11 Best LPN-to-RN Programs in Massachusetts – (Online & Campus-Based)

Written By: Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA

If you’re an LPN in the Bay State who’s interested in taking on more professional responsibilities, LPN-to-RN programs in Massachusetts can help you fulfill your dream. Associate programs in nursing use the clinical knowledge you already have as a foundation to teach you critical thinking, patient assessment, and evidence-based practice skills that can qualify you to work in specialty units. As a registered nurse, you’ll be paid $104,150 a year on average, an increase of 53 percent over the LPN average salary in the Bay State, which is $68,170 a year. Demand for your services as a registered nurse will increase by 12 percent over the coming decade. Learn more with this guide to the 11 best LPN-to-RN programs in Massachusetts.

WHAT ARE THE BEST LPN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN MASSACHUSETTS (ONLINE AND CAMPUS-BASED)?

Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 11 best campus-based and online LPN-to-RN programs in Massachusetts.

1. Laboure College of Healthcare - Milton

Program Details: If you are a licensed practical nurse considering becoming a registered nurse in Massachusetts, Laboure College of Healthcare has an excellent nursing program worth considering. The LPN-to-RN program awards an Associate of Science in Nursing degree upon completion. This accelerated program can be completed in as little as one year with full-time enrollment. However, because many students need to balance work and family commitments with school, there is a part-time option available.

This LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts utilizes several evidence-based teaching modalities, including classroom lectures, group projects, eLearning resources, skills laboratory and nursing simulation sessions, and clinical practicum experiences. To earn the Associate of Science in Nursing degree, you must complete 71 total credits. Students in the LPN-to-RN program may receive up to 17 credits by examination, which means you may need only 54 credits to complete the degree.

The curriculum includes classes in Advanced Health & Illness concepts, Microbiology for Healthcare Professionals, Human Growth & Behavior, and Advanced Anatomy & Physiology. Your theoretical education will be enforced through clinical practicums at various acute care healthcare facilities. Each professional nursing course is complemented by 12 to 15 hours of lab or clinical time weekly.

Why Choose This Program

• One factor I encourage prospective students to consider when considering LPN-to-RN programs in Massachusetts is the type of clinical opportunities you will have in the program. Something I like about Laboure College of Healthcare is that the program has excellent clinical affiliations through which students in the LPN-to-RN program will gain experience while preparing for role transition. Some of the school’s clinical partners include Saint Anne’s Hospital, The Boston Home, Boston Medical Center, Beth Israel Lahey Hospital, and The Institute at Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program.
• The college reports excellent job placement rates among graduates. Among those responding to post-graduate surveys, most report being employed as registered nurses within six months of completing the program and passing the NCLEX-RN.

2. Mount Wachusett Community College - Gardner

Program Details: Mount Wachusett Community College offers an outstanding LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts. The program offers a bridge opportunity for licensed practical nurses to transition from a career in practical nursing to earn an associate degree in nursing and become registered nurses. The program blends classroom learning with experiences in simulation labs and clinical practicums.

To earn the associate degree in nursing at Mount Wachusett Community College, you must complete between 73 and 77 credits, including prerequisites. Upon completion of the Nursing Fundamentals competency exam, you will be awarded seven credits for prior learning, which are applied to the total required credits. The program includes a minimum of 700 supervised clinical practicum hours at various healthcare facilities.

Why Choose This Program

• At Mount Wachusett Community College, you will learn from program faculty who are educated at master’s or doctoral levels and who have several decades of combined experience. Their diverse clinical backgrounds allow them to bring invaluable insight to the classroom and clinicals, where they will guide you on your path to earning your degree and becoming an RN.
• One factor I believe is important to know before choosing to enroll in a nursing program is how well graduates perform on licensing exams. If a school has a history of high NCLEX pass rates, that is a good indication that the program is strong. Graduates of Mount Wachusett Community College consistently exceed both state and national pass rates on the NCLEX-RN, which means it is an excellent choice for a school to earn your degree.

3. Bristol Community College - Fall River

Program Details: Bristol Community College is home to an excellent LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts. The program offers two pathways for licensed practical nurses: the LPN-to-RN Bridge Pathway and the LPN-to-RN Challenge Pathway.

The LPN-to-RN Bridge Pathway is designed for licensed practical nurses who have graduated from an LPN program that has an articulation agreement with Bristol Community College within three years of priority admission. Students accepted into this pathway must complete the LPN-to-RN Transition Course co-requisites and a summer Transition Course that consists of a mixture of content review, laboratory skills, case studies, dosage calculations, simulation, and patient assessments. Upon completion of the Transition Course, you will be awarded 16 credits for prior learning. At that point, you will be eligible to enroll in the third semester of the traditional associate degree nursing program.

The LPN-to-RN Challenge Pathway is designed for licensed practical nurses who have graduated from an accredited LPN program three years ago or longer or any LPN who does not meet the LPN-to-RN Bridge Pathway criteria. This pathway requires students to complete the Fundamentals Challenge Course, which is offered in the Winter session. Upon completion of the Challenge course, you may enter the second semester of the associate degree nursing program.

All students must complete at least 69 credits to earn an associate degree in nursing. The total credits you must enroll to take will be determined by the path to which you are accepted. Each clinical course includes clinical practicum hours, which are completed at local affiliate clinical sites. Students typically participate in 12 to 15 hours of clinical practicum each week. Clinicals are arranged by program faculty and supervised by either faculty or approved RN preceptors.

Why Choose This Program

• Bristol Community College is ranked as one of the best nursing schools in Massachusetts. The program has been ranked by indicators such as academic quality, NCLEX-RN pass rates, affordability, and student preparedness, all of which are important things to consider when choosing a nursing school.
• Another factor prospective students deem as a deciding factor when choosing a degree program or school is affordability. Bristol Community College is known for offering a high-quality education at an affordable rate, making it easier to turn your dream of becoming a registered nurse into a reality.

4. Cape Cod Community College - West Barnstable

Program Details: Cape Cod Community College is home to one of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Massachusetts. LPNs admitted to the program complete two courses during the summer following their acceptance and then matriculate into the associate degree nursing program as sophomores in the following fall semester.

To earn the Associate of Science in Nursing degree at Cape Cod Community College, you must accomplish 68 credits. After successfully completing the Health Assessment course in the summer, you will be awarded 16 credits toward the total needed to earn the degree. 13 credits are awarded for prior learning for having an unencumbered LPN license and three for completion of the Health Assessment course.

This LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts features in-person didactic instructions on campus combined with laboratory experiences and off-site clinical practicums. Each clinical course has required corresponding clinical practicum hours. Students in the program complete approximately 700 clinical hours.

Why Choose This Program

• Cape Cod Community College offers extensive support to students in the LPN-to-RN program. From the time you begin the program, you will work with a dedicated advisor who will encourage and support you to help you stay on track and reach your goals. Your advisor will be your “go-to” person for all your needs while enrolled. The college also offers personalized support from coaches and mentors and tutoring services.
• As a nurse educator, I believe laboratory and simulation learning are an essential part of nursing education. At Cape Cod Community College, you will have learning opportunities in the school's high-tech nursing simulation center, where you can practice and refine essential nursing skills in a safe, controlled environment. The simulation center features state-of-the-art simulation rooms, hospital beds, high-fidelity mannequins, and spaces for conducting physical examinations.

5. Holyoke Community College - Holyoke

Program Details: Another excellent LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts can be found at Holyoke Community College. The program has two entry pathways: The 1+1 ASN Pathway, which is designed for HCC practical nursing graduates who are licensed practical nurses with at least six months of work experience, and the LPN2RN ASN Pathway, which is designed for LPNs who earned the practical nursing credential from another institution and who have been employed as an LPN for at least six months.

The LPN-to-RN program at HCC awards an Associate of Science in Nursing degree upon completion. The program features in-person learning in the school's state-of-the-art Center for Health Education, high-fidelity simulation labs, and multimedia-equipped classrooms. Students need a total of 70 credits to earn the ASN. However, licensed practical nurses with a HESI score of 850 or higher receive 20 credits for prior learning. Additionally, you may transfer up to 30 credits with approval from the Program Director.

Why Choose This Program

• One of my favorite things about nursing is that it is a profession that allows continuous growth and development. In fact, to succeed, nurses must adopt an attitude of continuous learning and apply new thoughts and methods to patient care. One thing I like about Holyoke Community College is the school supports continuous learning by offering opportunities for students to continue their education after completing the LPN-to-RN program. HCC has transfer agreements with several four-year accredited colleges and universities where you can earn your BSN or an advanced degree in nursing.
• Holyoke Community College's LPN-to-RN program boasts a dynamic faculty that consists of skilled teachers, practitioners, and mentors. The nursing faculty's knowledge and years of experience, coupled with a genuine desire for your success, will be instrumental in guiding you as you transition your career from the role of a licensed practical nurse to a registered nurse.

6. Greenfield Community College - Greenfield

Program Details: The LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts at Greenfield Community College is another outstanding option for licensed practical nurses who are ready to transition their careers and become registered nurses! There are two advanced placement options for LPNs. LPNs can enter the second semester of the first year of the ADN program or the first semester of the second year of the program, depending on which classes they take prior to enrollment.

The ADN program is a 70-credit pathway featuring classes, including Mental Health Nursing, Microbiology, Medical-Surgical Nursing, and Professional Nursing & the Nursing Process. Depending on which placement option you are approved for, you may receive advanced placement credit for up to 36 credits.

The program also incorporates eight to twelve hours of clinicals each week. Clinicals take place at various healthcare sites such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, physicians’ offices, community health centers, and mental health facilities. All clinicals are supervised by program faculty.

Why Choose This Program

• If you find a school that has a long history of nursing education and success, you can feel confident about the quality of the program, and Greenfield Community College has educated nursing students since 1963. The college was the first in the state to offer an associate degree nursing program and an LPN-to-RN program.
• The LPN-to-RN program at Greenfield Community College is taught by dedicated faculty, each bringing several years of clinical experience from diverse backgrounds to the classroom. Their commitment to nursing education and excellence is evidenced by positive student reviews and excellent student success rates during the program and following graduation!

7. Lawrence Memorial/Regis College - Medford

Program Details: Lawrence Memorial/Regis College offers another great option for licensed practical nurses seeking LPN-to-RN programs in Massachusetts. LPNs who meet advanced placement requirements enter the second year of the traditional associate degree nursing program and can complete their degree in one year. The LPN-to-RN program is a campus-based program that includes laboratory and simulation skills and various off-site clinical experiences.

Once accepted into the nursing program, you have the option of taking a theory exam and a clinical skills exam to validate your eligibility for advanced standing in the associate degree nursing program. When you pass those exams, you have the option to skip two courses: Foundations of Nursing Practice and Adult Nursing Practice.

The program is a 73-total-credit pathway, including advanced standing credits you may receive. The rich curriculum includes classes such as Family-Focused Nursing Practice, Concepts & Challenges for Professional Practice, and Nursing Ethics. The program also includes 600 clinical practicum hours to ensure you have adequate opportunities to learn advanced nursing skills relevant to your future role as a registered nurse.

Why Choose This Program

• The LPN-to-RN program at Lawrence Memorial/Regis College reports high retention and completion rates. This is an important factor to consider when choosing a nursing program because it usually indicates student satisfaction and good program quality.
• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program at Lawrence Memorial/Regis College have excellent employment rates following completion of the program. On average, graduates who respond to post-graduation surveys report finding full-time employment in the field as an RN within six months of completing the program.

8. Berkshire Community College - Pittsfield

Program Details: The LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts at Berkshire Community College is a campus-based program that offers admission opportunities in the fall and spring of each academic year. The program is presented with a sequence of lectures, skills, laboratory and clinical courses, and clinical practicum experiences.

As an LPN, you can file an Intent to Bridge Form requesting advanced standing in the associate degree program. If you graduated from a practical nursing program and took the NCLEX-PN within one year of the application exam, you are not required to take a challenge exam. Candidates whose LPN license was issued greater than one year before the application exam must pass a standardized Challenge Exam, the Standardized Theoretical Test, to be approved for admission.

Students in the LPN-to-RN program complete a total of 71 credits. The curriculum includes an LPN-to-RN Bridge course, 19 general education prerequisite credits, and 52 nursing credits. Up to 19 advanced standing credits may be awarded by passing the HESI Challenge Exam or NCLEX-PN and by taking the LPN-to-RN Bridge course.

The nursing plan of study includes four clinical courses which are complemented by clinical practicum experiences. You will have opportunities to provide hands-on patient care to patients in various settings, including acute and long-term care facilities, surgery centers, hospitals, and public health settings.

Why Choose This Program

• Berkshire Community College LPN-to-RN program graduates have an excellent record of first-time pass rates on the NCLEX-RN. I always encourage prospective students to consider NCLEX pass rates when choosing a nursing program, as they can give you an idea of how well the program prepares students for the licensing exam and for clinical practice.
• The nursing program at Berkshire Community College is well-regarded among healthcare professionals and employers in the community. Among surveyed employers, many respond by reporting high satisfaction with nurses they have hired who graduated from the LPN-to-RN program at BCC. This is something positive to consider, as healthcare employers share a broad professional network. Therefore, if one employer is happy with the quality of a program and the caliber of nurses that are produced, they are likely to recommend hiring other graduates of the same program to other prospective employers.

9. North Shore Community College - Danvers

Program Details: The advanced placement LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts at North Shore Community College is a full-time day program. Candidates must complete a one-credit summer course, Transition to the Role of the Professional Nurse, which is offered in the summer. After completing that course, LPN-to-RN students begin a full-time course of study in the fall and graduate in one year.

The LPN-to-RN program combines didactic, laboratory, simulation, and clinical practice experiences designed to prepare you to transition from the role of a licensed practical nurse to a registered nurse. The program is formatted for on-campus learning and includes campus-based laboratory simulations and clinical practicums at off-site facilities. The curriculum is designed as a 72-credit pathway. You will study in classes, including The Registered Nurse in Contemporary Society, Pharmacology & the Role of the Registered Nurse, and Transition to the Role of the Professional Nurse.

Why Choose This Program

• One of the biggest challenges prospective students face when deciding whether to return to school to earn a new degree is the program cost. While there are many resources for both state and federal financial aid, as well as scholarship and grant opportunities, some people are not eligible. What I love about Northshore Community College is that all students without a bachelor’s degree who attend the college can do so for free! There is no tuition and no fees. Additionally, the program includes an allowance for books and supplies for eligible students.
• Northside Community College is committed to your success in the LPN-to-RN program and after graduation. The school has dedicated academic and faculty advisors to assist you throughout the program. Additionally, they provide career readiness and professional networking opportunities to help you prepare for employment following completion of the program.

10. Massasoit Community College - Brockton

Program Details: Massasoit Community College is home to another featured LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts. The program is available with the option to enroll part-time or full-time, making it easier to choose a schedule that fits your current lifestyle and needs. Students who enroll part-time typically take six semesters to complete the program, while full-time students typically graduate in four semesters.

The LPN-to-RN program features a 65-credit curriculum. LPNs who meet eligibility requirements, including completing the required first-year prerequisite courses, may receive advanced placement in the traditional associate degree nursing program, exempting them from some nursing courses. Nursing courses have both a theory and clinical component, providing diverse opportunities to apply classroom learning to real-world patient care in a variety of settings. Clinical practicums are arranged by program faculty and supervised either by faculty or approved preceptors.

Why Choose This Program

• Massasoit Community College is one of the schools that offers an LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts that qualifying students can take free of charge! MCC participates in the MassEducate and MassReconnect programs, which allow state residents who have not earned a bachelor’s degree to attend the college for free!
• Massasoit Community College's LPN-to-RN program boasts several accolades, including highly successful and dedicated faculty, high retention and graduation rates, excellent NCLEX-RN pass rates, and high employment rates among program graduates.

11. Middlesex Community College - Lowell

Program Details: Middlesex Community College offers one of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Massachusetts. The nursing program is offered as a day option or an evening/weekend option, giving students the flexibility to choose a schedule that works around their lives and other obligations. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with new cohorts beginning each spring and fall semester.

The LPN-to-RN program offers advanced placement in the associate degree nursing program to eligible Licensed practical nurses on a space-available basis. There are two pathways to admission based on whether you graduated from a practical nursing program that has an articulation agreement with Middlesex Community College. Based on your practical nursing transcript, you may receive credit for some nursing courses. All candidates must pass a 15-hour Nursing Transition Seminar before an official offer of admission is extended.

This associate degree nursing program at Middlesex Community College features a 69-credit curriculum. However, the actual number of credits you are required to complete will depend on which advanced placement option you qualify for upon admission. The curriculum includes classes such as Intergenerational Nursing, Nursing Care of the Adult, Nursing Issues, Psychology, and Nursing Fundamentals. The curriculum also includes four clinical courses with corresponding clinical practicum experiences. Your clinicals will consist of opportunities to care for patients in hospitals, mental health facilities, transitional care, community health settings, long-term care, and physicians’ offices.

Why Choose This Program

• One of the main attractions of the LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts at Middlesex Community College is the new Health Education and Laboratory Technology Hub (H.E.A.L.TH.). The center, which was funded by a Massachusetts Skills Capital Grant and a Nursing Expansion Grant features totaling $975,000, features state-of-the-art nursing simulation and laboratory spaces.
• Middlesex Community College reports high student satisfaction rates, as evidenced by student satisfaction surveys submitted by both current and former students of the LPN-to-RN program. As a healthcare educator and someone who was once responsible for sending and following up on student satisfaction surveys, I can tell you these survey results are vital. Schools rely upon student satisfaction surveys to secure certain types of funding, which helps to facilitate better programs and opportunities for students. Therefore, when you find a school that has good student satisfaction scores, that is a good indicator that they are doing things right!


VIEW OUR RANKING METHODOLOGY

Wondering About LPN-To-RN Programs In The State Of Massachusetts? Darby Faubion Offers Her Advice To Interested Students

As a nurse and healthcare educator, I encourage all nurses to continue learning and growing. Deciding to further your education to become a registered nurse is an excellent career goal! Choosing to pursue your dream by enrolling in an LPN-to-RN program in Massachusetts is a good option for several reasons. The state has an excellent educational infrastructure and high healthcare education standards. The accredited LPN-to-RN programs featured in this article each offer awesome opportunities for personal and professional growth and development.

As you research programs and begin to narrow the list of schools you may want to attend, keep in mind what matters most to you. For example, do you need flexible scheduling? Can you attend school full-time, or is a part-time program better for you? Do you need to live on campus, or is it okay to commute to school? How will you pay for your degree program? These may seem like simple questions, and they are, but they can make a big difference when it comes to choosing a school to attend. Take your time to ask questions and get answers. Remember, the only bad question is the one you don’t ask! Most of all, if you want this bad enough, you can do it!!

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