Guide to Top Nursing Schools in New York City
Launch or advance your professional nursing career with a degree from one of the top nursing programs in NYC. This guide highlights the best program and gives information on degree types, income potential, and more.
With greater access to healthcare and an aging American population, there is a growing need for more nurses particularly in New York. Then there are unexpected factors that can lead to steep rise in the demand for nurses in New York. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, job postings for temporary nurse positions in the state increased by eight times with pay for those positions nearly doubling. Though a temporary increase, staff nursing shortages in New York will likely continue into the next decade, making now the perfect time to start or advance your nursing career in New York City.
This guide highlights the best nursing school in NYC and helps you find characteristics of what makes a campus or online program perfect for your career goals and academic needs. You’ll find details on the different types of degree and certificate programs, advice on how to pay for your education, and data showing you what to expect regarding employment and salary potential. Keep reading to see which school made it onto our list.
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College
New York, New York
Public
Types of Nursing Programs Available in New York City
There is a plethora of nursing programs out there, so understanding the many nursing degrees and certificate options available from nursing schools in NYC can be confusing. We’ve put together the following descriptions to explain the different types of programs available to help you figure out what program is best for meeting your personal and career goals.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in NYC
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN/ASN/AASN)
An associate degree in nursing provides one of the quickest routes to gaining the knowledge, skills, and clinical hours needed to become an RN for students with no previous college or nursing experience. Associate degrees typically require two years of full-time study and are usually found at community colleges.
Examples of NYC Nursing Schools with this Program
Borough of Manhattan Community College
College of Staten Island
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
Traditional BSN programs are for students with little or no previous college and no professional nursing experience seeking to become licensed RNs, but also want a more comprehensive level of education. Registered nurses with BSN degrees are often seen as more qualified to prospective employers than RNs at the ASN level. One reason is because BSN-prepare RNs will have taken more general education and advanced-theory healthcare courses. Traditional BSN programs are mostly found at four-year colleges and universities and full-time students can expect to earn their degree in about four years.
Examples of NYC Nursing Schools with this Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated or second-degree BSN programs provide an efficient path to RN licensure for students with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. Accelerated BSN programs involve around 50 credits and include the nursing coursework and in-person clinical hours needed to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Program lengths vary but most require 15 months to two years.
Examples of NYC Nursing Schools with this Program
Direct-Entry MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs prepare students for leadership roles in healthcare administration, healthcare instruction, and advanced clinical practice in specialized nursing fields. Track options include nursing education, nursing leadership, and clinical practice along with nurse practitioner specializations leading to NP certification. MSN students attend classes online or on-campus and complete substantial clinical practice hours. To better accommodate working students, these clinical practicums can often be completed at the students’ current places of employment.
The direct-entry MSN is for individuals with non-nursing bachelor’s or graduate degrees who want to become RNs and obtain advanced practice and leadership training in the same program. Because incoming students have little to no prior training in nursing, the curriculums of direct-entry MSN programs include substantial in-person clinical practice hours. Students will also receive the necessary instruction to take and pass licensing and certification exams, such as the NCLEX-RN exam and those needed to practice as nurse practitioners. Because of the varies backgrounds of students, program lengths can vary from 15 months to two years.
Examples of NYC Nursing Schools with this Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in New York City for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN programs are for current practical nurses interested in becoming RNs. LPN to RN students earn nursing associate (ADN, ASN, AASN) degrees as well as complete the coursework and clinical hours needed to take the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain RN licensure. LPN to BSN graduates also earn BSN degrees.
Examples of NYC Nursing Schools with this Program
RN to BSN Programs
A staple of many college and university nursing schools, RN to BSN programs are for licensed RNs wishing to expand their nursing knowledge and skills while increasing their attractiveness in the job market by earning BSN degrees. RN to BSN programs typically take 30 credit hours of nursing coursework, which is combined with previous college credits and credits awarded for possession of an RN license to make up the total needed (typically around 120) for a bachelor’s degree. Many programs are 100% online given how students will already have completed their clinical training necessary to become RNs.
Examples of New York City Nursing Schools with this Program
Lehman College (CUNY)
New York City College of Technology (CUNY)
RN to MSN Programs
RN to MSN programs are for currently RNs with either nursing diplomas or associate degrees who want to earn MSNs without first obtaining BSNs. RN to MSN programs are usually presented in part-time formats to accommodate working RNs, but some schools accommodate full-time students. Completion times range from 3 ½ to 4 years. A non-nursing bachelor’s degree is typically required for admission.
Examples of New York City Nursing Schools with this Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in New York City
Traditional MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
Traditional MSN programs provide BSN degree holders with a direct path to a nursing master’s degree. They’re offered by several universities with graduate nursing programs, and curriculums are available in both full-time and part-time formats. Some programs offer fully online didactic coursework and most require substantial in-person clinical hours, especially for those interested in clinical specialties.
Examples of NYC Nursing Schools with This Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD Doctoral Programs
A DNP degree prepares nurses for top-level leadership roles in advanced clinical practice, nursing administration, and public policy/advocacy positions. DNP degree programs are typically offered in several nurse practitioner and other specialized nursing fields. The PhD is for nurses interested in careers in research and academics. Many nursing PhD graduates find themselves teaching the next generation of registered nurses. An MSN degree is typically required for both programs, though some feature BSN to doctorate formats. Completion times vary based on a student’s prior education and whether or not a dissertation must be completed.
Examples of NYC Nursing Schools with This Program
Columbia University
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
Post-graduate nursing certificates provide nurses with MSNs or above with coursework and training in specialized areas that deepen their professional knowledge and expands their career opportunities. But because graduates will only get a certificate and not a degree, they can receive their specialized education in less time and for less money. Certificates include NP and non-NP concentrations.
Examples of NYC Nursing Schools with This Program
Long Island University – Brooklyn
St. Joseph’s College New York
FAQs About Online Nursing Schools in New York City
Can I earn my nursing degree in New York City completely online?
It depends. Most RN to BSN programs and some post-graduate nursing certificate programs can be completed entirely online. However, all pre-RN licensure and nurse practitioner programs include substantial in-person clinical hour requirements.
Will my online New York City nursing degree be considered less valuable by employers?
Not at all. Nursing employers understand that properly accredited nursing degree and certificate programs often include online components and that these programs provide the same quality of education and training as their on-campus counterparts. What’s most important is that you possess a current RN from a fully accredited nursing school.
Are online nursing programs in New York City more affordable than campus programs?
They can be. Most nursing schools in NYC charge the same rates for their online programs as for their on-campus ones. Some, like Mercy College’s RN to BSN program, do offer reduced tuition rates for online students. Your total online program cost will likely be less than that for an on-campus program once you factor in savings from not traveling to and from campus.
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in NYC
Many funding resources are available to help qualifying NYC nursing students enrolled in properly accredited programs, the biggest of which is the federal student loan. Other financial aid resources include scholarships and grants, assistantships and fellowships (primarily for grad students), employer tuition assistance programs, and the GI Bill for active-duty military and veterans. NYC nursing students may also be eligible for a federal student loan repayment program.
NYSED also has additional scholarship opportunities, especially for registered nurses. Also check out EduMed’s financial aid and nursing scholarship guides for more information and advice on funding your nursing education.
How to Become an RN in New York City: Licensing Requirements
You must be licensed and registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to practice as an RN in New York City. To obtain your RN licensure, graduate from an accredited nursing program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Additional requirements are detailed on this NYSED Licensure Requirements: Registered Professional Nursing webpage. Also visit EduMed’s guide to nursing schools in New York State for more information and advice on becoming an RN in NYC.
Job Opportunities for RNs in New York City
The need for more RNs in the United States has exists for many years, and New York City has not been immune to this need. Then the pandemic hit, resulting in a critical shortage of nurses in New York. This resulted in skyrocketing demand and substantially higher salaries. Recent long-term figures from the U.S. Department of Labor estimate a whopping 25.5% increase in the number of RNs employed in New York State between 2022 and 2032 as compared to a national increase of 5.6%. Additionally, the New York State Department of Health estimates that about half of all of the state’s hospital beds and patients are in New York City. This means that around half of all new nursing staff in the state will be needed in New York City.
Given its tremendous size and population, dozens of major companies and facilities employ nurses in NYC. Among the biggest are New York Presbyterian Hospital, Northwell Health, NYU Langone Health, and the Mount Sinai Health System.
How Much You Could Make as an RN in New York City?
Are you excited about contributing to the healthcare field by becoming a registered nurse? Are you already a nurse looking to enhance your skills and knowledge for advancement? Either way, your efforts will significantly benefit your fellow New Yorkers. However, you might be uncertain about whether you'll achieve a good return on your tuition investment. To assist you in making this decision, we've compiled data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In the New York-Newark-Jersey City area, registered nurses earn an average of $108,540 per year. The lowest earners make $79,220, while the highest earners make $136,480. This is comparable to state figures. In New York State, the 10th percentile of earners makes $69,450 annually, while the 90th percentile of nurses makes $136,780. On average, RNs across the state earn $104,570.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $69,450 | $104,570 | $136,780 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $79,220 | $108,540 | $136,480 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Additional NYC Nursing Resources
American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) – New York City Chapter
The AACN is a professional association for staff nurses working in a variety of critical care nursing (acute care, CCU, ER, ICU, etc.) settings. It also welcomes clinical managers, department directors, education specialists, and nursing faculty members.
Black Nurses Association (BNA) – Greater NYC Chapter
The National Black Nurses Association is a professional association of 200,000 African American nurses in over 200 chapters worldwide. The association sponsors a variety of membership services and benefits including scholarship opportunities for student members.
The Brooklyn Nurses Association represents nursing professionals working in Brooklyn, the Tri-state area, and beyond. They advocate for healthcare education, promotion, and improvement for the citizens of Brooklyn. The B.N.A. sponsors an annual scholarship for RN students pursuing degrees in New York state.
Oncology Nursing Society – New York City Chapter
The ONS is a national professional association of over 35,000 members dedicated to the promotion of oncology nursing excellence and the transformation of cancer care. Its NYC Chapter website includes a member discussion board, event postings, and job postings.
Philippine Nurses Association of New York (PNANY)
PNANY is a constituent member of the Philippine Nurses Association of America. Its goal is to unite and advocate for the rights and interests of Filipino nurses in the state of New York City. Membership benefits include networking events and continuing education programs.
