Best Online & Campus RN to BSN Programs in New York - 2024

When nurses have higher levels of education, their patients have better outcomes—that’s the impetus behind New York’s BSN in 10 law. Signed into law in 2017, the new educational requirement helps nurses improve their skills in an increasingly complex healthcare system.

If you want to—or need to—earn a bachelor’s in nursing in New York, this guide will be an essential tool. First, learn about top RN to BSN programs in New York, then, get answers to some common questions prospective students have about paying for school, timelines, and ensuring that they choose a quality program. Finally, look at the basic salary and employment trends for nurses in New York (Spoiler alert: The news is good—very good).

Featured Nursing Schools: Popular RN to BSN Programs in New York

To help you continue your search, we’ve selected two popular RN to BSN programs in New York. We made our choices by evaluating factors such as affordability, academic excellence, and student support. Both programs are accredited and have high NCLEX-RN pass rates while boasting some of the most affordable costs in the state. The profiles highlight the features of each school’s RN to BSN program and detail credit hour requirements and tuition rates.

FAQs About New York RN to BSN Programs

How will an RN to BSN program in New York prepare me for more opportunities?

RN to BSN programs in New York focuses on building on the core of nursing knowledge established in your associate program. Upper-level nursing courses in areas such as community health, healthcare leadership, and research in nursing provide students with the skills to advance in their careers and help patients thrive. Clinical experiences in BSN programs such as those at SUNY Plattsburgh allow nurses to explore different areas of nursing and hone specific skills based on their areas of interest. Other programs, such as the one at SUNY Brockport, emphasize leadership and the application of research in nursing.

How long does it take to complete an RN to BSN program in New York?

RN to BSN programs in New York take one to two years. Some can be completed in as few as 10 months, and others are closer to 24 months. How quickly you get your degree depends on the number of credit hours you’ve completed and how many transfer hours the university accepts. Accelerated programs that fall in the 10- to 12-month range include SUNY Empire, New York Institute of Technology, Monroe College, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Hunter College, and Roberts Wesleyan College. Longer programs include Utica University at 20 months and SUNY Delhi and SUNY Plattsburgh at 24 months.

How affordable are RN to BSN programs in New York?

Any state universities (or city universities) in New York have set tuition rates at $3,535 per semester for in-state students. Therefore, the cost of these programs only varies based on a student’s timeline to complete them. Other programs that aren’t part of the state or city system range from $8,000 at the New York Institute of Technology to programs closer to $20,000 to $25,000 at private colleges or universities. Here’s a closer look at online RN to BSN programs in New York:

Is financial aid available to New York RN to BSN students?

First, check out our nursing scholarship guide for ideas on where to find funds. New York has a few options available specifically to nursing students. The Edna A. Lauterbach Scholarship provides up to $6,000 to RNs or LPNs wanting to further their education and careers in home and community-based care. Also, New York State Higher Education Services Corporation provides scholarship, grant, and financial aid information for New York students. For more information or general help, check out our financial aid guide.

What are the admission requirements for RN to BSN programs in New York?

All RN to BSN programs in New York require applicants to have an unencumbered nursing license and an associate degree in nursing. Programs typically require around 30 hours of nursing credits, and many allow the transfer of at least that many to the BSN program. Multiple programs also have a GPA requirement ranging from 2.5 at SUNY Plattsburgh all the way up to 3.2 at Hunter College. Some, such as SUNY Downstate, have a preferred GPA (in this case, 2.7).

In New York, what should I look for in a quality RN to BSN program?

Several factors indicate a high-quality RN to BSN nursing program in New York. One is that the program is approved by the New York Board of Nursing and accredited by either the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the CCNE. You can also dig in and look at NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates over the past several years. Beyond that, investigate course offerings and graduate success rates reported on the department pages.

Inside Look at RN to BSN Online Degree Programs in New York

Many programs in New York offer either fully online or hybrid learning models, and more and more schools seem to be moving toward these types of programs. Online models are beneficial in their flexibility, which is especially valuable to working students. Online classes are frequently offered in shorter seven- or eight-week terms, allowing students to focus on one course at a time. Almost all programs require clinical hours, but most accommodate students who need to complete these hours in their home communities or regions. Few programs require students to visit campus during their degree. If you want to learn more about online RN to BSN programs in New York and elsewhere, see this guide.

How Do I Go from Being an RN to a BSN Nurse in New York?

The minimum requirements for enrolling in a New York RN to BSN program are:

• An associate degree in nursing from an accredited institution
• An unencumbered New York nursing license

Some programs allow you to enroll in an RN to BSN program during the last semester of your associate degree, dependent upon your passing the NCLEX-RN and acquiring a nursing license before beginning coursework.

Suppose you completed your degree in a state other than New York or hold a nursing license from another state. In that case, you will have to take two required courses: an Infection Control Course and a Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Course, or request an exemption.

New York RN to BSN Salary and Employment Trends

While nurses who already had their licenses or students who were enrolled or pending acceptance are exempt, the state of New York now requires all other nurses licensed since the law took effect to earn a BSN within 10 years of applying for licensure. The FAQs below highlight how acquiring a BSN benefits your career outlook and outcome.

How much do New York RN to BSN graduates earn?

According to ZipRecruiter, RNs in New York make, on average, $76,870 per year, whereas nurses holding BSN degrees earn an average of $107,500 annually. The compensation varies based on your location in the state: the lowest earners for RNs in New York make the national average of $59,450 per year. However, even in those same areas, a nurse with a BSN earns upwards of $90,000 per year. New York ranks 10th in the nation for average earnings of RNs, but the state ranks second for average BSN salary.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021

What’s the job market like for BSN nurses in New York?

The demand for nurses continues to grow nationwide. In New York, the profession is predicted to grow at a rate of 17% from 2020-2030, according to projectionscentral.org. This considerably outpaces the current national average of 6%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, making New York a great place to be looking for a job as a nurse.

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