Thinking about working in Massachusetts? Here's everything you need to know about being a nurse in the Bay State.
DEMAND FOR NURSES
The U.S. Health Department of Health and Human Services (HRSA) conducted a workforce analysis of projected nursing needs through 2030. The study looked at each individual state and identified shortages and surpluses. While Massachusetts is currently experiencing a nursing shortage, it is projected to have a nursing surplus of 2,000 nurses by 2030.
Despite the surplus reported by the HRSA analysis, the reports provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that there is a high demand for specialized nurses including nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists in Massachusetts.
Overall, the need for nurses will be affected by a variety of reasons, including changes in health care coverage and reimbursement, health insurance changes at a government level, and hospital accreditation changes.
Part One Massachusetts Board of Registered Nursing
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing regulates and issues all nursing licenses in the state. Its mission is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens in the Commonwealth through the fair and consistent application of the statutes and regulations governing nursing practice and nursing education.
Massachusetts is not part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so every nurse must apply for a separate license to practice there.
Massachusetts, along with two other states (PA and VA) manage all licensure applications through a private company called Professional Credential Services.
MASSACHUSETTS LICENSE APPLICATIONS
All applications must be made through this online system. Here are the direct links to the online nursing applications and forms.
While these numbers are the reported averages, nurses have the ability to earn even more depending on responsibilities, certifications, and shift differentials.
Certificationssuch as CCRN, CPN, and RNC will all earn individuals additional pay depending on the hospital system. This can vary depending on a variety of factors but nurses can either receive a one-time bonus or an increase in their hourly wage. It is important to check with employers regarding this.
Shift differentialsrange from 5%-20% depending on the shift work. Weekend night shifts pay more than weekday day shifts. Before accepting any position it is important to speak to Human Resources to understand the shift differential at each hospital. Furthermore, some hospitals will only provide a shift differential if a nurse is paid on an hourly basis. Rarely are salaried employees eligible for this benefit.
Participating in hospital- and unit-based committees may also contribute to higher earnings. Hospitals, particularly Magnet-designated, commonly have numerous opportunities in which to participate.
While participation alone does not increase pay, it can help a nurse climb the clinical ladder. With each step in the clinical ladder, there is also a pay increase.
Precepting new nurses can also be a way to earn bonuses. Most hospitals offer bonuses for precepting new nurses. This is paid in two lump sums. The first payment is after the new nurse is off of orientation while the final payment is after the new staff member has been in the hospital system for a full year. This is a great incentive for senior nurses to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of nurses.
Typical Benefits For Nurses
Nurses enjoy strong benefits throughout Michigan. Actual benefits including healthcare will vary depending on the healthcare institution. Most institutions will only offer benefits to part-time and full-time employees. Rarely are they offered to per diem or contracted employees.
Standard benefits include:
Disability insurance
Vision insurance
Retirement options
Discounts on a variety of products
Dental coverage
Maternity leave
Health insurance
Childcare support
Various memberships related to the organization
Leave benefits
Part Five Top Nursing Programs in Massachusetts
Considering furthering your nursing education in Massachusetts? Our panel of registered nurses reviewed nursing programs across the state based on their reputation, NCLEX pass rate, tuition, and accreditation status. See the top 10 listed below, and get additional details in our Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Massachusetts guide.
Simmons College
Boston College
University of Massachusetts - Amherst
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
University of Massachusetts - Boston
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
College of Our Lady of the Elms
Regis College
Salem State University
Part Six Best Hospitals In Massachusetts
With more than 1.7 million nurses employed at inpatient hospitals, understanding the key differences between these facilities is important. You’ll want to know which hospitals nurses like best and other important features like Magnet status and location.
Magnet Hospitals
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), in its aim to promote nursing excellence, evaluates healthcare organizations through its credentialing programs. The Magnet designation is the highest credential awarded to healthcare institutions based on their work environment, nursing excellence, innovations in nursing practice, and quality patient outcomes.
For RNs seeking work with best-in-class medical institutions, choosing one with Magnet status is a smart move.
“Working at Beth Israel becomes like a second home for you, everyone becomes family. You are never alone, everyone is a team and value you for your work.”
“I feel that this hospital has a great environment to help teach new nurses and welcome the help as they need it! I could have asked for a better start to my career.”
“There are a lot of learning opportunities and the staff is great.”
Continuing Education (CE) in Nursing consists of planned, organized learning experiences designed to augment the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for the enhancement of nursing practice, with the goal of improving health care to the public.
The overriding consideration in determining whether a specific program/offering qualifies as acceptable CE is that it be a planned program of learning which contributes directly to the professional competence of the licensed nurse.
The Board provides a checklist to determine whether a CE program satisfies Board requirements.
Continuing Education Audit
You do not need to send evidence of CE program completion or certificates to the Board unless you are requested to do so by the Board. If you receive a request, you will be directed where to mail them. If you are selected for audit or named in a complaint, you may be required to send two cycles worth of CE certificates to the Board.
When you renew your license, you attest under penalties of perjury to compliance with state tax and child support laws, mandatory reporting laws, and regulations pertaining to your practice, including CE requirements.
It is the responsibility of each licensed nurse to maintain an authenticated record of CE programs completed for two consecutive registration periods (four years).
Part Eight Labor Unions
Massachusetts is a right to work state which means that you have a choice of whether or not to join a labor union. Union members often enjoy higher pay, better working conditions, and more job security.
However, they must also pay union dues, participate in strikes, and may have limited access to advancement opportunities (due to seniority).
The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) is the largest nursing union in Massachusetts. The MNA works as a collective voice to ensure that nurses throughout the state are receiving fair wages and benefits, have proper collective bargaining tools, and representation in times of need. The union represents nurses at the following organizations:
American Red Cross
Anna Jaques Hospital
Baystate Franklin Medical Center
Baystate VNA & Hospice Greenfield
Bedford Public Health
Berkshire Medical Center
Boston Medical Center
Boston VNA
Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Brockton Hospital
Brockton VNA
Burbank Hospital
Cambridge Hospital
Cape Cod Hospital
Cape Cod VNA
Clinton Hospital
Cooley-Dickinson Hospital
Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Dialysis Clinic, Inc.
Diversified Home Service, Inc.
Falmouth Hospital
Faulkner Hospital
Gloucester School Nurses
Grafton School Nurses
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
Heywood Hospital
Holy Family
Jordan Hospital
Kindred Health Care (Braintree)
Lawrence General Hospital
Lawrence Public Health Dept.
Leicester School Nurses
Leominster Hospital
Marlborough Hospital
Martha’s Vineyard Hospital
Medford School Department
Mercy Medical Center
Merrimack Valley Hospital
Methuen Schools
MetroWest Medical Center
Morton Medical Center
Nantucket Cottage Hospital
Nashoba Boards of Health
Newton Public Health
Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Noble Hospital
North Adams Hospital
North Middlesex Regional SD
Northeast Hospital Corporation
North Shore Salem Hospital
Providence Hospital
Quincy Medical Center
Radius Hospital-Boston
Radius Hospital-Quincy
Smith College
Steward Carney Hospital
Steward Good Samaritan MC
Steward Norwood Hospital
Steward St. Elizabeth’s MC
Somerville Hospital
Southcoast Hospitals Group
St. Vincent’s Hospital
Taunton School Committee
Tufts Medical Center
UMass Memorial Medical Center
UMass Memorial, Hahnemann
UMass Medical School
Unit 7
Vibra
VNA and Hospice of Cooley Dickinson
Wachusett Regional Schools
West Springfield Schools
Whidden Memorial Hospital
Wilmington Schools
Worcester Public Health
Worcester Schools
Part Nine Nursing Jobs In Massachusetts
As a skilled nurse, you are in control of your career. Check out the featured listings below or search thousands of job listings on our job board and get the pay and career path you deserve.
CASE MANAGER RN
Gardner, MA | MedPro Staffing
Travel contract. 2 years recent experience in Acute Case Manager Setting required. Private housing or housing allowance. Group Health insurance benefits. Company-paid life and disability insurance. Matching 401(k).
Direct patient care that requires the utilization of sophisticated medical equipment to monitor vital signs. Customized benefits package. Paid private housing, reimbursement for travel.
