LA PLATA, Md. — As Maryland’s healthcare sector continues to expand and face mounting workforce challenges, the College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is positioning itself as a key pipeline for skilled nurses ready to serve Southern Maryland communities.
The college’s Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program has been ranked second best in Maryland by PracticalNursing.org, a leading resource for prospective nursing students. Evaluators highlighted the program’s accreditation, curriculum quality, high exam pass rates, affordability, flexible scheduling for adult learners, graduation rates, and strong job placement outcomes.
CSM’s Practical Nursing Certificate program achieved a perfect 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN) for the class of 2023, according to college data. The program combines classroom instruction, state-of-the-art lab simulations at the Hughesville campus Health Sciences Center, and hands-on clinical rotations in regional hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
Dean of the School of Health Sciences Dr. Caroline Combs emphasized the program’s impact.
“Our graduates are stepping into hospitals, clinics, and care centers to provide our community with essential care,” Combs said. “At CSM we are committed to holding our programs to a high academic standard to ensure students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and professionalism needed to enter this workforce with confidence.”
Healthcare and social assistance is Maryland’s largest industry, employing approximately 427,000 people — about 16% of all jobs in the state — and serving as the leading job creator in recent years, according to the Maryland Comptroller’s Office April 2026 industry report. Registered nurses make up the largest healthcare occupation, but demand continues to grow due to an aging population and increasing healthcare needs.
Southern Maryland is feeling this pressure acutely. St. Mary’s County is designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), indicating insufficient access to primary medical care, dental, and mental health providers in parts of the region. Similar challenges exist across rural counties, where the need for qualified nurses is rising.
“As community care needs evolve, our programs must evolve with it,” Combs said. “By working with our regional partners, we are strengthening the workforce pipeline and expanding opportunities for students to help address a growing need for qualified healthcare professionals.”
CSM offers both a Practical Nursing Certificate and an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN or NCLEX-RN exams. The programs emphasize patient-centered care, clinical judgment, and interprofessional collaboration. Previous Southern Maryland Chronicle reporting noted that CSM’s nursing programs successfully earned reaccreditation in 2025 from the Maryland Board of Nursing and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), affirming their quality.
With flexible part-time options and multiple scholarship opportunities, the programs are designed to accommodate working adults seeking to enter or advance in the nursing field. Starting salaries for LPNs in the region often range around $55,000, while RNs can expect higher compensation, according to labor data.
As Maryland’s population ages and healthcare demands intensify, institutions like CSM play a critical role in training the next generation of caregivers. The college’s strong NCLEX performance and practical focus position its graduates to help fill critical gaps in local hospitals, clinics, and community care settings.
Prospective students can find more information on admission requirements, course details, and application deadlines on the CSM nursing program website.
