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RN Programs in Maryland

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If you want to become a nurse in Maryland, we have all the information you need, including RN programs in Maryland and a list of nursing schools in Maryland and the programs they offer.

RN programs in Maryland

In Maryland, there are 3 types of ​post secondary education nursing programs – as approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing:

Practical Nursing
Associate Degree
Baccalaureate Degree

Each of these programs have specific educational requirements and exams you must take to be licensed to practice. Here are details of each program, including what certification you can get once you complete the requirements:

"RN programs in Maryland"

Practical Nursing

LPN programs typically take one year to complete after the successful completion of one of year of prerequisite courses. A graduate of the practical nursing program is eligible for licensure as an LPN. An LPN is prepared to function as a direct caregiver under the supervision of other licensed health professionals primarily in structured settings such as hospitals, nursing homes and chronic care facilities. Community college graduates may transfer some or all of their academic credits to any Maryland associate degree nursing program. The curriculum generally includes foundational science content and nursing courses with an emphasis on the clinical practice of skills learned in the classroom setting. Supervised clinical practice takes place in hospitals and long term care facilities. Observational experiences are provided in other settings. These programs have approximately 40-46 credits.

The following Community Colleges offer LPN Programs in the state of Maryland:

​​Allegany College of Maryland ​Hagerstown Community College
​Anne Arundel Community College ​Harford Community College
​Baltimore City Co​mmunity College ​Howard Community College
​​Carroll Community College​ ​Prince Georges Community College
​Cecil Community College ​Wor-Wic Community College
​Community College of Baltimore County – Dundalk​ ​Frederick Community College

Associate Degree

The associate degree program in nursing can be completed in three years and include course work in general education and in nursing. Graduates are eligible to take the registered nurse licensing examination. The associate degree RNs are prepared to function as care givers in a variety of settings, and to work with other professional nurses and members of the health care team in planning and implementing comprehensive health care. Graduates of these programs are eligible to transfer academic credits to a baccalaureate completion program for RNs. Applicants for the associate degree in nursing must meet the entrance requirements of the community college as well as those of the nursing program. Many community college nursing programs require 5 to 6 semesters to complete the sequence of study. The curriculum includes a total of 65-70 credits with approximately half in the sciences and humanities and half in the nursing major. A typical curriculum might include:
​Credits​​​ ​
​Anatomy & Physiology ​8
​English ​3-6
​Human Growth & Development ​3
​Mathematics ​3
​Microbiology ​3
​Psychology ​3-6
​Sociology ​3
​Nursing ​35-40

The following colleges offer the Associate Degree Program in Nursing:

​Associate Degree
Allegany College of Maryland​ ​​Anne Arund​el Community College​
​​Baltimore City Community College ​​Carroll Community College​
​Cecil Community College ​​College of Southern Maryland
​Chesapeake College ​Community College of Baltimore County
​Frederick Community College ​Hagerstown Community College
​Harford Community College ​Howard Community College
​Montgomery College ​​Prince George’s Community College
​Wor-Wic Community College​

Baccalaureate Degree

This programs are typically four years in length and graduates receive a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree or a bachelor of science (BS) degree with a major in nursing. Graduates are eligible to take the registered nurse licensing examination. The graduates of these programs are prepared to provide care to individuals, families and communities in wellness and illness settings providing comprehensive health services. They are prepared to assume positions of leadership and responsibility in a variety of practice settings, and to enter graduate school for specialized study.
Applicants for bachelor degree program the must meet the entrance requirements of the college or university as well as those of the nursing program. The baccalaureate degree program graduates are prepared for graduate study (masters degree) with a specialization in a variety of nursing disciplines.
The program of study usually consists of the first two years in general education courses concentrated in the humanities, social and physical sciences. The last two years build upon this broad general education base, offering courses in both nursing theory and clinical practice. Supervised clinical practice occurs in hospitals, clinics, community health agencies, and other health care delivery areas. Professional issues and beginning research techniques are also part of the curriculum. A typical curriculum might include:
Credits​​​ ​
​Liberal Arts (e.g. Englsh, Art) 14-37​
​Life Sciences (e.g. Anatomy Physiology) ​12-19
​Physical Sciences (e.g. Chemistry) ​8
​Social Sciences (e.g. Pschology, Sociology) ​9-16
​Electives ​5-21
​Nursing ​44-57

The following Institutions offer Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing:

​Baccalaureate Degree
​Bowie State University ​Coppin State University​
​Johns Hopkins University ​Morgan State University
​​​Notre Dame of Maryland University ​​Salisbury University
Hood College ​​Stevenson University
​​​Towson University ​​University of Maryland, Baltimore​
​​​Washington Adventist University Universidad del Turabo – Capital Area Campus​

Baccalaureate Degree Completion Program (for RNs only)

These programs are open to all registered nurses who wish to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. These programs are approximately two years in length and are provided at the senior college or university setting or online through the college or university. The graduates of these programs are prepared for the same role as the graduates of a baccalaureate program (described above) and for specialized study in graduate school.​
The following institutions offer programs in BSN Completion:
BSN Completion
​All of the Baccalaureate Degree Programs and​ ​
Notre Dame of Maryland University​ 1 ​Hood College 1
​Frostburg State University ​
​University of Maryland University College 1, 2


1 BS completion for RNs.
2 Does ​not have a basic undergraduate nursing program.

As you can see, there is a wide range of RN programs in Maryland to choose from. It’s best to visit each institution and to better understand what they have to offer and why their program is unique.

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