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Nursing and Healthcare Schools by State |
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Massachusetts Nursing and Healthcare Schools
Shortages in Health Care
Massachusetts is very concerned about the issues affecting health care services in their state. As well, Massachusetts is greatly concerned about obtaining a sufficient amount of health care professionals to meet the needs of their communities.
According to the Department of Workforce Development, the health care field is currently the largest industry in Massachusetts as far as job vacancy and demand. Presently there are more than 16,200 job vacancies in health care related services. All of these positions need to be filled by qualified health care professionals. Although there are 165,000 unemployed residents seeking work here in Massachusetts, over 1/3rd of these residents lack basic educational skills; skills in reading, writing , math and science. The demand for trained Nurses and other health care workers have increased by 17.5% in the last year alone. This number is expected to increase substantially over the next ten years, and expected to continue through the next 20 years.
Job Security and Demand
Many of Massachusetts current health care workers will be reaching retirement ages. While the population here in Massachusetts continues to grow, the amount of elderly residents populating Massachusetts also raises a great concern as these "Baby Boomers" will require long term health care services in their latter years; care that at this time, is just not sufficiently available.
The Massachusetts Workforce Board Association has coordinated a program to work along side health care employers who serve in our state. Hospitals, Home Health Care Agencies, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Comprehensive Health Care Facilities are working together with the Department of Labor to address these shortages in health care professionals. Recruitment efforts are being made, however health care employers continue to struggle to find qualified individuals to fill these many high demand positions.
Massachusetts is especially in need of a numerous amount of Registered Nurses, LPN=s and RN=s trained in Critical Care. There is a growing need for radiology and other medical technicians. There is also a high demand for Occupational Therapy, Physical and Speech Therapists, Rehabilitation Services, Respiratory Care, and Dietitians. All of these are high vacancy and high demand positions, not only by Hospitals, but also by Home Health Care Agencies, Skilled Nursing Facilities, and Private Practices. Competitive wages and benefits are enormously increasing among the health care employee workforce; as facilities compete for those trained personnel. This is actually a great opportunity for those entering the health care field, either as a LPN, Registered Nurse or other Health care Professional.
Training Opportunities
Programs are available to assist in educational expenses. Loan Repayment Programs, Scholarships, and Workforce Development Programs, that allow current employees to take time off to gain extra skills and education that will allow them to advance in their current field. The Incumbent Worker Training Program is also available in Massachusetts. This program allows the employers to actually pay educational expenses for their employed Nurses. Special funding is provided to health care employers for this purpose. This program allows Certified Nurses, LPNs and Registered Nurses to enhance their training so employers can promote within their facility, while leaving the lesser positions open for those just entering the nursing field. This is a great opportunity for those wanting to stay employed and still get the educational training needed to quickly advance in their health care careers!
Salaries
Salaries and benefits differ from facility to facility, depending on size, number of employees, as well as experience and educational training. Below are average salaries paid in Massachusetts for health care professionals. These positions are in high demand and waiting to be filled.
- Dietician $35,368 - $38,564
- LPN $39,833 - $47,520
- Radiology Technologists $51,939 - $64,578
- Rehabilitation Therapy $58,073 - $67,769
- Respiratory Therapist $59,939 - $64,587
- Staff RN $67,802 - $73,347
- Speech Therapist $74,384 - $109,698
- Emergency Room $75,162 - $107,776
- ICU $76,483 - $113,481
- Occupational Health $82,958 - $92,322
- Head RN $84,772 - $102,728
- Nurse Practitioner $97,186 - $102,548
- Pharmacists $116,156 - $121,810
Campus Based
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Bay State College has campuses in Boston, Gloucester, and Middleboro. It offers career courses in the following areas. Some courses can even be taken during night time education.
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Online |
The College Network - Offers a wide variety of online nursing classes that are available to you from anywhere in the United States.
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Online  |
Kaplan University is one of the United States leading universities for online healthcare degrees. Business, Nursing, and Allied Healthcare programs are all offered.
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Campus Based
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Branford Hall Career Institute has a campus in Springfield and offers healthcare programs in:
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Online  |
Walden University - Professional degrees programs available online in a variety of healthcare and nursing fields.
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Online and Campus Based
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Bryman Institute, with campuses in Brighton and Chelsea, offers courses online and campus based. Some of the courses offered are in the following areas:
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Online
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Gonzaga University - Masters degree programs available online from anywhere in the United States!
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Campus Based
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Lincoln Technical Institute has campuses in Lowell, Brockton, and Somerville.
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| Allied Health |
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Start a career in the allied health industry. Classes in medical assistant, lab technician, surgical technician, dental assistant, and much more...Allied Health Courses  |