Best Associate Degree in Nursing Program in Massachusetts

The search for the best nursing programs or any program for that matter, always poses a difficulty. We have published a list of the best associate degree in nursing programs in Massachusetts to help make this search less cumbersome.

The road to being a professional nurse involves dedication to learning and the ability to apply the things you have learned to your career. The field of nursing is a very critical and important field as it involves saving lives. Nurses are usually the first point of contact for patients so their roles are as important as that of the doctors.

The field of nursing requires constant learning; some you learn on the job, and others, you learn by pursuing advanced degrees like the ADN and BSN. This article seeks to help nursing students in their search for the best associate degree in nursing programs in Massachusetts.

This article was curated with consideration to certain factors which include cost, quality of education, and accreditation status of each school listed. If you are interested in this program, peruse our list of the best associate degree in nursing programs in Massachusetts.

North Shore Community College located in Danvers, is a non-profit, two-year college that provides affordable pathways to higher education.

This college offers an Associate in Science program that is designed for matriculation at Salem State University. Students who complete the Nurse Education Program at this college are eligible for transfer to Salem State University to earn a BSN degree. they can transfer up to 30 upper-level nursing credits.

The program is offered in two options; the LPN to RN and the Nurse Education option. The LPN to RN option is designed for LPNS who graduated from a Practical School of Nursing. This program is offered full-time.

North Shore Community College also offers a practical nursing program, that typically takes 10 months to complete. This practical nursing certificate program prepares students for the National Council Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

The program also trains students and provides them with the necessary education for roles as LPNs.

In addition to the other offerings mentioned above this college offers a nurse Assistant/Home Health Aide Certification Training. This training program provides students with dual certification as a Home Health Aide and Nurse Assistant. The program features on-campus classroom hours and nursing home clinical experiences.

North Shore Community College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and this program has approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing and is also accredited by ACEN with a Continuing Accreditation.

Middlesex Community College is a public institution that operates campuses in Bedford and Lowell.  This college boasts an average class size of 18 and also offers an affordable path of education and prepares a diverse community for lifelong learning.

MCC offers an Associate in Science that has approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing. This program is designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam and is available in two options; Day and Evening/Weekend.

The school offers an Advanced Placement program which is offered for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) this allows them to request credit for prior learning and transfer it to the ASN degree. There are about two options offered; Option I for all LPNs which requires completion of certain courses prior to admission, and Option II for LPN program graduates in institutions with an articulation agreement with MCC.

Middlesex Community College is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. and the nursing program is accredited by ACEN.

4. Quinsigamond Community College

Quinsigamond Community College is a public college that operates campuses in Worcester, Marlborough, and Southbridge. QCC offers a Nurse Education Program that is MABORN-approved and ACEN-accredited.

The Nursing Education Department places value on creative, interactive, and active learning processes, with a progression from simple to complex education. Graduates of this associate program upon obtaining a license can work in Massachusetts; however, some states do not accept a Massachusetts license.

5. Bristol Community College 

Bristol Community College located in Fall River, MA operates campuses in Attleboro, Fall River, New Bedford, and Taunton. The school’s nursing program places emphasis on one-on-one advising and tutoring, the college has smaller class sizes.

Bristol Community College offers a two-year ADN program accredited by ACEN, the program has two different curriculum delivery options. Students choose the traditional education experience through face-to-face classroom learning or choose the EHealth option. The EHealth option is a hybrid format that combines face-to-face classroom learning with online components.

Bristol Community College offers an Associate of Science program in Nursing that is structured to prepare students for entry-level roles as staff nurses in various healthcare settings. This program has approval from the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.

This program’s curriculum places emphasis on active learning and flipped learning pedagogical approach. The school provides two methods of delivery; traditional face-to-face classroom learning, and eHealth, a hybrid model with online classroom instruction.

Both delivery options include clinical assignments are included. Graduates are eligible to sit in the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.

The program is also accredited by the ACEN with Continuing Accreditation as the most recent accreditation. Bristol Community College is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of New England.