School of Nursing
Program Overview
The mission of the School of Nursing is to educate individuals to become exceptional professional nurses and to lead the discipline through practice, scholarship and service.
The School of Nursing prepares compassionate and capable nurse professionals who are on the forefront of change in health care. We offer two pathways into nursing, as well as several options for Registered Nurses to earn an advanced degree or certification.
Since its creation in 1977 as the successor institution to the 104-year-old Massachusetts General Hospital diploma nursing school, the MGH Institute has been at the forefront of nursing education. In addition to the original Master of Science in Nursing degree, in 2007 the school created one of the country's first four accredited Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. The next year, the Institute inaugurated an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree to meet the demand of filling more than 100,000 nursing vacancies nationwide. In 2011 the Institute introduced two Mind Body Spirit (MBS) nursing certificate programs for nurses who want to integrate a holistic approach with enhanced patient care
You will be mentored by premier practitioners and researchers in the nursing field. The majority of the faculty hold a doctoral degree, actively publish in peer-reviewed journals and textbooks, and many are recognized nationally and internationally. In addition, a large majority are practicing clinicians who use their own real-world experience as teaching examples.
You will receive priority clinical placements within the first few weeks of your program at prestigious health care facilities. The Institute is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Children’s Hospital Boston, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, McLean Hospital, Faulkner Hospital and North Shore Medical Center. These placements have often resulted in job offers after graduation.
Graduates consistently score well above both state and national averages on both the registered nurse licensure (NCLEX-RN®) and advanced practice nursing certification exams.
Become a Nurse
Individuals with an existing Bachelor’s degree and no previous health care experience have two options to become a nurse at MGH Institute School of Nursing.
- The 14-month Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) prepares you to become a Registered Nurse and provide direct care to a diverse patient population in a variety of generalist roles within a wide spectrum of health care settings. This intensive program is the most direct way to enter the profession with the nursing knowledge and skill preparation that health care employers increasingly prefer.
Demand for registered nurses is high. Nationally there is a shortage of more than 100,000 nurses to care for the country’s rapidly aging population. The median income of registered nurses is $62,450.
- The three-year Master of Science in Nursing has a rigorous science-base curriculum that prepares you to become a Nurse Practitioner. It is ranked in the Top 10% of accredited curriculums by U.S. News & World Report.
Demand for Nurse Practitioners is increasing. You can deliver as much as 80% of the primary and preventative health care services traditionally provided by primary care physicians. The median income of nurse practitioners is $82,590.
At the successful completion of this program, you will be awarded a BSN along with your MS degree.
Advance Your Career
Nurses who attend the MGH Institute School of Nursing have several ways to improve their career outlook and increase their responsibilities by earning an advanced degree.
- The Master of Science in Nursing program can be taken on either a full- or part-time basis. It is open to licensed registered nurses who have either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) in a field other than nursing, or Nursing Diploma or Associate Degree (AD).
- The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program prepares today’s advanced practice nurses for leadership roles in the increasingly complex management of health care delivery. You need a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nursing degree to apply. Earning your DNP will satisfy the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) recommendation that that advanced practice nursing education should move to the doctoral level by 2015.
- The Doctor of Nursing Practice for Nurse Executives is designed for licensed Registered Nurses with an existing Master’s degree who are Chief Nursing Officers, Vice Presidents or other executive-level nurse leaders. This program meets your unique needs as an administrator and taps the talent of fellow nurse executives through experiential learning and leadership simulations in a team-centered environment.
- The Certificates of Advanced Study (CAS) allow Master’s-prepared Registered Nurses to expand their specialty training and become eligible for additional advanced practice certification. You can earn your CAS full- or part-time in a wide variety of specialties.