PRN Nursing Jobs in Massachusetts: Ultimate Guide [2024]

Nurses and nursing assistants in Massachusetts can find a wide range of information related to living and working in this state. Also, learn where and how to find high-paying, flexible PRN nursing jobs in Massachusetts.

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The following chart shows the mean RN, LPN, and CNA wages in the Bay State.

The Bay State has made essential contributions to the country, such as the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell. Plus, this Eastern State is the home of some prestigious universities, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). 

The following chart shows the mean annual wages for nursing professionals in the different metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas in Massachusetts:

The table shows how much RNs, LPNs, and CNAs make in the Bay State. It also unveils the metropolitan areas with the highest average salaries for RNs, LPNs, and CNAs.  

For nursing professionals, according to the Commonwealth Fund, the Bay State has the country’s best overall health system score.

In addition, Massachusetts is an excellent place for nurses since it is among the best-paying states for registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs). Furthermore, RN job opportunities have a projected growth rate of 12.2 percent, and LPN jobs have a projected growth rate of 6.7 percent between 2020 and 2030 in the state. Therefore, you may find various opportunities in this state if you are looking for PRN nursing jobs. 

RN, LPN, and CNA salary information throughout this guide comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and living wage information is from the MIT Living Wage Calculator (most recent data as of April 2024).

PRN Nursing Jobs in Massachusetts

The following list shows direct links to PRN nursing jobs in different cities by metropolitan areas in Massachusetts:

Boston - Cambridge - Newton Metropolitan Statistical Area

Essex County

• Beverly 
• Haverhill
• Lawrence
• Newburyport

Middlesex County

• Concord
• Lowell
• Melrose

Norfolk County

• Needham
• Stoughton

Suffolk County

• Boston

Plymouth County

• Brockton

Worcester Metropolitan Statistical Area

Worcester County

• Hopedale
• Milford
• Gardner
• Rochdale
• Worcester

Barnstable Town Metropolitan Statistical Area

Barnstable County

• Buzzards Bay
• Falmouth
• Hyannis
• Harwich
• Mashpee

Providence - Warwick Metropolitan Statistical Area

Bristol County

• Norton
• Taunton
• Fall River

Pittsfield Metropolitan Statistical Area

Berkshire County

• Lenox
• Becket
• Pittsfield
• Great Barrington

Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area

Hampden County

• Holyoke

How Much Do Nurses in Massachusetts Make? 

How much nurses make in the state can vary from one work setting to another. It’s helpful to know the average wage in Massachusetts to know what to expect when looking for a job.

What Is the Cost of Living in Massachusetts?

As a nursing professional, now you know how much you can make on average in Massachusetts. Moreover, you must know how much you need to cover your basic expenses in the Bay State.

If you are single and don’t have kids, you must earn $27.89 per hour working full-time to cover your needs. Furthermore, if you are living with a partner, you both must make $18.33 per hour; if just one person works, you must make $36.65 per hour.

It is essential to emphasize that these average living costs do not consider the added expenses of supporting children or other dependents.

What Are Some of the Best Hospitals in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has an excellent healthcare system, meaning hospitals and other medical centers provide Bay Staters with high-quality healthcare services. 

Furthermore, working in Massachusetts offers nurses excellent opportunities to build strong nursing skills. The following list shows some of the best hospitals in Massachusetts:

• Brigham and Women’s Hospital: This teaching hospital has ranked among the top hospitals in the Bay State and ranks nationally in various adult specialties.
• Massachusetts General Hospital: Mass General boasts the most extensive hospital-based research in the United States. Furthermore, the teaching hospital has the most advanced research to provide patients with the latest treatments.
• Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: Focusing on patients, this academic medical center offers treatments with cutting-edge technologies to provide high-quality healthcare services. Moreover, this hospital is part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, a healthcare system that joins hospitals, medical centers, and other healthcare centers that have the mission to help evolve the practice of medicine through research and teaching.
• UMass Memorial Medical Center: Located in Worcester, this medical center provides high-quality healthcare to people seeking excellence in every aspect of care.
• Tufts Medical Center: Located in Boston, this teaching hospital ranks among the best in different adult specialties.

Massachusetts has an extensive healthcare system where nurses can find emergency room (ER), intensive care unit (ICU), telemetry (tele), and medical-surgical (medsurg) jobs. 

Which Are Some of the Best RN Programs in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts is home to great nursing schools for aspiring registered nurses. However, you must be sure that the Massachusetts Board of Nursing accredits your chosen program.

The following list shows some of the best RN programs in the Bay State:

• Worcester State University: Since 1974, this university has been preparing nurses with high standards. The university offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an RN-to-BSN program, and an LPN-to-BSN program. It also has relationships with various healthcare centers.
• Simmons University: Proudly boasting one of the first university-based nursing programs in the country, Simmons University offers BSN programs, a five-year BSN and Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and a two-year BSN-to-MSN program.
• Northeastern University: Among the top universities in Massachusetts, Northeastern University offers various conventional and accelerated nursing programs. This university trains nurses to meet the challenges of the field. 
• Boston College: This college offers a four-year BSN program that perfectly combines classroom time and clinical experience. 
• University of Massachusetts - Amherst: This school offers an accelerated BSN for people with bachelor’s degrees in non-nursing fields. The university also offers an online RN-to-BSN program.

You must meet all the additional state requirements once you complete your training and pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Furthermore, after obtaining your Massachusetts nursing license, you can use the RN license lookup tool for verification of your status. 

How to Obtain Health Insurance in Massachusetts

Being covered by insurance is essential to protect you and your family since you never know when you are going to need surgery or other expensive treatments, leaving you with bills that you can’t afford. You can see your eligibility to become a MassHealth member if you can’t afford other private insurance. 

What Are the Cheapest Cities in Massachusetts?

There are many reasons to live in Massachusetts since it has an excellent education system, the best healthcare system in the country, and a rich history and culture, among other things. 

However, some cities in the Bay State are much more affordable than others. Knowing which cities are the cheapest can help you to decide where you can live more comfortably according to your income and expenses.

The following list shows some of the cheapest cities in Massachusets:

• Worcester is a great city to raise a family or live by yourself. It has affordable housing, good schools, and diverse entertainment activities. 
• Fall River is rich in history and culture. This city has had cultural diversity since it was a textile manufacturing hub. It is also known for its Battleship Cove, which has the most extensive World War II naval vessel collection.
• Springfield is among the most populated cities in Massachusetts and was Abraham Lincoln’s home. The city is affordable compared to other metro areas and has plenty of activities to do with family or on your own.  
• Taunton is one of the oldest towns in the country and is an excellent place to live with your family since it has quality education, various cultural events, and beautiful landscapes.
• Brockton is among the best suburbs in Boston, and it has beautiful nature. It offers an excellent balance between affordability and quality of life.

Climate and Population in MA

The Bay State is located in the country’s northeast and has different landscapes, from mountains in the west to the Cape Cod Peninsula in the east. Massachusetts has a humid climate with warm summers and cold winters with year-round precipitation.

Summers can vary from 70F to 90F, and winters range from freezing to lower temperatures. In the fall season, the temperature goes from 50F to 70F. Furthermore, the average annual snowfall is about 43.3 inches in Massachusetts’s capital. 

The coastal part of the Bay State is warmer in winter than in the higher-elevation areas. However, the coast tends to be more humid, with more precipitation throughout winter. Massachusetts is in the line of fire for hurricanes and tropical storms. Therefore, residents in this state must have emergency plans year-round.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the Bay State has 7,001,399 inhabitants. It ranked seventh among the nine northeast states in population growth from 2022 to 2023. Boston has the largest population (650,706), followed by Worcester (205,319) and Springfield (154,064).

What Are Some Things to Do in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has various activities for all interests. The following list shows some fun things to do in the Bay State:

• Battleship Cove is an excellent option if you like history and battleships. The tour allows you to relive the best days of this floating fortress. 
• Greater Merrimack Valley offers opportunities to enjoy classical, jazz, and chamber music concerts. Furthermore, you can visit Merrimack Repertory Theater to see a play. 
• Seekonk Grand Prix is one of the best options for spending time with the little ones in the family because of its race track, bumper cars, and mini golf. 
• Caffe Vittoria is the perfect stop for coffee lovers to enjoy a traditional Italian coffee with pastries. This coffee shop also has various liquors, so Caffe Vittoria has something for every taste.
• The Berkshire region is one of the best options for people who like to spend time in nature, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and, in winter, skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding. Berkshire has activities throughout the year.
• The Museum of Fine Arts Boston is among the country’s most important and largest museums. You will be amazed by its more than 100 art galleries.

How to Find PRN Shifts near You

Technology makes finding PRN RN, LPN, and CNA nursing jobs in Massachusetts easier and faster, with higher compensation and more flexibility. 

Nursa is an open market for nurses and nursing assistants to find the PRN shifts that suit them best according to their lifestyle, time, and preferences. PRN shifts are fixed-time slots whereby hospitals and other healthcare facilities contract clinicians for specific hours.

The difference between these jobs and staff positions is that PRN nurses who pick up jobs with Nursa are independent contractors who can choose when and where to work. They enjoy more flexibility in their schedules and earn higher hourly payments. In addition, if a nurse doesn’t like the setting of a PRN job, they can choose a different facility for their next shift. 

To enjoy all the benefits described above, download Nursa or open it in your browser. Sign up, upload your nursing credentials for verification, and start looking for your first PRN shift. 

Sources:

• Projection Central: Long-Term Occupational Projections (2020-2030)
• MIT Living Wage Calculator: Massachusetts