Also known as the “Old Line State”, Maryland borders Virginia and Washington, D.C. to its south, Pennsylvania to its north, and Delaware to its east. It is one of the smallest states in the region and, with a population of about 6 million, is also one of the most densely populated. Nevertheless, there are plenty of nursing schools in Maryland.
The state has captivating tourist attractions like the Inner Harbor and the National Aquarium in Baltimore, as well as the famous Camden Yards baseball stadium. Ocean City is a renowned tourist destination that booms during the summers. The state is home to the Star-Spangled Banner Trail and the famous Chesapeake Bay.
Nursing Education in Maryland
If you are in the state as a nursing student, you will find it worthwhile to spend some time in the state’s mountain trails while also enjoying the beautiful beaches. The state suffers shortages of nurse professionals and makes it ideal to enroll at one of the region’s nursing schools.
Being in an accredited Maryland nursing school will ensure you get the training needed in the field and put you in demand for your expertise by hospitals and schools. You can also enroll in an online nursing program through one of the state’s institutions that promote and offer a platform for long-distance learning.
Some of the specialty tracks available at Maryland’s accredited nursing schools include adult-gerontology care, community health, family nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery (CNM), nursing administration, OB/GYN, pediatrics, and psychiatric/mental health.
The University of Maryland School of Nursing is one of the state’s largest and most established nursing programs, offering degrees from the BSN through the DNP and PhD. Other accredited universities in Maryland that offer nursing training include Towson University, Salisbury University, Howard Community College, and Frederick Community College.
Featured programs
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing is consistently ranked among the top nursing schools nationally by U.S. News & World Report, including a top-five ranking for its online graduate nursing programs. It is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
At Johns Hopkins, the entry-level degree for non-nurses is an MSN, which aims to prepare top patient-care nurses with an emphasis on readiness for leadership. Applicants for the MSN degree must already hold a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of at least 3.0 and be able to evidence completion of several prerequisite courses.
The university also offers a joint MSN/MBA, several post-master’s certificates, and a variety of doctoral programs.
525 N. Wolfe Street
Baltimore, Maryland
410-955-4766
Website: https://nursing.jhu.edu/index.html
Salisbury University School of Nursing
Salisbury University’s BSN programs include a traditional 4-year BSN, a 3-semester accelerated BSN, and a two year part-time BSN completion program for existing RNs. The summer Nurse Extern work-study program is a highlight of the BSN program. Students are matched with an experienced RN for a 10-week paid clinical experience worth 3 credits. In addition, SU offers two MSN tracks and an RN to MSN option. SU nursing programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Students are admitted to SU first for general education courses and must subsequently apply for selective entry to the nursing program. A minimum GPA of 3.0 across general education courses is required, however, the average GPA of accepted candidates is closer to 3.7. SU nursing graduates have consistently significantly out-performed the state and US average in the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.
1101 Camden Avenue
Salisbury, MD 21801
410-543-6000
Website: http://www.salisbury.edu/
Towson University School of Nursing
There are three CCNE-accredited BSN options available to aspiring students at Towson. Candidates without a first degree can apply for a traditional BSN or there are two-degree completion options which are based on an innovative and flexible curriculum. The first is an RN-to-BSN route and the second an associate to bachelor’s (ATB) track.
Prospective students for the traditional BSN must complete general education requirements first and have a GPA of 3.0. The RN to BSN program builds on previous learning and allows up to 90 credits of prior coursework to be transferred.
The associate to bachelor’s nursing track is a collaborative initiative between Towson and Maryland Community Colleges. Only students admitted to a participating community college partner are eligible for the ATB track.
8000 York Road
Towson, MD 21252
410-704-2000
Website: https://www.towson.edu/
University of Maryland School of Nursing
UMSON students have easy access to a variety of clinical placements and can choose to take classes in Baltimore or at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville. The school’s graduate nursing programs consistently rank among the top nursing schools nationally in the U.S. News & World Report rankings, and the nursing program overall is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
The school ethos prizes scientific inquiry and offers students access to 28 clinical simulation labs to support their learning and scientific exploration. Prospective students can choose from a broad selection of nursing programs including a traditional BSN, an online RN-to-BSN, an MSN for holders of other first degrees that leads to designation as a Clinical Nurse Leader, several MSN concentrations, a joint MSN/MBA, a joint MSN/MPH, eight DNP options, a PhD route, and a variety of post-masters certificates.
620 W. Lexington Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-706-3100
Website: http://www.umaryland.edu/
Maryland Board of Nursing Approved Schools
Several Maryland institutions have changed names since older nursing directories were compiled, so the same school can appear under two different entries depending on the source. Columbia Union College became Washington Adventist University in 2009, Coppin State College became Coppin State University in 2004, Villa Julie College became Stevenson University in 2008, and the College of Notre Dame of Maryland became Notre Dame of Maryland University in 2011. The listings below use current names.
Bowie State University School of Nursing Location: Bowie, Maryland Programs: BSN, MSN Founded In: 1865 Accreditation Body: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN) Website: http://www.bowiestate.edu
Coppin State University, Helene Fuld School of Nursing Location: Baltimore, Maryland Programs: BSN, MSN Founded In: 1900 Accreditation Body: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN) Website: https://www.coppin.edu
The Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing Location: Baltimore, Maryland Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD Founded In: 1876 Accreditation Body: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN) Website: http://www.jhmi.edu
Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Nursing Location: Baltimore, Maryland Programs: BSN Founded In: 1873 Accreditation Body: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN) Website: https://ndm.edu
Salisbury University School of Nursing Location: Salisbury, Maryland Programs: BSN, MSN Founded In: 1925 Accreditation Body: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Website: http://www.salisbury.edu
Stevenson University School of Nursing Location: Stevenson, Maryland Programs: BSN Founded In: 1947 Accreditation Body: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN) Website: https://www.stevenson.edu
Towson University School of Nursing Location: Towson, Maryland Programs: BSN, MSN Founded In: 1866 Accreditation Body: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) Website: http://www.towson.edu
University of Maryland School of Nursing Location: Baltimore, Maryland Programs: BSN, MSN, PhD Founded In: 1807 Accreditation Body: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN) Website: http://www.umaryland.edu
Washington Adventist University School of Nursing Location: Takoma Park, Maryland Programs: BSN Founded In: 1904 Accreditation Body: Accreditation Commission For Education in Nursing (ACEN) Website: https://www.wau.edu
Related guide
For admissions requirements, program costs, and how to choose the right program, read our full guide to Nursing schools in Maryland: programs, requirements, and NLC status.