Nursing Programs in Baltimore, MD
Embarking on a new career in the nursing field is an exciting prospect, but with a wealth of schools and programs to choose from, selecting the right program can be an overwhelming process. The Baltimore area is home to many of RegisteredNursing.org's top-ranked nursing programs in Maryland, with accredited programs designed for students just beginning their training and for experienced nurses who would like to earn a higher degree or learn a new specialty. We have outlined all your options for schools in and around Baltimore to make the selection process simpler and easier.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:
Entry Level ADN, BSN, & MSN Programs in Baltimore, MD
For students just starting their careers in nursing, there are a number of entry-level nursing programs to consider. The Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) is an ideal option for students who wish to begin working as soon as possible due to the fast completion time. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs provide a more in-depth introduction to nursing than their ADN counterparts and take around four years to complete.
ADN Programs
ADN programs include coursework in anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and nursing fundamentals and generally can be completed in around two years. The Associate’s Degree in Nursing program at Baltimore City Community College is a two-year program that prepares students to take the NCLEX-RN exam and begin working as registered nurses (RNs).
Direct-Entry BSN Programs
BSN programs also prepare students to take the NCLEX exam and become RNs, but they provide additional coursework in topics such as leadership, communication, public health, mental health nursing, and nursing research that is not usually covered in an associate’s program. One example of a traditional BSN is the program offered at Coppin State University, which includes studies in nursing as well as humanities, behavioral and natural sciences.
Learn more about Maryland Accelerated BSN Programs.
Baltimore RN Program NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
| Baltimore | Maryland | |
|---|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN Students Total | 1,581 | 2,770 |
| NCLEX-RN Students Passed | 1,278 | 2,274 |
| NCLEX-RN Pass Rate | 80.8% | 82.1% |
Top Ranked Accredited Nursing Programs in Baltimore
Listed below are the top nursing schools in Baltimore based on our RegisteredNursing.org RN program rankings for Maryland out of 25 other accredited programs offered in the state:
- Anne Arundel Community College - #3
- Community College of Baltimore County - #6
- Towson University - #8
| School | Contact Information |
|---|---|
Anne Arundel Community College
| 101 College Pkwy Arnold, MD 21012 (410) 777-2222 |
Baltimore City Community College
| 2901 Liberty Heights Ave Baltimore, MD 21215 (410) 462-8300 |
Bowie State University
| 14000 Jericho Park Rd Bowie, MD 20715 (301) 860-4000 |
Carroll Community College
| 1601 Washington Rd Westminster, MD 21157 (410) 840-8443 |
Community College of Baltimore County
| 800 S Rolling Rd Catonsville, MD 21228 (443) 840-2222 |
Coppin State University
| 2500 W North Ave Baltimore, MD 21216 (410) 951-3000 |
Harford Community College
| 401 Thomas Run Rd Bel Air, MD 21015 (443) 412-2000 |
Howard Community College
| 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy Columbia, MD 21044 (443) 518-1000 |
Johns Hopkins University
| 3101 Wyman Park Drive Baltimore, MD 21218 (410) 955-4766 |
Morgan State University
| 1700 E Cold Spring Ln Baltimore, MD 21251 (443) 885-3333 |
Notre Dame of Maryland University
| 4701 N Charles St Baltimore, MD 21210 (410) 435-0100 |
Stevenson University
| 1525 Greenspring Valley Rd Stevenson, MD 21153 (877) 468-6852 |
Towson University
| 8000 York Rd Towson, MD 21252 (410) 704-2000 |
University of Maryland
| 655 West Lombard Street Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 706-3100 |
RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Baltimore, MD
Designed for registered nurses who want to earn a higher wage or increase their job opportunities, RN to BSN or RN to Master of Science (MSN) “bridge” programs provide a pathway to higher degrees for experienced nurses. Bridge programs allow nurses with a diploma or ADN to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in less time than traditional programs because they count previous coursework toward the new degree.
RN to BSN Programs
RN to BSN programs are ideal for nurses who want to earn their bachelor’s degree. Often these programs come with the flexibility of online or hybrid courses, such as the RN to BSN program at the University of Maryland, which is offered on a full-time or part-time basis with online and hybrid class options for maximum convenience for working students.
Learn more about Maryland RN to BSN Programs.
RN to MSN Programs
Some schools also offer RN to MSN programs, which allow nurses to earn their master’s degree in a shorter timeframe than taking a traditional BSN program followed by a traditional MSN program. The RN to MSN program at the University of Maryland combines a BSN program with an MSN program with a specialization of the student’s choice of community/public health nursing, health services leadership and management and nursing informatics.
Learn more about Maryland RN to MSN Programs.
| School | Contact Information |
|---|---|
Anne Arundel Community College | 101 College Parkway Arnold, MD (410) 777-2222 |
Chesapeake College | 1000 College Cir Wye Mills, MD (410) 822-5400 |
Community College of Baltimore County | 800 S Rolling Rd Catonsville, MD (443) 840-2222 |
Hagerstown Community College | 11400 Robinwood Dr Hagerstown, MD (240) 500-2000 |
Howard Community College | 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway Columbia, MD (443) 518-1000 |
Notre Dame of Maryland University
| 4701 North Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21210 |
Prince George's Community College | 301 Largo Rd Largo, MD (301) 546-7422 |
Stevenson University
| 100 Campus Circle Owings Mills, MD 21117 (877) 531-7118 |
Towson University
| 8000 York Road Towson, MD 21252 (410) 704-3028 |
University of Maryland | 655 West Lombard Street Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 706-6741 |
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Baltimore, MD
Advanced practice nursing programs are designed for nurses who want to take on a leadership role in their organizations, or become nurse practitioners, nurse educators, or nurse administrators. These positions are personally rewarding, with higher salaries and promising growth opportunities. In the Baltimore area, nurses can choose from MSN programs, post-master’s certificate programs, and even doctoral nursing programs.
MSN Programs
MSN programs train nurses to become nurse practitioners and other leadership positions, often allowing students to concentrate their studies in a particular specialty. The MSN program at Bowie State University allows students to choose from a Nurse Practitioner or a Nurse Educator track for their studies.
Learn more about Maryland Nurse Practitioner Programs.
Post-Master’s Certificate Programs
Some schools offer post-master’s certificate programs that allow nurses who hold their master’s degree to learn a new specialty without repeating their previous coursework. As an example, the University of Maryland offers a post-master’s certificate program in nursing informatics that is comprised of 6 courses to be taken over 4 or 5 semesters of study.
Learn more about Maryland Post-Master's Certificate Programs.
DNP & Ph.D. Programs
DNP and Ph.D. programs are the highest level study available to nurses. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs focus on clinical practice, while nursing Ph.D. programs prepare students for careers in research or academia. The University of Maryland offers a variety of pathways to a DNP for nurses who have a BSN or master’s degree in nursing or a related field, as well as a Ph.D. program that can be taken on a full- or part-time basis with online classwork available.
Learn more about Maryland DNP Programs.