How to Become a Registered Nurse in New York

New York map

New York provides a number of options for healthcare workers who want to become registered nurses (RN).

You can start out as a licensed practical nurse (LPN), for instance, and transition into working as an RN.

Licensing Requirements To Become a Registered Nurse in New York

The New York Office of Professions outlines the criteria for becoming an RN.

The state requires licensing and registration after undergoing a background check and completing high school.

You also need to take the appropriate post-secondary training.

Your classes should cover the materials found on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) exam.

The license you apply for and receive from the state will allow you to practice as an RN for three years.

You will renew it on your birthday when that renewal comes due.

It’s possible to also have obtained training in another state and apply it to New York.

5 Registered Nurse Schools in New York

Remember, the most important priority of your training is that it coincides with the New York Board of Nursing expectations.

Usually, RNs attend school for two or more years and earn either an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.

1. Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai

Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai Logo

Mount Sinai nursing school prepares nurses to lead decision-making in the medical field.

Instructors will boost your confidence as you become an integral part of saving lives.

Your time spent in training will also make you aware of the best preventative health measures to recommend.

Both an accelerated and traditional bachelor’s learning path is available.

2. Hunter College

Hunter College Logo

Hunter College has a School of Nursing that offers both undergraduate and graduate learning options.

This school resides in a diverse urban environment and provides you with plenty of chances to practice your RN skills.

You will need to discuss your career goals to make sure your courses count toward the state board training required for your registration and licensure.

3. Helene Fuld College of Nursing

Helene Fuld College of Nursing Logo

Helene Fuld could start you off with the LPN to RN program.

You also can use your associate degree credits toward a bachelor’s degree if already an RN.

It’s also possible to broaden your knowledge with a general Bachelor of Science, depending on your career goals.

You’ll earn the authority to make medical decisions not allowed as an LPN.

This includes using discretion on medicinal treatments, IVs, and physical therapy.

As long as you know the doctor at your facility approves of your decisions, you will do fine after you complete your training at Helen Fuld.

4. NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing

NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing Logo

Apparently, it’s been called the “top-ranked nursing school in the U.S.” on Google Maps.

You can complete the accelerated nurse training program in about 15 months.

Bachelor’s and master’s and doctoral degree options are available.

You also could take the advanced certificate route.

Your training at NYU transitions you from your LPN or associate degree to an undergraduate or graduate one.

The more time you spend working as an RN while in school, you’ll develop the leadership skills required to oversee staff.

The time spent here will also prepare you to call important decisions approved by doctors.

5. St. Pauls School of Nursing

St. Pauls School of Nursing Logo

This school earned the reputation for having dedicated teachers.

You’d like it at St. Paul’s if you prefer to learn in a smaller, more intimate setting.

This Staten Island school offers an associate degree program in nursing.

This training will prepare you to become an RN, but it also could prepare you to take on a Director of Nursing or research role.

After graduation, you could also work in an emergency department or become an Oncology or Charge Nurse.

Many opportunities await you after attending this two-year college.

Maybe you’ll want to find out if some four-year schools accept credits from St. Pauls if you decide to transfer too.

Registered Nurse Schools in New York – Summary Table

Top 5 Schools in New York

School NameAddress
Phillips School of Nursing at Mount Sinai148 E 126th St, New York, NY 10035
Hunter College695 Park Ave, New York, NY 10065
Helen Fuld College of Nursing24 E 120th St, New York, NY 10035
NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing433 1st Ave., New York, NY 10010
St. Paul's School of Nursing97-77 Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11374

Salary

A New York entry-level RN can make an average of about $79,660 every year as of 2022.

Your salary may range from $71,460 to $91,060, depending on where you live and your experience.

If you continue seeking new certifications and train for new responsibilities, you could earn $101,439 per year or more.

Annual Salary Range:
$63K
$71K
$81K

Average Salary of Registered Nurse (RN)s in New York

City NameSalary
New York$79,890
Buffalo$63,510
Rochester$65,470
Yonkers$76,550
Syracuse$65,460
Albany$67,190
New Rochelle$76,230
Mount Vernon$76,510
Schenectady$67,230
Utica$63,590
* Salary information last updated 2024

Regional Salary in New York

RegionEmployedAvg. Annual SalaryAvg. Hourly PayTop 10% Annual SalaryBottom 10% Annual Salary
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY10,280$90,630$43.57$109,910$68,210
Binghamton, NY2,470$85,660$41.18$108,080$67,110
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY13,190$91,930$44.2$113,350$68,440
Elmira, NY610$76,820$36.93$91,400$62,250
Glens Falls, NY950$85,980$41.34$99,780$57,980
Ithaca, NY840$93,740$45.07$117,680$67,090
Kingston, NY940$90,060$43.3$104,570$63,360
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA184,360$111,210$53.47$136,480$79,220
Rochester, NY10,880$87,870$42.25$110,810$67,900
Syracuse, NY7,350$87,570$42.1$107,290$65,700
Utica-Rome, NY2,350$83,810$40.29$99,830$62,510
Watertown-Fort Drum, NY460$80,360$38.64$107,410$44,670
* Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey for Registered Nurses, OCC Code 29-1141, BLS.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do RNs in New York need a four-year degree?

It’s not uncommon for an RN to have a four-year degree in New York.

According to the University of Buffalo, which also has a nursing program, the “BSN in 10” requirement came into effect.

This apparently happened in 2017.

It means that an RN needs to have a baccalaureate (BSN) degree within 10 years of initial licensure.

It’s up to you to find out whether this is true or not as of 2022 or later.

Potential employers in your location could answer this for you, and so can some of the New York state-approved institutions.

In most states, an RN must have at least an associate degree, which takes two years to complete.

Be careful when schools make claims about the legislation because it could be biased information, but Buffalo is a reputable university.

How much does RN training cost in NY?

The cost depends on what supplies are included and the level of education.

Community colleges may only charge about $5,000-$10,000 a year, but four-year universities about double that.

What kind of degree does a NY RN need?

Several sources say RNs need a baccalaureate degree or higher.

This takes four years.

However, the state (NYSED website) does say people can practice before having achieved their degree under certain circumstances.

They might have limited RN duties or work as an LPN first, and the educational requirements appear to be an associate degree minimum.

The most important warning to heed is to make sure that the training you receive does qualify, which you’ll need to contact the state about if you’re not sure.

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