Becoming a nurse is one of the best routes to enter the healthcare field. If you are based in Massachusetts and want to become a healthcare professional to impact your community positively, you can become a registered nurse (RN) or licensed practical nurse (LPN) in Massachusetts. Considering the nationwide shortage of nurses, it is the perfect time to become a nurse.
Both career paths offer a great way to enter into healthcare. However, it is essential to understand the nursing board requirements in Massachusetts to practice as a nurse there. The Massachusetts Board of Nursing has specific criteria for potential nurses to fulfill so they can qualify for the state license to become an RN or LPN in the state.
How to Become a Registered Nurse in Massachusetts
To become an RN in Massachusetts, you must complete several years of specialized education and training, then apply for state licensure via examination to become a registered nurse. After becoming an RN, you must also complete a required number of contact hours through nursing continuing education courses to renew your license.
Obtaining an ADN or BSN
To qualify as a registered nurse in Massachusetts, you must first earn a degree from an accredited nursing program approved by the Massachusetts Board of Nursing. To become a registered nurse, your pre-licensure education requirements demand at least a two-year Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a four-year degree in Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
While it is possible to apply for state licensure after earning an ADN, you should consider pursuing the BSN degree. With a four-year degree, you get more in-depth training and education. The better qualified you are, the likelier employers will consider you for a higher-paying position.
Whichever path you choose, you must ensure you get your pre-licensure nursing education through a program approved by the Massachusetts Board of Nursing. You can find a complete list of programs approved by the state’s nursing board through its official website here.
Apply for the License to Become a Registered Nurse
After earning your pre-licensure nursing degree, you can apply for the license to become a registered nurse in Massachusetts via examination. You must successfully pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. Also called the NCLEX-RN, this examination qualifies you to receive a license to practice as a registered nurse.
To apply for your state license to become a registered nurse in Massachusetts, you must visit the state board’s website here and register with Pearson VUE to sit for the NCLEX-RN here. Follow the instructions shared with you to complete the registration for the NCLEX-RN, sit for it, and pass the exam to get your license.
Obtain Your License to Become a Registered Nurse
Once you pass the NCLEX-RN, the Massachusetts Board of Nursing will receive and review your documents to determine whether you qualify for a state license to become a registered nurse. It takes around 4-5 weeks for the state’s nursing board to review your documents and issue a license.
How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
To become a licensed practical nurse in Massachusetts, you do not need to complete an ADN or a BSN. Instead, you must complete a practical nursing program, obtain your degree, and apply for state licensure via examination.
Complete an Accredited Practical Nursing Program
If you have a high school diploma, you can apply to a state board-approved practical nursing program. A practical nursing program takes a shorter time to complete compared to an ADN or BSN. However, you must ensure that you earn a degree from a program approved by the Massachusetts Board of Nursing. You can find a complete list of practical nursing programs approved by the state’s nursing board through its official website here.
Apply for the License to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
After earning your degree through a pre-licensure practical nursing program, you can qualify to apply for a state license via examination. To become a licensed practical nurse in Massachusetts, you must successfully pass the National Council of Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses. Also called the NCLEX-PN, passing this exam will qualify you for state licensure to begin practicing as a licensed practical nurse in Massachusetts.
To apply for the license via examination, visit the state board’s official website here. You must also register with Pearson VUE to appear for the NCLEX-PN. After completing the registration, you must pass the NCLEX-PN for your state license.
Obtain Your License to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse
If you pass the NCLEX-PN, the Massachusetts Board of Nursing will automatically provide you with your permanent license after reviewing all your documents. The board typically takes 4-5 weeks to review and approve applications. However, the timeframe can differ based on your individual situation. It is essential to remember that you cannot start practicing as an LPN without receiving your state license.
Renew Your License After Becoming an RN or LPN
With new developments in the healthcare field, professionals are becoming increasingly better equipped to improve patient outcomes. As healthcare technology and best practices advance, professionals in the field must stay current with the latest developments. To ensure all nurses are caught up with the latest developments in healthcare, each state requires them to renew their licenses after two to three years. An essential part of license renewal is to complete a required number of contact hours via nursing continuing education courses.
Each state has its requirements for nursing continuing education for RNs and LPNs to renew their credentials. To continue practicing as an RN or LPN in the state, the Massachusetts Board of Nursing requires nurses to renew their license every two years. As part of the process, recertifying RNs and LPNs must complete 15 contact hours of nursing continuing education courses, with at least one hour on Chapter 260 requirements on Domestic Violence through the state’s nursing board. You can learn more about the nursing continuing education requirements for the Massachusetts Board of Nursing by visiting www.fastceforless.com/nursing-ce-massachusetts/.
If you already are a practicing RN or LPN and you need to renew your state license, online nursing CEUs like those offered by Fast CE For Less at www.fastceforless.com offer a quick, convenient, and affordable solution.
