Massachusetts Nursing Apprenticeship Network (MNAN)

The Massachusetts Nursing Apprenticeship Network (MNAN) is a statewide initiative of the Nursing Council on Workforce Sustainability (NCWS) that supports the development, registration, and implementation of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and Registered Nurse (RN) apprenticeships across the Commonwealth. MNAN works at the intersection of education, workforce development, and healthcare delivery to expand access to the nursing profession while strengthening employer pipelines and long-term workforce stability.MNAN-supported apprenticeships are registered through the Massachusetts Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) and are built as formal partnerships between academic institutions and healthcare organizations. These programs combine paid, employer-based on-the-job training with related technical instruction and academic coursework, creating structured “earn-and-learn” pathways into nursing.

Apprenticeships are competency-driven and hour-based—typically totaling 2,000 hours—while remaining flexible enough to align with academic schedules, clinical requirements, and organizational needs.By serving as a technical resource, intermediary, and convener, MNAN helps organizations navigate regulatory requirements, align apprenticeship design with nursing education and licensure standards, and implement programs that are scalable, compliant, and sustainable. Through this work, MNAN advances equitable access to nursing careers, strengthens employer retention, and supports a more resilient nursing workforce for Massachusetts. 

How MNAN Can Help

MNAN provides end-to-end support to organizations seeking to create or expand nursing apprenticeships, including:

• Building and registering nursing apprenticeships:
  Designing LPN and RN apprenticeship programs and managing registration with the Massachusetts Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
• Developing technical guidance and program blueprints:
  Providing structured frameworks, competency alignment, scope-of-practice guidance, and policy considerations tailored to nursing apprenticeships.
• Analyzing and reporting apprenticeship growth and outcomes:
  Supporting data collection, reporting, and analysis to track apprenticeship participation, progression, and workforce impact.
• Fostering connections with state and national experts:
  Convening employers, academic partners, regulators, and workforce leaders to share best practices and accelerate program development.

Below is a video that describes how the NCWS can support organizations in establishing nursing apprenticeships.