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Accelerated Nursing Programs in New York City (NYC): Fast-Track ABSN Degrees

Learn everything you need to know about accelerated nursing programs in NYC that can help you turn your current bachelor’s into a BSN degree in as little as a year.

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If you already have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than nursing but want to become a registered nurse, accelerated nursing programs in NYC are the perfect option. These programs focus on giving you the nursing training you need to qualify for the NCLEX-RN exam and become a licensed nurse in New York quickly.

This guide provides an overview of how these programs work and includes a list of top-quality online and campus programs to get you started on your school search. It also discusses admissions requirements and accreditation, looks at some of the costs involved, and examines the job outlook for new nurses in the NYC area. Keep reading to take the first step towards a career in nursing through an accelerated nursing program in New York City.

Best Accredited Accelerated Nursing Programs in NYC

To help with your school search, take a look at these three best-in-class accelerated nursing programsin NYC. The profiles below cover some of the most important criteria for selection: affordability, accreditation, and strong curricula. These schools provide the student support and high-quality programming you need to begin your new nursing career. Keep reading to find out who stands out and what they offer.

Pace University

Pace University offers an accelerated BSN program through its Westchester and NYC campuses. Designed for college graduates who don’t have nursing degrees, the program helps aspiring professionals move into a nursing career through one full year of intensive study. Prospective students must satisfy key prerequisites in chemistry, psychology, and human anatomy and physiology. Administered by Pace’s College of Health Professions, the program maintains accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and requires 52 credits.

Once admitted, students receive instruction in key areas required for licensure, with courses in clinical management and psychiatric health, professional ethics and conduct, nursing leadership, gerontology, and pathophysiology. Students also can take graduate-level courses that offer additional preparation for future study and advancement. Like many NYC accelerated nursing programs, Pace University uses a competitive admissions process and caps incoming classes at 80 students.

Hunter College, City University of New York

Hunter College’s School of Nursing administers a 51-credit accelerated second-degree nursing program ideal for professionals in transition. It provides a comprehensive and humanistic approach to healthcare by combining liberal arts foundations with professional nursing education. Most students graduate within 18 months and are fully eligible for the NCLEX exam and state-level licensure. The school’s plan of study includes winter and summer instruction as well as clinical rotation placements at area facilities. New students begin the program each fall and must complete course prerequisites by June 1 in the year they plan to matriculate.

The program curriculum begins with basic introductions to the field and nursing practice fundamentals. Students build technical knowledge in nursing research methods and health assessment techniques. They also look at public health, mental health, and how different life stages impact diagnosis and delivery of care. Those interested in further study or leadership roles can complete an advanced nursing degree or nursing leadership program.

New York University (NYU)

Second-career students in NYU’s Rory Meyers College of Nursing can earn an accelerated BSN in just 15 months. Applicants need an accredited bachelor’s degree and evidence of for-credit coursework in basics like developmental psychology, statistics, nutrition, and chemistry. The program requires 64 credits and prepares students for the NCLEX exam and state-level licensure. NYU delivers the program across four consecutive semesters of full-time study, including one summer term.

Students can take advantage of the school’s many externship programs with hospitals and healthcare centers across the country. During those externships, aspiring nurses implement the knowledge they’ve acquired through the school’s comprehensive curriculum in real-world settings. The core curriculum itself covers clinical practice, acute psychological care, pharmacotherapeutics, and contemporary issues in healthcare. NYU sets itself apart from other NYC accelerated nursing programs by offering electives in oncology nursing and emerging diseases.

What You’ll Learn in Accelerated Nursing Programs in New York City

What will you learn and when? Most programs split their curriculum into several parts with two main components: core coursework and hands-on clinical training. Coursework comes first, followed by supervised training. Find out more about each component and what you can expect.

1. Nursing Classes

Most accelerated NYC nursing programs provide a catalog of required courses and electives. These courses are designed to build the technical knowledge you’ll need to succeed in your new nursing career. They look at research methods, pharmacology, and a wide range of other applied topics. In some cases, you may be able to complete this component online or in a hybrid setting (more on this in a later section).

2. Clinical Training

In most instances this is a strictly in-person component, including online accelerated NYC nursing programs. Here you gain the vital hands-on experience necessary to provide quality, evidence-based care. Clinical training helps you put your new knowledge to work in hospitals, clinics, community treatment centers, and other facilities. In some cases you may need to complete certain clearances for clinical practice such as obtaining professional liability insurance and CPR certification.

3. General Education Coursework and Prerequisites

Most of these programs expect incoming students to have completed most general education coursework requirements–which is good news as a second-degree learner because you’ll be able to transfer those credits. You may need to complete additional prerequisites, depending on your academic background. Schools like the College of Mount Saint Vincent include opportunities to complete those requirements (and general ed courses too, in some cases).

FAQs About Accelerated Nursing Programs in NYC

How long is an accelerated nursing program in New York City?

These programs significantly reduce the traditional four-year timeframe for completion. Because they forgo general education instruction and require prerequisites for admission, NYC accelerated nursing programsfocus your studies on nursing-specific skills and knowledge. Some schools, like Stony Brook School of Nursing, graduate new nursing professionals in just 12 months. Most programs extend that ambitious timetable by a few months, with graduation in the 14-18 month range. The programs at Adelphi University, State University of New York(SUNY) Downstate, Long Island University Brooklyn, and Mercy College offer good examples of what you can expect in terms of length for an accelerated nursing program in NYC.

How many of my current bachelor’s degree credits can be transferred to my New York City accelerated nursing program?

Most, if not all, of your credits will transfer to these programs, depending on the school’s individual policy. Virtually all accelerated NYC nursing programs require an accredited bachelor’s degree. For example, the program at SUNY Downstate calls for at least 65 credits. In most cases, your study will involve 50-60 credits of intensive nursing classes and clinical rotations. Prerequisites and remaining credits can be applied via transfer. These programs usually treat incoming students as transfer applicants. Individual schools follow different policies and procedures, so it’s best to check with program administrators well in advance for the most up-to-date information.

How much do BSN programs in New York City cost?

Expenses and overall cost are big factors to consider when assessing potential schools. Tuition rates vary quite a bit and fluctuate each year. Use the list below to get a better sense of the costs involved. The type of school (public vs. private), your enrollment status, and where you plan to live all have a big impact on the cost of your education.

Manhattanville College

Accelerated Second Degree Program

Total Credits: 61

$900/credit

SUNY Downstate

Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree Program

Total Credits: 60

$295/credit (in-state resident) $708/credit (out-of-state resident)

Stony Brook School of Nursing

Accelerated Baccalaureate Program

Total Credits: 69

$295/credit (in-state resident)

$1,031/credit (out-of-state resident)

What are the admission requirements for accelerated nursing programs in New York City?

Despite minor individual differences, these programs use the same admissions criteria as for first-time students and call for similar application materials. You’ll need evidence of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. Most programs don’t ask for degrees in a specific field and don’t expect students to have nursing experience. However, they do call for prerequisite courses that must be completed for full consideration. Typically these include:

  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Chemistry (including a lab)
  • Microbiology
  • Statistics
  • General Psychology or Human Development

In addition, it’s worth noting that most accelerated NYC nursing programs are competitive. Some schools may specify an ideal GPA range for incoming students.

How do I know if an accelerated New York City BSN program is of high quality?

Generally, you should look for state-level approval and accreditation first and then consider personal preferences. The Office of Professions oversees the nursing licensure process for New York and sets education requirements. New nurses must meet those requirements, and a big part of that is attending a program with proper approval. Beyond state approval, quality NYC accelerated nursing programs hold accreditation from organizations like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Can I get financial aid to help pay for my accelerated nursing program in New York City?

Yes, financial aid is available for nursing students in New York City. The first and most likely place to look is individual programs. Many schools offer scholarships and grants to students. These awards often cover more costs and are more widely available. The Office of Professions for New York state also maintains a resource guide for new nursing students that includes scholarship, grant, and student loan opportunities. For more information, including advice on how to successfully apply, see our financial page and our scholarship guide for nursing students.

Inside Look at Online Accelerated Nursing Programs in New York City

If a program has online or hybrid elements, typically these will be during the coursework portion of your program. In these instances, you may not even need to visit campus at all. Instead of commuting or relocating, flexible online courses allow you to concentrate on developing new nursing knowledge.

This doesn’t mean that the entirety of your program will be online, however. NYC online accelerated nursing programs still require in-person attendance for all clinical training components. These placements normally occur with area partners–clinics, treatment centers, and such–but most schools can accommodate a variety of circumstances. For more information on what to expect, see the main online accelerated nursing programs page.

Examples of Quality Online Accelerated Nursing Programs in NYC

Utica College

Utica College administers a hybrid accelerated BSN program that eligible students can complete in just 16 months. The program doesn’t use a waitlist and accepts new students at three different start times throughout the year. Experienced faculty and practitioners facilitate the learning, offering a patient-centered approach to nursing education and training. Students leave the program ready for the NCLEX exam and to obtain state licensure.

Curriculum for this online accelerated NYC nursing programincludes fundamental coursework and clinical placements throughout the Empire State. The school provides state-of-the-art technology to support learning, including intuitive technologies for hybrid coursework. Recent course offerings include perioperative nursing practice, healthcare informatics, pharmacology, and nutrition for nursing. Once coursework is complete, students move to the in-person portion of the program, which includes integrative components designed to prepare aspiring nurses for evidence-based practice in a range of settings.

Felician University

Felician University’s hybrid accelerated nursing program accepts students with at least 60 transferable credits in general education and preparatory subjects like science and math. The program uses an intensive sequence model and delivers all coursework online. Students use a robust learning management system to access material and interact with classmates and faculty. The curriculum provides a holistic introduction to nursing practice in all its aspects–from childcare and professional ethics to holistic health assessment and pathophysiology. The program also involves real-world clinical experience, including bedside training with patients in a range of medical facilities.

The school’s faculty lineup brings years of extensive professional experience, providing learning modules that cultivate evidence-based knowledge. Core courses cover a range of applied topics in adult care, behavioral health, leadership and management, pharmacotherapy, and nursing research methods. Clinical components occur within partner organizations in the Atlantic Health System.

Salaries for BSN Nurses in New York City

New York City is one of the top metropolitan areas for nursing professionals and continues to see some of the highest levels of employment for registered nurses in particular. According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the annual mean wage for RNs in the NYC metro area is $93,280, a 6% improvement on the average for New York state. Those earnings also outpace the national average of $77,460 by over 20%.

BSN degree-holders in the greater NYC area benefit from similar salary numbers. Entry-level salaries vary widely, and the average annual wage for those with a BSN across the state is currently $94,296. With the highest BSN-level earners bringing home over $160,000, graduates of NYC accelerated nursing programs have plenty of room for pay increases as they accrue professional experience.