2021 - Best Nursing Schools in Maryland

Overview of Nursing Schools in Maryland

About Nursing Schools in Maryland

There is a wide variety of challenges in the healthcare industry that come from the fact that nurses are being called to provide complex healthcare to service a large amount of patients. The patients are experiencing acute illnesses. An Associate’s Degree in Nursing is a nice head start. However, nurses who pursue their bachelor’s degree will be opened up to new career opportunities. They will also be able to provide better care to their patients. There are RN and BSN programs across the state that allow nurses to achieve an advanced education. A bachelor’s degree in nursing in the state of Maryland builds on knowledge gained in the nursing industry such as leadership and management of healthcare systems.

In our Maryland RN program guide, find rankings for both ADN and BSN Degree programs, tuition costs, NCLEX passing rates, and more. Research key Maryland RN Program information to help you compare program metrics and to apply to best RN program for your career in nursing.

In the State of Maryland, nurses are helping to change the face of healthcare. To ensure that they have the best education and preparation for future health care challenges, registered nurses need to graduate from a state-approved associate's degree in nursing program or a BSN degree program.

Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.

BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.

Maryland RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN

Best Ranked RN Programs in Maryland

To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both Maryland and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.

To create our rankings, we evaluated 15 ADN degree programs and 10 BSN degree programs in Maryland. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in Maryland to provide our state rankings. View our methodology. 

Best Nursing Schools (BSN) in Maryland

Nursing schools in Maryland have developed new ways to aid busy nurses advance their education. A lot of BSN programs in Maryland will often consider previous nursing education. Programs are offered online as well as in the traditional campus setting. Nurses are encouraged to review all possible options. Courses in a BSN program will provide nurses with the tools to grow as a professional in management roles, diagnostic reasoning, and advanced research. The curriculum of a BSN program typically includes:

• Nursing leadership
• Research in nursing
• Diversity in health
• Policy and legislation
• Management of complex health systems and disease
• Humanities
• Medical information technology

Best Nursing Schools (ADN) in Maryland

There are a variety of education options for prospective RNs in Maryland.  Students can seek education at community colleges, colleges and universities.  Unique to Maryland is that many of the RN programs offer an ATB (associates-to-bachelor's) option, which means that students can simultaneously take courses for their ADN and BSN at the same time.

Additional Listings for Maryland Nursing Schools

Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in Maryland

RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.

Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Maryland

Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in Maryland offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:

• Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
• Family Nurse Practitioner
• Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
• Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
• Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner 
• Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner

Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.

Maryland  RN Licensing Requirements

Maryland State Board of Nursing
4140 Patterson Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: (410) 585-1900

Website: http://www.mbon.org/

Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $100
License renewal (annual), RN: $73

Continuing Education Requirements:
None

RN Licensure by Exam

Before a candidate can register and complete the NCLEX exam, he/she must obtain permission from the Board to test. Background checks are required for candidates who completed one during lower levels of education. Candidates should register for the NCLEX exam through the Pearson VUE website. There is a $200 fee to register for the exam. Exams are constantly scheduled but it is important for candidates to schedule their exam in the time frame noted in the Authorization to Test. If a candidate fails to pass the NCLEX, he/she will need to wait 45 days before attempting it again.

RN Licensure by Endorsement

Programs completed out-of-state will be accepted as long as they are equivalent. Not all programs are equivalent and may need a mentor. Additionally, RNs who are licensed in one of the other 50 states will be able to gain licensure by endorsement. There is an application fee of $100 and an additional fee of $40 in order for the candidate to obtain a temporary license. Fingerprinting is required for candidates to be granted a temporary license.

RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad

There are additional requirements for nurses who were trained in a foreign country. First of all the candidate must apply to the Maryland Board. The candidate should also apply for a CES Professional Report and complete an oral proficiency exam before registering to take the NCLEX. There are several exams that will be accepted in order to prove English proficiency such as: TOEFL, IELTS, and ILA. The proficiency exam may be waived if the program was completed for three years or longer in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, or Canada (with the exception of Quebec). There is a $100 fee attached to the application.

RN Salaries in Maryland

Employers in Maryland highly value nurses who have obtained a BSN because it shows initiation. A BSN degree will help nurses to advance their knowledge and show dedication to the career. Opportunities that are available to nurses who have obtained a BSN may include:

• Occupational nursing
• Medical oncology
• Nursing administration
• Corporate nursing
• Wound and ostomy
• Psychiatric

Maryland is one of many states that is proposing legislation in favor of increasing the number of RNs that have obtained a BSN or higher. The RNs in Maryland are able to revel in the fact that they have a higher median salary than the median average. The median salary for RNs in the state of Maryland is $71,000.

Maryland Registered Nursing Salaries

While there are more registered nurses in Baltimore by a large margin, it is not the highest paying area. The Bethesda metropolitan area has both the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
Source: BLS, Department of Education, State Board of Nursing, Nursing School Websites.