Worcester State University has begun accepting qualified Anna Maria nursing students into its prestigious undergraduate nursing program for fall 2026.
The acceptances ensure that Anna Maria students have a pathway to complete their baccalaureate education at a time when the state faces a dire shortage of nurses. Worcester State’s competitive and highly regarded nursing program consistently ranks among the best in Massachusetts.
The first acceptance letters went out this week to Anna Maria nursing students who meet Worcester State’s BSN requirements. The university will continue to prioritize reviewing and processing nursing program applications, said Worcester State Vice President for Enrollment Management Dr. Ryan Forsythe. Nursing students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for consideration by visiting Worcester State’s dedicated Anna Maria online resource hub.
“We know Anna Maria nursing students have worked incredibly hard to get where they are today,” he said. “We are prioritizing the acceptance of Anna Maria’s qualified nursing students for a seamless and supportive transition to degree completion. We are confident that we can serve Anna Maria nursing students well and look forward to welcoming them to campus.”
This past April, Anna Maria College in Paxton, Mass. announced it would cease academic operations at the end of the spring semester. Worcester State has partnered with the college to offer its students in good academic standing guaranteed transfer.
Worcester State similarly supported the transfer of more than 70 nursing students when Becker College closed in 2021. Many of those students have now graduated and are working in healthcare.
Worcester State’s Lillian R. Goodman Department of Nursing has been twice named the best in the state by RegisteredNursing.org. The department also maintains close partnerships with hospitals and clinics across central Massachusetts, giving students easy access to internships and other experiential learning opportunities. At the same time, Worcester State’s ability to educate more nursing students is especially important now, as the state contends with a nursing shortage.
