Updated December 3, 2024
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 6% by the year 2033, 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 healthcare 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 $86,070 in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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 the 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 the 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 on 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 $46,308 for in-district students. Additional expenses for books, supplies, insurance, and other incidentals will cost approximately $3,317.
- Website: https://www.swedishinstitute.edu/
- Address: 226 West 26th St., New York, NY 10001
- Phone: (212) 924-5900
- Fax: (212) 924-7600
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 53.7%%
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 a 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 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: 93.3%
Monroe University
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.
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 $8,940 per semester for full-time in-district students.
- Website: https://www.monroecollege.edu/
- Address: King Hall 2501 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468
- Phone: (718) 933-6700
- Fax: (718) 364-3552
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.6%
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:
Tuition costs $4,800 per year for New York residents attending full-time. The cost of books, fees, and supplies must be added to the costs.
- Website: https://www.laguardia.edu/
- Address: 31-10 Thomson Ave., Long Island City, NY 11101
- Phone: 1-718-482-7200
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 97.6%
New York City College of Technology
The ADN Nursing program at New York City College of Technology prepares students to become professional nurses. Students will acquire foundational knowledge and skills through coursework in the classroom and skills lab in the college lab. They will also participate in a clinical externship at local healthcare facilities. The curriculum is based on Watson’s philosophy and theory of human caring in nursing. There will be an emphasis on gerontological nursing and community-based nursing. Students will be exposed to technology through the clinical laboratory simulation and BlackBoard enhancement of all NUR courses. Graduates will be well prepared for success on the licensure exam and for the rapidly expanding areas of nursing.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 66-67
Duration: 4 Semesters
Course titles:
Gen Ed Courses – English Composition, College Algebra and Trigonometry, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Psychology, Child Psychology
Core Courses – Medical Calculations in Nursing, Foundations of Caring, Caring for Clients with Common Alterations in Functional Needs, Caring for Clients with Common Alternations in Survival Needs, Caring for Clients with Complex Alterations in Functional and Survival Needs, Caring for Clients with Alterations in Integrative Needs, Caring for Clients with Chronic Alterations in Human Needs, Caring for Clients and Families with Growth Seeking Needs, Microbiology, Elements of Sociology
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Must meet CUNY proficiency in Math, Writing, and Reading
- Must complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade C
- Must take the ATI TEAS during the introductory semester
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- 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 – required by the clinical agencies
Program Cost:
Tuition costs $3,465 per semester for New York residents attending full-time. The cost of books, fees, and supplies are not included.
- Website: https://www.citytech.cuny.edu/
- Address: 300 Jay St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
- Phone: 718-260-5000
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 82.4%
St Paul’s School of Nursing
The comprehensive nursing curricula at St Paul’s School of Nursing is designed for students to earn an Associate of Science (A. S.) in Nursing. They will acquire the knowledge and skills needed to make a difference in their community. The content includes a combination of classroom instruction, hands-on laboratory training and real-world supervised clinical experiences to prepare students to make a positive impact in healthcare. Students will participate in a clinical externship to apply the skills developed in the classroom.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 66-67
Duration: 24 months
Course titles:
Gen Ed Courses – English Composition, College Algebra and Trigonometry, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Introduction to Psychology, Child Psychology
Core Courses – Foundations of Nursing Concepts, Pharmacology, Obstetric & Neonatal Nursing, Nutritional Therapy, Microbiology for Health Related Sciences, and Professional Trends in Nursing
Admission criteria:
- Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must interview with an admissions representative
- Must have a valid form of ID
- Must take the Wonderlic SLE exam
- Must sign the SON Enrollment Agreement
- Must pass the HESI exam
- Must pass a criminal background check
- Must have current BLS for Healthcare Providers
- Must submit a completed physical exam
- Must take and pass an entrance exam
Program Cost:
The program cost of $56,283 includes tuition, fees, books, uniform, nursing kit, and laptop fee, exam fee, and NCLEX fee.
- Website: https://www.stpaulsschoolofnursing.edu/
- Address: 97-77 Queens Blvd. Queens, NY 11374
- Phone: 718-357-0500
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 57%
How Much Does an ADN Nurse Make in New York City?
A nurse with an associate degree in nursing can earn an average of $93,320 working in a hospital in New York City. Your experience and place of work will determine your salary.
Do I Need a BSN to Work in New York?
It is possible to begin your nursing career with an associate degree in New York. However, you will need to earn a BSN degree within 10 years of initial licensure to continue practicing.
What Is the Easiest Nursing Program to Get into In New York?
Every nursing program has specific requirements for entry. There are some common points for admission such as a high school diploma, age limit of 18 years, completion of prerequisite courses, passing scores on an entrance exam, and a good moral character. All programs have a rigorous admission process since nursing programs are space-limited due to the (un)availability of clinical sites. There are ways to improve your chances of acceptance though. Some of the things that may work in your favor include:
- Completing a CNA program/certification and clocking some hours of healthcare practice
- Completing the prerequisite courses with a high GPA
- Completing science coursework at the high school level
- Volunteer experience in bedside care
- Any other healthcare certification/licensure apart from CNA – LPN, EMT, etc
Is An ADN The Same as an RN?
An ADN is an associate degree in nursing that you earn after completing a nursing program – typically two years. It qualifies you to apply to take the licensure exam to be awarded the registered nursing (RN) credential. So, the ADN is the result of successfully completing a course of study while the RN is the credential earned after completing the requirements for licensure by a state board of nursing. Nurses who complete the Bachelor of Science (BSN) degree in nursing will also carry the RN credential after they complete the requirements for licensure.