According to the Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services, there are nearly 22,000 licensed LPNs in the state and 113,600 RNs. That may seem like an adequate number of nurses for such a small state, but a report by the Massachusetts Association of Colleges of Nursing predicts the state will have a 29 percent shortage of RNs by 2020. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics finds the demand for LPNs will increase by 21 percent by 2018. Most LPNs work in extended care, hospitals, and physician offices, while the career opportunities for RNs are much broader. Most organizations require RNs for home health care and community/public health. RNs can assume leadership roles not available to LPNs.
Major healthcare organizations around the nation are recommending that nurses continue to move along the continuum of educational preparation, i.e., nursing assistants to LPNs, LPNs to associate degree RNs, RNs to BSNs, and BSNs to advanced nurse practitioners. LPNs in Massachusetts have many such opportunities available to them. Loans, scholarships, and grants may be available to help pay the way. Employers may offer tuition reimbursement as well. In 2010, Massachusetts RNs earned an average of $84,986, well above the national mean.
Programs to Consider
Middlesex Community College (Lowell). LPNs may seek advanced placement for this Associate in Science program. The program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission. Classes are offered on either an evening/weekend option or a weekday option and include pharmacology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology.
Salem State College. Salem State offers an LPN to BSN program that allows LPNs to receive six advanced placement credits. The program starts with part-time evening classes and progresses to full-time days. Clinical courses can be taken days or evenings.
Springfield Technical Community College. Springfield offers LPNs an Associate of Science degree in nursing with eight hours of credits for LPNs with recent clinical experience. Admission is once yearly in the fall. A total of 70 credits over two years complete the degree requirements. The program is accredited by National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission.
