Why could LPN-to-RN programs in New York be a perfect fit for your talents? Because LPN-to-RN bridge programs build on the training and experience you already have as a licensed practical nurse in the Empire State. Your expanded scope of practice will qualify you for jobs in clinical specialties that you may not be presently eligible for. As a registered nurse in the Empire State, your pay will be a whopping 74 percent higher than it is now—$100,130 a year instead of $57,560 a year. Demand for your services will be high and will increase by 18 percent in 10 years. Find out more in this guide to the 12 best LPN-to-RN programs in New York.
Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 12 best campus-based and online LPN-to-RN programs in New York.
Program Details: I have never traveled to New York but hope to someday. I have a few friends who have done contract nursing there, and they tell me it is a great place to live and work. As a nurse and healthcare educator, I am pleased to see that the state offers so many excellent learning opportunities for nurses. For example, licensed practical nurses looking for the best LPN-to-RN programs in New York may find that Suffolk County Community College has the perfect program.
This LPN-to-RN program admits LPNs once per year in the summer session, and upon completion awards an Associate in Science degree in Nursing. The program is designed as a four-semester pathway. Once you complete the first semester of the required 16 prerequisite credits, you will enter the summer transition semester, which is followed by two final semesters of nursing courses and clinicals.
The program requires you to complete a total of 64 credits. During the summer transition semester, you will take two six-week LPN Role Transition courses, which include in-person lectures, labs, and clinicals in an acute care setting three to four days per week. You will be granted 8.5 advanced placement credits for those courses. In addition to taking classes on campus such as Maternal/Child Health Nursing, Adult Physical Health Nursing, and Advanced Anatomy and Physiology, you will participate in laboratory simulations where you develop and hone essential advanced nursing skills.
You will also have diverse clinical experiences, which are designed to give you a broad range of opportunities for providing hands-on patient care. Clinical practicums are arranged by program faculty and supervised by clinical instructors or program-approved preceptors. Your clinicals will include opportunities to provide care to patients of all ages across the health spectrum. Clinical schedules may include seven days a week, up to 12 hours a day, and could include day and evening shifts, depending on clinical site and preceptor availability.
Why Choose This Program
• I love nursing and believe a commitment to lifelong learning is crucial to succeed as a nurse. One of the great things about the LPN-to-RN program in New York at Suffolk County Community College is that the school has articulation agreements with four-year institutions where you can transfer and earn your baccalaureate in nursing!Program Details: Nassau Community College offers an advanced standing option for licensed practical nurses seeking an LPN-to-RN program in New York. The program is designed as a Multi-Award program through collaboration between Nassau Community College and SUNY Empire State College. This program allows you to complete the Associate in Science degree and take the NCLEX-RN to obtain RN licensure, then continue your education for three additional semesters and earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Currently, the program admits students in the spring and fall semesters of each academic year.
Some prerequisite and general education courses are available online. However, nursing courses require in-person attendance. After completing the required prerequisites and challenging Fundamentals of Nursing, you will enter the LPN-to-RN program in the second semester and complete four semesters to earn the associate degree.
You are required to complete 84 credits to earn an associate degree in nursing. If you choose to pursue the BSN, you will complete an additional 40 credits, for a total of 124 credits in the Multi-Award Program. You will also have extensive learning opportunities in lab simulations and clinical practicums, preparing you as you transition from being an LPN to becoming a registered nurse.
Why Choose This Program
• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program at Nassau Community College consistently score well on the NCLEX-RN exam, which is a strong indicator of the value of the education the school provides.Program Details: Monroe College in the Bronx is home to another featured LPN-to-RN program in New York. The program is designed as a full-time, day program and can be completed in one year or three semesters. The college accepts applications on a rolling basis and admits students to the LPN-to-RN program in the fall semester annually.
As a licensed practical nurse with a valid, unencumbered license, once you complete the required prerequisites, you will be granted 22 credits for nursing core courses. You will then complete the remaining 42 credits of the LPN-to-RN program’s curriculum, including 13 general education credits and 29 major nursing credits.
At Monroe College, you will learn theory in the classroom by taking courses, including Culturally Competent Care of the Adult with Mental Health Alterations, Adults with Health Alterations, the Child-Bearing Family, and the Child-Rearing Family. You will also study Health Assessment Across the Lifespan and Trends in Professional Nursing. The program incorporates laboratory and simulation learning to help you develop and hone essential skills. Additionally, you will participate in clinical practicums designed to give you opportunities to provide care to patients of all ages experiencing varying degrees of health and wellness.
Why Choose This Program
• The LPN-to-RN program at Monroe College boasts an excellent program faculty with years of experience. Their knowledge and experience will be instrumental in guiding and supporting you and leading you to succeed in the program.Program Details: Rockland Community College is home to another outstanding option if you are searching for LPN-to-RN programs in New York. This program admits cohorts twice a year in the spring and fall.
One thing I like to consider when researching schools and programs is whether a program requires part-time or full-time attendance. At Rockland Community College, while the program has a suggested sequence of four semesters, as an LPN with completed prerequisites, you can enter the program in the second semester and graduate in three semesters’ time. However, if you feel you need more time and prefer a part-time schedule, you do have the option of taking a lighter courseload and extending the time it takes to complete the program.
The program requires completion of 64 credits. The curriculum includes classes in psychology, adult health, advanced anatomy and physiology, and mental health nursing. In addition to lectures and laboratory learning, you will participate in a wide variety of clinical experiences. Some clinical rotations include acute care, medical-surgical nursing, long-term care, and orthopedic/neurological rehabilitation facilities. Program faculty determine clinical sites and approve preceptors to ensure you have a variety of experiences.
Why Choose This Program
• Rockland Community College has a partnership with SUNY Empire State University, which allows graduates of the LPN-to-RN program to transition from an associate degree in nursing to a BSN through SUNY’s online coursework.Program Details: If you are a motivated licensed practical nurse searching for an accelerated path to becoming a registered nurse, the LPN-to-RN program in New York offered at Finger Lakes Community College is an excellent option to consider. Admission to the program is quite competitive, with a maximum of 14 LPNs admitted each fall and spring semester. Once you complete the required general education/prerequisite courses, the program is designed to be completed in three semesters, including one winter or summer semester.
Students are granted advanced placement in the Accelerated LPN-to-RN program after completing a knowledge and skills assessment of content from the course Health Concepts I. The program requires you to complete a total of 64 semester hours. You will study in classes including Pharmacology, Health Concepts, Professional Nursing, and Concepts Synthesis. Upon completion of the program, you will earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in Nursing.
The Accelerated LPN-to-RN program in New York offered at FLCC includes diverse clinical experiences. Additionally, you will complete a nursing Capstone during your final semester. The Capstone, which is completed under the mentorship of a Registered Professional Nurse Preceptor, is a clinical immersion experience where you will apply your knowledge of management of care and professional nursing competencies to provide patient-centered, evidence-based care.
Why Choose This Program
• At Finger Lakes Community College, you will have learning opportunities in the Sands Family Center for Allied Health, a state-of-the-art simulation center. From HoloLens equipment to science incubators and debriefing rooms, your hands-on simulation experiences will have you well-prepared for clinicals and to transition and become a registered nurse!Program Details: If you are searching for an LPN-to-RN program in New York that you can complete in a short time, Genesee Community College has a program worth considering. The program is designed so that LPNs enter the traditional pathway in the second year or third semester and take only two semesters to complete the degree. Students are admitted to the nursing component of the program in the spring and fall semesters.
The program features a 64-credit curriculum. Upon admission to the LPN-to-RN program, you will receive credit for the first year of nursing courses, resulting in 19 advanced standing credit hours for prior learning. Your classes include Microbiology and Human Disease and Professional Issues in Nursing, as well as several clinical courses that have corresponding lab or clinical hours. All nursing classes are offered in a blended format featuring online and classroom learning.
In addition to scheduled clinicals in various healthcare settings, the final semester of the program features a four-week internship/capstone experience. During your internship, you will work with an experienced registered nurse mentor. The amount of real-world clinical experience provided in this LPN-to-RN program in New York is awesome, and as a nurse educator, I feel is one thing that makes this a great option if you’re ready to move your career to the next level!
Why Choose This Program
• Genesee Community College boasts a history of educating nursing graduates who consistently exceed both state and national averages on the NCLEX-RN among first-time testers.Program Details: Helene Fuld College of Nursing is home to another of the best online LPN-to-RN programs in New York. Most students follow a full-time course of study and complete the program in 18 months or four semesters. However, you can extend the length of the program by reducing your course load if part-time enrollment suits you better. The college accepts applications on a rolling basis and admits new cohorts in the spring and fall semesters annually. Classes are held both during the day and in the evening, Monday through Saturday.
At Helene, you will complete a total of 70 semester credits. You will receive 18-semester credits from pre-admission testing and for having an LPN license. The remaining credits are earned through general education and nursing-specific coursework. In the program, some of the subjects you will study include Psychiatric-Community Mental Health Nursing, Parent-Child Health Nursing, and Professional Foundations of Nursing.
The curriculum incorporates clinical practicum experiences with corresponding clinical courses. You will participate in clinicals at affiliate clinical sites, providing care to diverse patient populations, including pediatric, adult, psychiatric, and medical-surgical patients. Clinicals are held in hospitals, physicians’ offices, community health centers, and other facilities throughout New York City and Long Island, as determined by the program director. Program faculty or approved preceptors supervise all clinical activities. Clinicals are scheduled Monday through Sunday, and your schedule may vary.
Why Choose This Program
• Helene Fuld College of Nursing, which was founded in 1945, has a long history of educating and preparing nursing students for professional nursing roles.Program Details: The LPN-to-RN program in New York at Dutchess Community College offers an excellent opportunity for licensed practical nurses seeking career advancement. Admission to the program is highly competitive. You must have lived in New York State for at least one year before applying to the program. Because admission is so competitive, the school admits a maximum of 14 students who reside outside of Dutchess and Putnam Counties. The program is designed to be completed in four semesters, including a prerequisite semester.
The program offers a mixture of lectures, simulation and laboratory experiences, and clinical practicums, as well as online learning activities to complement classroom learning. The 64-credit curriculum includes classes such as Professional Issues in Nursing, Developmental Psychology, and Social Problems in Today’s World.
Clinical courses, including Nursing Science I, II, II, and IV and Parent-Child Nursing have corresponding clinical practicum requirements. The final semester of the program includes a Nursing Synthesis course, which is a preceptorship course focused on your transition from the role of an LPN to an RN. During the preceptorship, you will work with a nurse mentor two days each week for five weeks.
Why Choose This Program
• At Dutchess Community College, financial emergencies do not have to mean giving up your academic dreams. DCC CARES provides up to $2,000 in award money to students experiencing financial emergencies or crises. The school also provides connections with community resources and support to help prevent future issues so you can focus on your studies and reach your goals.Program Details: Another of our featured LPN-to-RN programs in New York is offered at LaGuardia Community College. The program admits students twice per year in the spring and fall semesters. This program is designed as a two-year or four-semester pathway after completing the required prerequisites.
As a licensed practical nurse, you may be eligible for advanced standing, which will exempt you from the first year of nursing courses. To qualify for advanced standing, you must pass the New York State Coalition for Educational Mobility’s Transition Course and the Bridge Course.
The curriculum requires you to earn a total of 66 credits. The program is designed to provide a broad knowledge base in medical-surgical, community health, psychiatric, and parent-child nursing. Additionally, you will learn about nursing leadership and responsibilities to prepare you to transition to the role of a registered nurse.
At LaGuardia Community College, you will learn from dedicated faculty with years of experience in nursing. The program will prepare you with advanced critical thinking and decision-making skills, the ability to implement evidence-based knowledge into individualized patient care, and an appreciation for cultural diversity.
Why Choose This Program
• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program at LaGuardia Community College have excellent job placement rates following completion of the program. Among graduates who responded to post-graduation surveys, most reported finding employment as registered nurses within three to six months of graduating and earning their RN licenses.Program Details: The LPN-to-RN program in New York offered at Maria College is a great option if you are ready to move up the career ladder and become a registered nurse! The program offers the option of day or evening classes, making it easier to choose a schedule that works for you. The daytime option is a full-time pathway that can be completed in four semesters, including the prerequisite semester. The evening program is a part-time pathway that takes eight semesters, including prerequisite semesters. New cohorts are admitted in the fall semester of each year.
To qualify for advanced standing, you must successfully pass a review course and written dosage and skills exams. Upon successful completion of the advanced standing courses, you will be awarded nine credits toward the total required credits for the program.
This LPN-to-RN program features a 66-credit curriculum with classes, including Care of Individuals Across the Lifespan, Care of Clients with Physical and Psychological Human Needs, Foundations in Social Justice, and Transition to Nursing Practice.
All clinical courses consist of four components: lecture, nursing skills lab, dosage competencies, and clinicals. You will learn and hone advanced skills in the school’s state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab. You will also have diverse opportunities for hands-on clinical practice at top healthcare facilities within the region.
Why Choose This Program
• Maria College offers low faculty/student ratios, which means you will have personal attention and guidance from faculty throughout the program.Program Details: Queensborough Community College is home to another featured LPN-to-RN program in New York. The program, which awards an Associate in Applied Science degree, offers start dates in the fall and spring semesters and also has an option for evening classes each fall. The program is designed with a college setting of learning in the classroom, laboratories, and Simulation Lab, and opportunities to provide hands-on patient care during site-based clinical practicums.
Licensed practical nurses who take and pass the NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exam NACE1 Foundations of Nursing and pass and meet a practicum may attain advanced standing in the program. The program is a 65-credit pathway, including general education and major course requirements. You will study Safe and Effective Nursing Care, Nursing and Societal Factors, and Fundamental Pathway to Nursing.
Clinical assignments are arranged by program faculty and include rotations in sites, including hospitals, urgent care clinics, medical-surgical facilities, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, and community/public health centers.
Why Choose This Program
• When you enroll in the LPN-to-RN program at Queensborough Community College, financial aid advisors will work with you to find as many options for financial assistance as possible to help reduce the stress of finances while you are earning your degree. There are opportunities for internal and external scholarships and grants, federal financial assistance, and work-study programs.Program Details: Orange County Community College offers an LPN-to-RN program in New York with part-time and full-time enrollment options. The part-time sequence takes eight semesters to complete, including the prerequisite semester. The full-time sequence takes four semesters to complete. Classes begin in the Spring semester at the Middletown campus and in the Fall semester at the Newburgh campus.
To be eligible for advanced standing, once you are accepted into the program, you must take the Nursing Bridge Course in the winter or summer recess before your planned semester start date. Transfer students from a practical nursing program through the SUNY Orange Articulation Agreement with OU BOCES School of Practical Nursing, or LPNs who achieve a minimum Level 1 on the ATI content master for nursing fundamentals, may receive advanced standing and begin in the second semester of the program. LPNs who have completed Nursing Fundamentals 2 may attain advanced standing into the fourth semester.
The LPN to AAS program is a 64-credit program. The program combines lectures with laboratory and clinical experiences. Clinical site availability may be limited, which means your clinical practicum may be scheduled during the day, evening, or on weekends. Clinical practicums occur in medical-surgical, long-term care, mental health, and maternal/child settings.
Why Choose This Program
• Employers who respond to employer surveys indicate high satisfaction rates with graduate performance. This is an excellent indication of the solid education and preparation the program provides.RN Average Starting Annual Salary | LPN Average Starting Annual Salary | Difference | |||
Number | % | ||||
$69,450 | $49,250 | +$20,200 | +41.02% | ||
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
Level of Experience | RN | LPN | Difference | ||
Number | % | ||||
Entry-Level | $69,450 | $49,250 | +$20,200 | +41.02% | |
1-4 Years of Experience | $84,660 | $53,150 | +$31,510 | +59.29% | |
5-9 Years of Experience | $104,570 | $62,360 | +$42,210 | +67.69% | |
10-19 Years of Experience | $126,080 | $70,340 | +$55,740 | +79.24% | |
20 Years or More Experience | $136,780 | $76,890 | +$59,890 | +77.89% | |
Average Salary | $106,620 | $63,020 | +$43,600 | +69.18% | |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
Metro | RN Average Annual Salary | LPN Average Annual Salary | Difference | ||
Number | % | ||||
Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $90,630 | $57,170 | +$33,460 | +58.53% | |
Binghamton | $85,660 | $53,470 | +$32,190 | +60.20% | |
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls | $91,930 | $56,370 | +$35,560 | +63.08% | |
Elmira | $76,820 | $52,790 | +$24,030 | +45.52% | |
Glens Falls | $85,980 | $54,990 | +$30,990 | +56.36% | |
Ithaca | $93,740 | $57,100 | +$36,640 | +64.17% | |
Kingston | $90,060 | $59,400 | +$30,660 | +51.62% | |
New York-Newark-Jersey City | $111,210 | $68,520 | +$42,690 | +62.30% | |
Rochester | $87,870 | $55,320 | +$32,550 | +58.84% | |
Syracuse | $87,570 | $54,700 | +$32,870 | +60.09% | |
Utica-Rome | $83,810 | $54,120 | +$29,690 | +54.86% | |
Watertown-Fort Drum | $80,360 | $50,600 | +$29,760 | +58.81% | |
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |
Occupation | Employment | New Employment Growth (2020-2030) | |||
2020 | 2030 | Number | % | ||
RN | 197,160 | 230,580 | +33,420 | +16.95% | |
LPN | 48,730 | 57,740 | +9,010 | +18.49% | |
Difference | +148,430 | +172,840 | +24,410 | -1.54% | |
(Source: Careeronestop.org) |
Occupation | New | Replacement | Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement) | ||
RN | 3,342 | 11,088 | 14,430 | ||
LPN | 901 | 4,019 | 4,920 | ||
Difference | +2,441 | +7,069 | +9,510 | ||
(Source: Careeronestop.org) |
Average New York LPN-to-RN Annual Salary | Average National LPN-to-RN Annual Salary | Difference | |||
Number | % | ||||
$106,620 | $94,480 | +$12,140 | +12.85% | ||
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) |