An Associate Degree in Nursing sets the foundation for a rewarding and lifelong career serving others. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for registered nurses will increase 15% by the year 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Nursing affords abundant opportunities for diversity and career advancement with continued learning. There are over 60 specialties in nursing, and RNs can practice in various health care facilities including hospitals, patients’ homes, clinics, physicians’ offices, ambulatory care units, long-term care facilities, and rehab centers. Nurses may also work in schools and insurance agencies.
The ADN degree paves a fast path to success as a nurse. With this option, you can launch your career in as little as 18 months. This fast-track option will prepare you for the National Council Licensure Exam to earn the title of Registered Nurse. It is not the best path to nursing in the complex healthcare environment but is the best option if you don’t want to spend several years in school. There’s always the option to advance your education after you begin working.
ADN RNs may not have the scope of responsibility as a BSN graduate, but they perform many duties that are critical to patient care and comfort. They create, implement and assess patient care plans, counsel patients, perform diagnostic tests, supervise unlicensed workers, and communicate with patients and their families. RNs can enroll in a bridge RN to BSN program and earn the BSN degree in just 12 months. Many schools in New York and across the United States offer the program online to offer RNs the convenience of continuing their education while working.
RNs earned a median salary of $70,000 in 2017, according to the BLS.
Swedish Institute
The Registered Nursing program at Swedish Institute includes general education courses combined with core nursing courses to prepare students to provide competent and safe patient care. A key objective is to encourage teamwork that will enable graduates to practice as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Students who complete the requirements will receive an Associate of Applied Science degree and will demonstrate patient centered care, safety in practice, the ability to use best current evidence and clinical expertise to make decisions, teamwork and collaboration, use of information and technology, and professionalism. They will be eligible to take a NCLEX-RN licensure exam to practice as entry-level nurses in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. Classes meet Monday through Friday in the mornings and the afternoons. Students will complete the required 5 semesters in a 20-month sequence. Swedish Institute operates in a rolling admissions basis. Interested persons should submit an application well before the start date to apply for financial aid and submit any required documents.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 68
Duration: 20 months
Course titles:
Core Courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory, Composition I, College Mathematics, Introduction to Psychology, Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory, Pharmacology, Fundamentals of Nursing, Microbiology, Microbiology Laboratory, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Developmental Psychology, Oral Communications, Maternal and Child Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Mental Health Nursing, Management of Patient Care, Medical Surgical Nursing III, Trends
Admission criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old by the time the clinical rotation begins
- Be a high school graduate or have a GED – must submit a diploma or official documentation
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Attend an admission interview to demonstrate understanding of and interest in intended area of study
- Be in good physical and mental health
- Take the pre-admission test and obtain an acceptable score
- Demonstrate English proficiency
- Submit a completed reference form
- Provide proof of a physical exam, medical history and acceptable TB test
- Provide proof of immunization – Hepatitis B and Tdap or waivers
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Complete the required criminal background check
- Apply for financial aid
Program Cost:
Tuition for the program is $52,961 for in-district students. Additional expenses for books, supplies, insurance, and other incidentals will cost approximately $3,317.
Website: http://www.swedishinstitute.edu/academics/nursing/
Address: 226 West 26th St., New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 924-5900
Fax: (212) 924-7600
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 68.6%
Borough of Manhattan Community College
BMCC gives prospective nursing students an opportunity to kick start their career in Nursing. Comprehensive training in medical-surgical nursing, psychiatric nursing care, pediatric care, and maternal newborn nursing will lay the foundation for professional practice and continuing studies. Experienced instructors will work closely with students to ensure that they get the support they need. Support services include counseling, academic advisement, tutoring, and library resources. Apart from rigorous instruction in the classroom, students will develop their skills on campus in labs featuring modern human patient simulators. The clinical experience will augment the classroom theory and lab sessions and many include conferences and seminars to enhance the learning experience. Graduates are eligible to take the NCELX-RN licensure exam to practice as a Registered Nurse. They may also be eligible for externships at Woodhull Hospital and Bellevue Hospital. These valuable externships will improve their chances of obtaining employment upon completion of the training. BMCC has articulation agreements with universities in New York that will let graduates transfer seamlessly to the Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. Morning and evening schedules are available. The program receives more applications than they’re able to admit, so some eligible students may not be accepted.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 65
Duration: 20 months
Course titles:
Prerequisite Courses – English Composition I, Mathematics for Health Science, General Psychology, Anatomy and Physiology I
Core Courses – Fundamentals of Patient Care, Anatomy and Physiology II, Developmental Psychology or Introduction to Sociology, Obstetrics and Psychiatric Nursing, Microbiology, Pediatric and Basic Medical Surgical Nursing, English Composition II, Advanced Medical Surgical Nursing, Professional Issues in Contemporary Nursing Practice, Speech
Admission criteria:
- Must be admitted to BMCC as well as a Nursing program
- Pass the CAT-W test in reading and writing and the CUNY mathematics test
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C and GPA of 2.5
- Obtain a passing score on the Kaplan Admission Test
- Be a US citizen or have permanent residency
- Part-time students must complete BIO 426, BIO 420, PSY 240 or SOC 100 in addition to the four prerequisite courses
- Take and pass a criminal background check
- Submit to random drug screen
- Provide proof of immunization or waiver – TB Skin Test, Tdap, Varicella, Measles, Mumps, Rubella Hepatitis B
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $2,400 per semester for full-time for in-district students. Part-time students will pay $210 per credit. Students must budget for additional expenses such as books, supplies, insurance, background check, and immunizations.
Website: https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/nursing/
Address: 199 Chambers Street, Room N-730, New York, NY 10007
Phone: (212) 220-8230
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 81.4%
Monroe College
The Monroe College Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree caters to Licensed Practical Nurses seeking a career as a Registered Nurse. Through a transfer of 22 credits, LPNs will complete the requirements for the AAS degree in just three semesters. Credits will be granted for core nursing courses and will become eligible for transfer only upon validation of an LPN license in good standing in the state of New York. The applicant must have completed the prerequisite courses – Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology, Introduction to Psychology, and English Composition. Applicants must also have taken Algebra, Biology, and Chemistry in High School or college. The full-time program will support the development of critical thinking and the application of skills, knowledge, and technologies into evidenced-based practice. The curriculum will build on LPN education and incorporates principles in liberal arts and physical, biological,
Program Outline
Semester credits: 42
Duration: 3 Semesters
Course titles:
General Education Courses – Analytical Thinking, Writing, and Research, Introduction to Sociology, Psychology Across the Lifespan, General Chemistry, General Chemistry Laboratory, Clinical Nutrition and Diet Therapy or Other Nutrition Elective
Core Courses – Culturally Competent Care of the Child-Bearing Family, LPN to RN Transition/Introduction to Culturally Competent Care, Health Assessment Across the Lifespan, Culturally Competent Care of the Child-Rearing Family, Advanced Pharmacology, Culturally Competent Care of the Adult with Health Alterations I, Culturally Competent Care of the Adult with Health Alterations II, Trends in Professional Nursing
Admission criteria:
- A high school diploma or GED or a recognized college degree
- Submit a completed Application for Admission and Personal Statement
- Attend a pre-admission interview
- An acceptable GPA and good overall academic performance
- Transcript of the Practical Nursing certificate from Monroe College and pass a standardized comprehensive exam OR official transcript from an approved School of Practical Nursing and acceptable results on the TEAS and LPN Step Exam
- Must have a valid NYS LPN license
- Complete the prerequisite courses – Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology I and II, Microbiology, Expository Writing and Introduction to Psychology
- Pass score on the placement test
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $34,328 for full-time for in-district students. Books and supplies will cost an additional $1,800.
Website: https://www.monroecollege.edu/Degrees/Undergraduate-Degrees/Nursing-Degree/Associate-Degree-Nursing/
Address: King Hall 2501 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468
Phone: (718) 933-6700
Fax: (718) 364-3552
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.9%
ASA College: Manhattan Campus
With a strong foundation in science and technology, the Associate in Applied Science degree program at ASA College produces nurses who have the competency to care for patients in the complex health care system. The program will include theory and practical instruction that will serve as a foundation for further study at the baccalaureate level. Up to 43 credits of the program’s 68 credits cover the core (nursing) courses. Graduates of the program will be eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN examination to become a Registered Nurse. They will be able to translate the knowledge ad skills learned in the classroom to provide comprehensive nursing care to individuals, families, and communities. Nurse graduates will demonstrate professional accountability, independence, personal development, and continuous learning. Other core competencies include patient centered care, quality improvement, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice, informatics, and safety.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 68
Duration: 5 Semesters
Course titles:
Courses – Freshmen Skills Seminar, Research Methods, Computer Concepts & Applications, Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Fundamentals of Nursing, College Math or College Algebra , English Composition I, Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Adult Health Nursing I, Microbiology with Lab, English Composition II, Adult Health Nursing II, Maternal Child Nursing, Speech and Communication, Psychology, Psychiatric / Mental Health Nursing, Comprehensive Nursing I, Career Development Seminar, Sociology, Comprehensive Nursing II, Comprehensive Nursing II
Admission criteria:
- A high school diploma or GED or a recognized college degree
- Submit a completed Application for Admission
- Take and pass the placement test
- Obtain health clearance – must undergo a detailed health screen with titers and immunizations
- Obtain criminal background clearance
- Pass a TB test
- Attend the mandatory orientation program
- Complete the prerequisite courses
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $47,740 for full-time for in-district students. Books and supplies will cost an additional $3,000.
Website: http://www.asa.edu/nursing.asp
Address: 1293 Broadway (One Herald Center)., New York, NY, 10001
Phone: 877-679-8772
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 63.0%
Phillips School of Nursing
The Accelerated Associate of Applied Science in Nursing program (AAS) at Phillips School of Nursing prepares students for a career as a professional nurse. Persons interested in enrolling in the program must complete the prerequisite courses in English Composition, Introduction to Sociology and General Psychology to be accepted. The fast-paced program is designed for specially gifted students who will complete the requirements in just 15 months of full-time study. Upon completion of the theory and clinical requirements, students will receive the AAS degree and will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN for licensure as a registered nurse. Graduates have the option to enroll in the school’s RN to BSN program to obtain the BSN in approximately one year.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 68
Duration: 5 Semesters
Course titles:
Courses – Introduction to Nursing, Anatomy and Physiology I, Developmental Psychology, Introduction to Bioethics, Nursing Care of Patients w/Common Health Problems, Nutrition, Anatomy and Physiology II, Pharmacology, Principles of Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing, Nursing Care of Childbearing/Childrearing Families, Microbiology, Nursing Care of Patients w/Complex Common Health Problems, Pathways to Practice
Admission criteria:
- Create an account and submit an application online through NursingCAS
- Submit official transcript from each institution attended – must be mailed from the institution directly to the school
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
- Have a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 in English Composition, General Psychology, Introduction to Sociology
- Submit official high school transcript or copy of GED score – high school units must include English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry
- Take and pass the HESI A2 Admission Assessment with a score of 80 composite or better
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- Submit a statement of purpose – between 250 to 650 words – that outlines the reasons for applying to the AAS program
- Submit a current resume – indicate work and volunteer experience
- Have current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Certification – must be from the American Heart Association
- Complete a required health clearance
- Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen
- Submit $500 in non-refundable tuition
Program Cost:
The cost of attendance is $46,620 and includes fees, practical exam, and the NCLEX Review Course.
Website: https://www.mountsinai.org/locations/beth-israel/pson/academics/aas
Address: 776A Sixth Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-614-6110
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 80.8%
LaGuardia Community College
The Registered Nursing program at LaGuardia leads to an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accredited program is also approved by the New York State Board of Regent and prepares students for practice as a registered nurse. Students will learn how to communicate effectively, counsel clients, manage patient care, practice with the legal scope for the profession, and care for patients of all ages and cultural diversity. Students will complete the general education and core nursing courses in the pre-clinical phase of the program. The clinical phase will include laboratory experience and clinical rotations in local health care facilities. Entry to the clinical phase requires completion of four key courses with a minimum 2.75 GPA and a score of 41% on each of the four TEAS Exam sections. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee admission to the clinical phase. LPNs may apply for advanced standing in the program. Requirements include an active LPN registration, completion of the clinical prerequisite courses, academic advisement, required scores on the TEAS, and completion of the NY Coalition for Educational Mobility LPN to RN Transition course.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 68
Duration: 5 Semesters
Course titles:
Courses – English Composition I, Writing through Literature, Statistics with Elementary Algebra, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Foundations of Chemistry, General Psychology, Developmental Psychology, First Year Seminar for Health Sciences, Community Health, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, General Microbiology, Concepts in Pharmacology and Nutrition, Fundamentals of Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Parent Child Health Nursing, Leadership and Delegation, Medical Surgical Nursing II
Admission criteria:
- Create an account and submit an application online through NursingCAS
- Submit official transcript from each institution attended – must be mailed from the institution directly to the school
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
- Have a minimum prerequisite GPA of 3.0 in English Composition, General Psychology, Introduction to Sociology
- Submit official high school transcript or copy of GED score – high school units must include English, Social Studies, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry
- Take and pass the HESI A2 Admission Assessment with a score of 80 composite or better
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- Submit a statement of purpose – between 250 to 650 words – that outlines the reasons for applying to the AAS program
- Submit a current resume – indicate work and volunteer experience
- Have current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers Certification – must be from the American Heart Association
- Complete a required health clearance
- Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen
- Submit $500 in non-refundable tuition
Program Cost:
The cost of attendance is $46,620 and includes fees, practical exam, and the NCLEX Review Course.
Website: https://www.laguardia.edu/nursing/
Address: 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: 1-718-482-7200
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.2%