When I was in high school, my Literature Teacher once told us that we need to make art out of life.
I think we were all curious about that.
But she also added that life is both a mixture of ease and difficulty.
So, basically she warned us that when the second appears, this is the ideal time to use it and make something worth it.
Since then, I always thought about this saying.
And whenever I face a struggle, I try to switch my attention to the good.
This method applies to all things in life.
It applies to education in Registered Nursing in Maryland as well.
Without wanting to make it such a challenge, I would say that finding the right RN school in this state isn’t as hard as it seems.
Not when you use a good method to solve the matter.
So far, you have two important criteria in your head.
You have licensure and career advancement.
Once you combine them, success is yours.
Now, in order to find the right RN school, you should ask if the school offers one or the other.
If yes, you’ve found a treasure.
As you can see, these criteria work well with every US state.
This time, too, I have resolved the matter.
Meaning, I have made a close analysis of all RN programs in Maryland that offer an ASD in nursing, which are 25.
And as a result, I ended up with 10 top-rated ones in the list.
To recognize if the programs offer licensure and career advancement, both the current and historical NCLEX-RN exam passes were an object of my analysis.
The programs I checked were all ASN, ADN, MSN, and BSN programs.
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RN Industry in Maryland
When talking about Registered Nursing in Maryland, we need to see it from different angles.
And learning is definitely my favorite one to see through this profession.
I say it because of its importance in creating chances for nurses to offer the best patient care.
As such, learning becomes a kind of philosophy in work, in which the variety of degree programs make the working personnel flourish in time.
One of the programs promoted in the state is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
With such a degree, nurses are expected to earn $30,000 in a year.
This income is higher than that of those with a certificate or lower diploma.
However, the journey of learning in this industry does not stop here.
The state is supporting nurses who are devoted to patient care to increase their medical skills.
They are also stimulating new nursing students to advance their studies along the way.
All this stimulation, of course, does not go in vain.
Once these candidates enter the workforce in Maryland, they will benefit much.
A good yearly income, job opportunities as well as career advancements, are some of the benefits through which they will be able to use their gained skills previously.
For RN bridge programs visit:
- RN to BSN Programs in Maryland
- RN to MSN Programs in Maryland
ADN Programs in Maryland
With all this activity in the healthcare system in Maryland, nursing is still in high demand.
An AND degree, in particular, is constantly being applied for by many students.
Because of its short length, you should not be hesitating to go for it either.
Also being the shortest way to a nursing license, you can explore the 15 programs available around the state and start your nursing career soon.
Of course, this degree is not the end of it.
After an ADN degree, many doors will open for you.
You can basically enter the bridge program door, through which an NCLEX-RN exam will wait for you.
And then soon earn the license and start working.
What to Look For in an ADN Program in Maryland
I hope you’re being moved from my words.
But hold on!
Before you make a step to an ADN program, make sure you choose the best one.
To do so, you need to have the right criteria first.
They usually include accreditation, nursing licensure, and program outcomes.
The rest of the criteria such as values, lifestyle, and personality are automatically at work.
So I believe you will always choose the school according to them.
So, I want to make sure you check only the first ones.
Accreditation
The fact that not all nursing colleges work with proper accreditation may be sad to hear.
But on the other hand, it is releasing as well.
It narrows down our school choice.
Even though it is a voluntary practice, accreditation adds to the school’s quality and standards.
So far, three organizations work in this direction in Maryland.
It’s the Middle State Commission on Higher Education.
If not this probably the Commission for Education in Nursing.
Or else, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
However, the case, all of the three will make sure you get the education you’ve applied for in the first place.
They do so by checking review programs of the colleges they accredit.
They review the institutions where programs are offered, the policies and make corrections when necessary.
Licensing
The second criteria to look for in a program is the opportunity of nursing licensure.
This practice is already assured by the Maryland Board of Nursing.
However, we want to make sure you get one.
The Board actually makes it possible for the activity to take place, through Board nurses.
They make sure programs go by licensure exam standards and make sure they all earn it after they finish the nursing degree.
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes are third in the list of school choice criteria.
They are like a mirror of an entire RN program.
It is the motivation for every potential nursing student eager to find a good school.
You can find information for a school’s program right on its website.
If not there, on the website of the college instead.
The information you may find includes these areas:
- Document enrolments compared to diplomas you’ve earned each year
- Student attraction measures
- Vocational preparedness metrics
- NCLEX exam information
- Survey information related to student satisfaction
When talking about schools, let’s stop at the Hagerstown Community College in Hagerstown.
With an ADN program in its curriculum, it is an example of a college were empathetic, and thorough patient-care is offered for all students.
ADN Program Admission Requirements in Maryland
It is not only you who have criteria for the school.
Actually, the school has some towards you as well.
Thought admission requirements differ from one college to the other.
They have some features in common, which cover up the following:
- Apply online by full Application
- Finish the supplementary writing/personal statement
- Send your official transcript(s)
- Submit competitive SAT and ACT scores (they can be old or new)
- Submit SAT II if desired
- Submit TOEFL if it applies
- Attach all application fees
- Attend an interview if needed
- Document your vaccinations and background check
Tuition and Costs of ADN Programs in Maryland
The beauty of pursuing an ADN program in Maryland is that you have to choose a community college cost.
This cost is always affordable, and therefore popular.
Yet, tuition will not be excluded from you.
Basically, it is a separate cost.
But you will probably have to pay additional fees such as housing, books, equipment and so on.
If you go for the Anne Arundel Community College, you will find that its tuition has many addresses.
Just like the students have their own.
However, Anne Arundel County has an affordable way of life.
A such, its credit hours or tuition is paid $110.
Add to it the living cost of $100, and you realize that a student who lives out of state has to pay twice more.
Other fees related to an ADN program in this place are separate from tuition.
Advantages of ADN Programs
If there is anything quite frequent in an ADN program are its advantages.
To begin with, it’s an affordable price.
If you’re doubting whether you should pursue post-secondary education in Maryland, don’t question it.
You can afford it.
The other advantage is the favorable length.
LPN to RN Programs in Maryland
One way to make an RN career easy is to give Licensed Practical Nurses to achieve the same nursing path.
If you’re one, you can pursue an LPN to RN path in Maryland.
You can actually choose from an LPN to ADN path.
Or else, go for the LPN to BSN one.
LPN to AND Program
An LPN to ADN program is an entry-level one.
However, it requires you to pursue intensive nursing discussions.
Add to its labs and clinics, you will be able to get to its end in 13 weeks.
But luckily, you have options to consider.
Montgomery College in Rockville is one of them.
It offers an LPN to ADN program of 8 credits.
LPN to BSN Programs
The BSN degree is a very useful one in nursing.
Therefore being able to jump from an LPN path to a BSN one is a great opportunity to advance in the field.
The education you will get in this transition will be huge.
To have an idea of this type of program, check the Frederick Community College.
It is in conjunction with Frostburg State University.
The program in this college grants you both an ADN and BSN degree.
Since the two institutions are in conjunction, you can do one thing in one, and the other thing in the other.
For instance, you can finish coursework in Frostburg.
While complete clinicals in Frederick.
BSN Programs in Maryland
We talked about the BSN a bit, but it does not suffice.
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is indeed a four-year degree in Maryland.
The degree leads to nursing licensure through the NCLEX exam.
The exam is so important to pass, as it impacts the idea of whether a nurse can practice her knowledge or not.
So take it seriously folks.
The state is rich in both private and public universities.
However, amid them, there are 10 of them offering a BSN degree for sure.
What To Look For in a BSN Program in Maryland
Your BSN education is a very acquired one, therefore, you need to choose the right place to study it.
Some of the characteristics you need to make sure school nurture is a diversity.
Meaning, there has to be diversity in patients, students, and the faculty.
In addition, the faculty should offer the best credentials in nursing, as well as work through a philosophy that fits all.
One of the well-known schools in Maryland is the University of Maryland Schools of Nursing.
Located in Baltimore, it offers students many forms of specialties.
Among them, leadership, integration of medicine, and empathy are some of them.
The university works with these values in order to change the healthcare outcomes of patients from various lifestyles.
This way, trying to improve the entire community, and make a significant change in the world.
BSN Program Length in Maryland
BSN program length is four years.
As such, they require 110 to 125 credit hours to complete.
A BSN degree, just like the ADN should prepare you for the NCLEX exam.
A characteristic of these programs is their huge theoretical part.
A BSN program can be taken in an accelerated form.
This type of program takes 2.5 years of coursework.
BSN Program Admission Requirements in Maryland
BSN programs have their own admission requirements.
You can go from school to school and find there are different ones.
However, the common ones include these:
- Paying the application fee is a must (non-refundable)
- Send Official transcripts
- Submit your Personal Essay
- Submit your Resume
- Attach two letters of recommendation taken from academic sources
- GPA – at least a 3.0 cumulative
Tuition and Costs of BSN Programs in Maryland
Sometimes money can be a problem.
But a BSN program is definitely one.
Because of its flexibility and the number of jobs this degree comes with, it is worth pursuing.
Of course, these two glad tidings come with graduation and later on, with a license.
However, tuition is a separate pay for BSN programs in Maryland.
Additional fees include those for books, room, and board.
However, as a nursing student, you need to make research about both types of pay in BSN schools.
The issue of pay also differs for full-time students who live in the state.
They pay a $4,300 per semester.
This pay is valid at the University of Maryland.
In this cost, housing and other evident costs are not part of the price.
Advantages of BSN Programs
Pursuing a BSN program comes with its advantages.
First of all, you learn in large class sizes.
This offers you the chance to learn more and better.
Then, these programs are found in both rural and urban areas, which means you will be able to choose from diverse learning ways.
MSN Programs in Maryland
In the variety of Nursing Programs, the last to talk about is the MSN program.
Resulting in many other specialties such as gerontology or acute care, it is a correct way to advance your studies and your nursing career in general.
As a graduate school, an MSN degree is a good way for students who struggle with personal and professional pursuits.
These programs are available so far in Maryland.
The schedule of these programs is both full-time and part-time.
There is just one thing that makes these programs hard.
That is the rough criteria to enter one in the first place.
But this trait shows the quality of the programs, so it is an advantage in the long-term.
MSN Program Length in Maryland
Some things in life are constant.
But surely the only constant is continual change.
An MSN length varies from the faculty and what type of RN experience and programs it offers.
However, the general length of the MSN program is one to two years at most.
At this stage, you can make up 40 credit hours along with 100 other hours of clinical work as you complete the specialty you’ve chosen.
MSN Admission Requirements in Maryland
Maryland is the place of beautiful seas.
As vast as a sea can be, so are Nursing opportunities in the state too.
A Master’s of Science in Nursing is one of them.
However, nothing is as easy as it seems.
Entering such a program requires meeting some set of requirements.
These requirements are specific to the faculty and the specialty you choose to study in.
Being a competitive degree, it means you have to deserve it.
Once you’re accepted, then, you must do your best to prove yourself worthy of it.
You can do so in various ways.
Basically, with your time and effort, you put in your lessons.
However, check the main requirements you need to meet in the short run to enter an MSN program in Maryland:
- Official transcript from a Middle States Commission on Higher Education accredited baccalaureate nursing program
- Make sure you send 3 professional recommendation letters
- 1 A year or more work experience in Nursing
- Professional portfolio, with a CV attached
- An unencumbered RN license to practice in Maryland
- Criminal Offense Record Investigation negative
- Graduate application and fee
Tuition and Costs of MSN Programs in Maryland
The price of a Nursing program usually comes last, but you must think about it first.
Sounds ironic, but you have to consider everything.
The MSN program also comes with its own cost of tuition.
At the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, a tuition of $1500 per credit hour will be charged to a graduate student.
However, this cost must be researched before admission.
In addition, housing, university fees, and similar costs should not be underestimated either.
For NP programs visit:
- Maryland DNP Programs
- Maryland FNP Programs
- Maryland Nurse Practitioner Programs
- Maryland Post- Graduate Certificate Nursing Programs
Getting a Maryland Nursing License
Step by step and here we are at the last step of your nursing education.
It’s licensure.
If I tell you that you have two ways to secure it, would you be excited?
Well, either way, I will tell you.
You have two ways to do so.
One way is by endorsement.
The other is by exam.
If you apply for it by an exam, you must file an application first.
Then you have to send it with these documents attached:
- A Final Official sealed transcript – you can send it in electronic form too (it applies to Maryland only)
- Criminal background check – with a fingerprint card
- Register for the NCLEX exam
- Recent Passport photo – it should be signed
- Include the Social Security Number or Federal Tax ID Number in your Application
Whereas if you choose to apply for a license by endorsements, you have to equally send the above documents and attach something like the following:
- Verify your Licensure from the source state you’ve obtained it- let it be verification form or NURSYS (if applicable)
Accelerated Nursing Programs in Maryland
We started simple, let’s end it the same.
Because what can be easier than an accelerated BSN program in Maryland?
With only 12 to 18 months of coursework, with affordable tuition and little of admission requirements, you cannot blame it for much.
Just have the courage to fasten your nursing career in the most beautiful way possible.
Maryland will welcome you every time.
- Maryland Accelerated BSN Programs
- Maryland Accelerated MSN Programs
Latest Maryland NCLEX-RN Pass Rates and Statistics
- Total Number of State Approved Schools: 25
- Total Number of Test Takers in 2019: 2,319
- 2019 Average Statewide Maryland NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.7%
The Best RN Schools in Maryland
Below you can check the top-ten RN schools in Maryland.
In them, you will be able to complete three or more types of nursing degrees.
You may start with an ADN, follow up with a BSN and culminate with an MSN one.
The latter will give you the highest progress in your career.
While you can also go for an accelerated program as well, which is shorter than all of them.
School Name Address Cecil College 1 Seahawk Dr, North East, MD 21901 Anne Arundel Community College 101 College Pkwy, Arnold, MD 21012 Hagerstown Community College 11400 Robinwood Dr, Hagerstown, MD 21742 Salisbury University 1101 Camden Ave, Salisbury, MD 21801 Notre Dame of Maryland University 4701 N Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21210 Allegany College of Maryland 12401 Willowbrook Rd, Cumberland, MD 21502 Harford Community College 401 Thomas Run Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015 Howard Community College 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044 Carroll Community College 1601 Washington Rd, Westminster, MD 21157 Towson University 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD 21252
RN Salaries in Maryland
RN salaries in Maryland shift in three perspectives.
There is a minimum, an average as well as a maximum.
However, the average is always constant.
Annual Salary Range:Location Avg. Annual Salary Baltimore $65,311 Frederick $67,994 Gaithersburg $70,121 Bowie $70,163 Rockville $70,227 Hagerstown $64,350 Annapolis $67,145 College Park $70,311 Salisbury $67,592 Cumberland $58,297 Regional Salary in Maryland
Region Employed Avg. Annual Salary Avg. Hourly Pay Top 10% Annual Salary Bottom 10% Annual Salary Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 29,390 $92,810 $44.62 $119,150 $66,670 California-Lexington Park, MD 490 $88,110 $42.36 $111,060 $68,640 Cumberland, MD-WV 970 $77,980 $37.49 $97,740 $63,040 Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV 2,110 $86,720 $41.69 $103,520 $64,550 Salisbury, MD-DE 4,030 $88,130 $42.37 $102,830 $67,710
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.