Jake Flannigan, NP
June 26, 2025
Maryland presents a wealth of opportunities for nurses at every stage of their careers, offering programs that span from foundational certification to advanced clinical practice. Whether you’re beginning your journey as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), advancing from an RN to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) licensure, or specializing as a Nurse Practitioner (NP), the state’s colleges and universities deliver comprehensive curricula tailored to diverse learning styles. With options ranging from hands‑on clinical rotations to flexible online coursework, Maryland’s nursing programs equip graduates to excel in a vibrant healthcare ecosystem while enjoying competitive salary prospects.
Owings Mills, MD - Private 4-year - stevenson.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Stevenson University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing provides an immersive, comprehensive pathway for aspiring healthcare professionals. With over 30 years of experience, the program prepares students for dynamic nursing roles through personalized instruction and exceptional clinical experiences. Students benefit from direct admission, small class sizes, and mentorship from experienced faculty. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based practice, and holistic patient care across diverse healthcare settings. Graduates are well-prepared to take the NCLEX-RN and pursue careers in various nursing specialties, with clinical placements at prestigious institutions like Johns Hopkins Hospital and MedStar Health.
Takoma Park, MD - Private 4-year - wau.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) at Washington Adventist University offers a Christ-centered education, preparing students for professional nursing practice. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the program combines theoretical and clinical learning across various healthcare settings. Graduates are equipped for diverse roles in hospitals, community health, and beyond, with opportunities for graduate study. The curriculum emphasizes professional competence, with clinical experiences at leading healthcare institutions. Financial aid options are available, including FAFSA® applications for need-based aid.
Cumberland, MD - Public 2-Year - allegany.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Allegany College of Maryland offers an Associate of Science degree in Nursing, designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN exam. This program combines comprehensive education with hands-on clinical experience, taught by expert healthcare providers. Students gain access to state-of-the-art equipment and diverse clinical settings, learning both the science of healing and the art of compassion. The program is accredited by ACEN and approved by the Maryland and Pennsylvania State Boards of Nursing, ensuring a quality education that meets state licensure requirements.
Concentration: LPN to RN Online - Online Learning - Visit Website
Allegany College of Maryland offers an online LPN to RN program, designed for licensed practical nurses seeking to advance their careers. This program requires a minimum GPA of 2.50 in prerequisite courses, including English, psychology, and sciences. Applicants must have one year of LPN work experience. The curriculum includes general education and nursing courses, with a focus on transitioning LPNs to RN roles. Financial aid options are available, making this an affordable path to a rewarding nursing career.
Concentration: Weekend Hybrid - Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The Weekend Hybrid Nursing program at Allegany College of Maryland offers a flexible path to an Associate of Science degree in Nursing, blending online and in-person instruction. Ideal for students without prior nursing experience, the program includes weekly virtual office hours and in-person classes every Saturday. Admission requires a 'C' or better in Bio 207, completion of developmental courses, and a competitive HESI A2 exam score. General education courses are also required.
Baltimore, MD - Public 4-Year - coppin.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Coppin State University's Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing, addressing the growing need for healthcare professionals. This campus-based program blends nursing science with humanities and liberal arts, equipping graduates with the skills for generalist roles or further study. Admission requires a 3.0 GPA, with a comprehensive application process including the ATI TEAS exam and letters of recommendation. The 120-credit curriculum covers everything from human anatomy to community nursing, culminating in a senior practicum. Financial aid and scholarships may help manage costs, making this program accessible to aspiring nurses ready to make a difference.
Salisbury, MD - Public 4-Year - salisbury.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Salisbury University's Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) program prepares students for a rewarding career in nursing. This campus-based program requires a two-step admission process, starting with university admission followed by a separate nursing program application. With a cohort of about 72 students annually, the program emphasizes a strong foundation in sciences and nursing principles. Prerequisites include courses in chemistry, anatomy, physiology, microbiology, nutrition, pathophysiology, and developmental psychology. The program is competitive, with a focus on students achieving a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Successful graduates are well-equipped for the challenges of the nursing profession, meeting the physical and psychological standards required for clinical placements and licensure.
Maryland’s LPN programs combine classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community clinics. Through 12 to 18 months of hands‑on training, students learn to administer medications, monitor vital signs, and provide essential patient care under professional oversight. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and earning Maryland licensure, graduates step into roles that support RNs and physicians by easing staffing pressures and enhancing patient access. By strengthening the practical nursing workforce across both Baltimore’s urban centers and the state’s rural areas, these programs help ensure consistent, high‑quality care throughout Maryland.
Maryland’s CNA programs offer six to twelve weeks of structured training in infection prevention, patient hygiene, and basic care techniques, followed by hands‑on practicums. Through real‑world training, learners gain expertise in feeding, mobility assistance, and accurate vital‑sign monitoring. After earning certification, they contribute to care teams across a variety of healthcare settings. Their role helps maintain efficient, compassionate care delivery statewide.
Maryland’s RN to BSN offerings leverage the state’s extensive healthcare network, from urban medical centers to community clinics, by combining self‑paced online modules in nursing leadership, population and community health, informatics and healthcare policy with supervised clinical rotations across varied settings. Tailored for practicing RNs, these bridge programs provide part‑time and accelerated tracks that fit around shift schedules. Completing a BSN deepens skills in evidence‑driven care and interdisciplinary coordination, aligns with employer and accreditation expectations for degree‑prepared nurses, and opens doors to management, specialty certification and public health roles. By advancing their credentials, Maryland’s nurses help strengthen patient care across both metropolitan and rural communities.
Maryland’s Nurse Practitioner pathways take registered nurses beyond their BSN through rigorous graduate study and hands-on clinical residencies, usually lasting two to four years, in specialties like family practice, pediatrics, and psychiatric-mental health. Available through fully in-person cohorts, blended, and fully online options at universities and health systems statewide, these MSN and DNP tracks equip nurses for APRN certification and Maryland licensure. Graduates emerge ready to serve as primary care providers, chronic condition managers, and telehealth clinicians in urban hospitals, community clinics, and underserved Eastern Shore and rural Western Maryland settings. By cultivating a cadre of advanced-practice nurses, these programs play a vital role in expanding access to high-quality care across the state.
| Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Still available, BSN strongly preferred in major hospitals |
| RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | Not offered in Maryland |
| Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 requirement, employers usually require BSN |
| Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs practice independently with full authority |
| Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs practice independently statewide |
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Online Learning - Website
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Concentration: Weekend Hybrid - Online & Campus Based - Website
Concentration: LPN to RN Online - Online Learning - Website
Campus Based - Website
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Concentration: LPN to RN - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Military Medic to RN - Campus Based - Website
Concentration: Paramedic to RN - Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website
Campus Based - Website