rankings

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