Best RN Programs in Maryland for 2024

Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) is a public, two-year institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Located in Arnold, Maryland, it is nationally-recognized and is the state’s largest single-campus community college. AACC offers two-year degrees with transfer credits and complete credit certificate programs. Its Associate of Science in Nursing is ACEN-accredited and Maryland Board of Nursing-approved. Its Department of Nursing consists of student-focused faculty members.

Associate of Science Degree, A.S. (Nursing) - This 70-credit program can be completed in three years in full-time study. Through simulation conducted in clinical settings and AACC’s state-of-the-art laboratories, students will gain hands-on experiences. A dual enrollment, developed by AACC and American Public University (APUS) allows LPNs, Paramedics or Veterans to be admitted in the RN program.  With a combination of assessed credentials, transferred credits, and online education, these individuals are admitted with an advanced placement as second year of the said program. Graduates are conferred an Associate of Science degree and are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensing examination.

 Practical Nursing - This 41-credit program prepares students for the National Council Licensure Examination-PN (NCLEX-PN). Classes are conducted on weekends and evenings, and can be completed in one academic year. Aside from skills development and hands-on experiences through the simulation laboratory, clinical experiences are also done in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities and other community health agencies. Students are awarded a Practical Nursing Certificate upon program completion.

Founded in 1968, Cecil College is a comprehensive, inclusive, and open-access college in North East, Maryland. With a student to faculty ratio of 12:1, it is a learner-centered educational institution which is committed to academic excellence.

Its Nursing programs allow for ease of transfer credits in nursing bachelor’s and master’s degree because of the Cecil College’s articulation agreements with several universities such as Wilmington University, University of Delaware, and University of Wisconsin-Green Bay. Moreover, the said nursing programs’ curriculums focus on evidence-based, interactive, and comprehensive nursing education.

Associate of Science in Nursing - This 70-credit program equips graduates for their roles as entry-level nurses. It is ACEN-accredited and Maryland Board of Nursing- approved. The curriculum places emphasis on the educational competencies of the nursing practice eight core components. Moreover, because of Cecil College’s articulation agreements, the program has direct articulation with several higher-education nursing programs, and students can be dually-enrolled with an associate degree and a BSN degree, with the latter through the college’s four-year partners. Program graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam, meeting the requirements of not only Maryland but of Delaware and Pennsylvania as well.

Licensed Practical Nurse Certificate Program - This 35-credit certificate program is designed for students who completed the nursing program’s first two semesters and the Practical Nursing option’s summer term. This allows them an entry in the nursing profession as a Licensed Practical Nurse since program completers can sit in the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. Students are expected to provide competent and safe nursing care while practicing the fundamental core values of nursing identified by NLN.

Frederick Community College (FCC) is a public college named after its location, Frederick, Maryland. It is known for its affordability and flexibility without compromising quality. FCC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).

Practical Nursing Certificate - This 48-credit hour certificate program prepares students for competent and safe nursing care in various health settings. The curriculum can be completed in at least two years inclusive of prerequisite courses, with one year allotted for clinicals.  The program is approved by the Maryland Board of Nursing. Graduates can sit in the PN licensure exam.

Nursing A.S. Degree Program - FCC’s Nursing A.S Degree Program has two options—day and evening and weekend, and is available only for students with program acceptance. Admission process is selective and competitive with priority given to Frederick County residents. The program can be completed in three to four years for full-time coursework. 

Transition-to-RN - This Transition-to-RN program is designed for Air Force Technicians, Army Medics, Paramedics, Navy Corpsmen and LPNs who would like to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing. Program graduates can take the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.

RN-to-BSN - An RN to BSN option is also available at FCC wherein students can complete their clinical work at FCC while also completing the bachelor’s degree courses in other universities. This Dual-Admission Partnership allows earning an Associate Degree in FCC and a B.S. in Nursing Degree from partner universities. Partner universities are Frostburg State University, Towson University, and University of Maryland School of Nursing. The clinicals can be completed in two years with an additional two semesters for the BSN degree.

Hagerstown Community College (HCC), a two-year public community college located in Hagerstown is Maryland’s first community college. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. HCC’s RN and LPN programs under its Nursing Division are accredited by ACEN and MBON as well. The Division equips its students with high-level technical skills necessary for globalized and diverse health care.

Practical Nursing - This 42-credit program can be completed in 16 months. The curriculum places emphasis on nursing care provision to patients with chronic and acute health problems. Program graduates can sit in the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

Registered Nursing (RN) - Designed to prepare students with the competence required to function as entry-level RNs, this program is available in three-year and two-year pathways The two-year program is a more rigorous and intensive option, requiring up to 16 credits per semester.

Transition Programs - Transition programs are also available at HCC—LPN to RN, Paramedic to RN, and Military Medic/Corpsman to RN. With 70-credits required consisting of 33 for general education and 37 for program requirements, students can complete a registered nursing program with an associate science degree and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN.

Associate to Bachelor's Dual-Enrollment RN Program - This Associate to Bachelor's Dual-Enrollment RN Program allows students to obtain a BSN degree in lesser time. Students can simultaneously take associate and bachelor’s degree classes, requiring less time to finish the latter degree. It is offered with Towson University and Frostburg State University

The Community College of Baltimore County (CBCC) has an expansive selection of degree and certification programs. CBCC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and has gained national recognition in the area of affordable and high-quality training and education.  Its Nursing Program under the School of Health Professions is the leading learner-centered program in the area.

Associate to Bachelor’s (ATB) Nursing Degree - Students who are enrolled for an A.S. Degree at CBCC can also simultaneously study for a B.S. Nursing degree through the dual enrollment opportunity. An additional of around 2-3 terms from one of the four partner universities is required to earn a B.S. Degree, allowing for a time and cost-effective education. The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) is one of the partners for the dual enrollment.

Associate Degree Nursing - Registered Nursing Program, Associate of Science - CBCC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program is accredited by ACEN and the Maryland Board of Nursing. It equips students for the role as a registered nurse. Day and evening/weekend programs are available with the former offered in the Catonsville and Essex Campuses while the latter in the Essex Campus only. The traditional day-time program has the regular 15-week semester schedule while the evening/weekend program requires an onsite session of at least 3 days per week. Meanwhile, a blended program is also available and is only offered in the Catonsville Campus. This online hybrid program’s didactic content is conducted online with seminars and labs conducted on-campus, face-to-face.

 LPN to RN Bridge - This LPN to RN transition program is a bridge for practical nurses into the RN program. Upon completion of the transition course which is offered in the Dundalk Campus, students can articulate into the third semester of the RN program which is held in the Essex and Catonsville campuses.

RN for Emergency Medical Service & Military Personnel - With options for day, evening/weekend and blended classes, this program allows Emergency Medical Service & Military Personnel to join the RN program. To qualify for the Associate Degree in Nursing, a completion of all 70 credit-coursework and clinical hours is required.

Practical nursing - Offered in the Dundalk campus, this 46-credit certificate program can be completed in 12 months or three semesters.  Program graduates can sit in the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. Annual program acceptance is around 40 students.

Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) located in Cumberland, is one of the 16 colleges within the Maryland Association of Community Colleges. Originally called Allegany Community College when it was founded in 1961, it was renamed to its current name in 1996. ACM has an average class size of 14 with a 11:1 student to faculty ratio. It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

Students enrolled in ACM’s comprehensive and high-quality nursing programs obtain access to the college’s state-of-the-art equipment. Hands-on-experiences are also conducted in various clinical settings.

Associate of Science Degree in Nursing - This ladder-style program is accredited by ACEN and approved by both the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and the Maryland Board of Nursing. Upon completion of the first semester, students are eligible for certification as a Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) or Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). For first year program completion with a summer course of five weeks, students are eligible for the NCLEX-PN licensing exam. Moreover, after second year completion of the nursing program, students can sit in for the NCLEX-RN exam and/or pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Around 1400 hours of clinical work in various settings under the supervision of a nursing faculty member is conducted throughout the course of four semesters. In terms of credit transfer, around 66-67 credits were directly transferred by students for a Bachelor of Science degree in various public universities and colleges in the state.

Harford Community College is an open-access public community college in Bel Air, Maryland established in 10957.  It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Its nursing programs place emphasis on theory and experience. Flexible class options are available, with a student-centered curriculum. Aside from supervised clinical experiences with Harford’s partner healthcare agencies, students also experience high-fidelity simulation through the Clinical Simulation Lab. Nursing program admission is selective and competitive, meaning admission completion does not necessarily equate to program admission.

Associate of Science in Nursing | RN - The Associate of Science in Nursing at Harford Community College consists of 70 credit units and is available in two options—Traditional and Day Accelerated. This program is accredited by ACEN with a Continuing Accreditation as the most recent decision. Dual enrollment options for lesser time completion are also available. Hence, students enrolled at Harford for an associate degree can simultaneously take courses for BSN. Articulations are with Frostburg University, Towson University, Stevenson University, and University of MD School of Nursing.

Licensed Practical Nursing to Registered Nurse Transition (LPN to RN) - This LPN to RN transition course is designed for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) as a bridge to enroll in an Associate of Science Degree Nursing Program. It requires a minimum of 16 credit hours and is offered during spring and fall semesters. Lessons are delivered in a hybrid format with on-line sessions of didactic options. Laboratory skill instruction and evaluation are conducted on-campus. Upon successful completion of this transition course, students matriculate into the RN program at the appropriate semester level.