Online LPN Programs in New York: View & Compare
Licensed practical nurses are critical on healthcare teams, providing a range of important patient services in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and physician’s offices. They’re also in high demand, with a nationwide shortage of nurses expected to continue into the foreseeable future. So, if you’ve ever thought about becoming a licensed practical nurse, now may be the time to consider getting the training you need through a convenient and affordable online LPN program. Explore the many options for LPN training in New York and find the right one for you.
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Inside Online LPN Classes in New York
Given the nature of nursing practice and the in-person clinical practice requirements for obtaining state licensure, it’s important to note at the top that no New York LPN programs can be completed entirely online. Students in New York online LPN programs need to attend some class sessions on campus, including hands-on skills labs, and are also required to complete a substantial number of clinical hours on site at a program-approved nursing facility. That said, there are many LPN programs in New York that include classes and other components (like readings, assignments, assessments, academic and career support services, etc.) online. We’ve spotlighted three LPN classes in New York with online components below to give you an idea of how distance learning works in practical nurse training.
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC)
The Practical Nursing Certificate (LPN) program at BMCC distinguishes itself from practically all other online LPN classes in New York, featuring both nursing and non-nursing courses in online formats. It’s also unique in that students can choose between four-semester (two years) and five-semester (three years) program paths. Coursework in the 46-credit curriculum may be delivered in any of a number of online formats, including hybrid synchronous, hybrid asynchronous, fully-online synchronous, and fully-online asynchronous. Along with attending class sessions, students complete hands-on skills labs on BMCC’s campus and clinical practice experiences in medical facilities in and around the greater NYC area. Students completing the program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam which must be passed to obtain New York LPN licensure.
Duration: Four semesters (two-year path) or five semesters (three-year path)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $265/credit (tuition only, New York City residents); $420/credit (tuition only, NYC non-residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Completion of the Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) exam
- Criminal background check, drug screening, immunizations, and clean physical exam (required for clinical experiences)
Curriculum:
General Education Courses (Must be completed prior to beginning any LPN courses)
- BIO 111: Human Biology
- ENG 101: English Composition
- HED 110: Comprehensive Health Education
- MAT 104: Mathematics for Health Sciences
- PSY 100: Introduction to Psychology
LPN Certificate Courses
- LPN 101: Fundamentals of Nursing (with clinicals)
- LPN 102: Mental Health Nursing and Therapeutic Communication (with clinicals)
- LPN 103: Lab Practical Skills/Infection Control (Part 1)
- LPN 104: Pharmacology and Nutrition Across the Lifespan (with Medication Calculation & Administration)
- LPN 201: Parent-Child Nursing (with clinicals)
- LPN 202: Lab Practical Skills (Part 2)
- LPN 203: Medical-Surgical Nursing
- LPN 204: Lab Practical Skills (Part 3)
- LPN 301: Gerontology/Rehabilitation & Restorative Care (with clinicals)
- LPN 302: Transition to Practice (Legal and Ethical Aspects of Practical Nursing)
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SUNY Canton
SUNY Canton’s 36-credit Practical Nursing Certificate program offers students the ability to obtain their education and training in two semesters (fall and spring) of full-time study. All nursing courses include campus-based class sessions and labs attended weekdays on the main campus. These courses may also include some online elements (readings, assignments, etc.). Required non-clinical courses are available online with most delivered asynchronously. In-person clinical experiences are attended at hospitals, long-term care facilities, and community agencies throughout the Northern New York area. Clinicals may be scheduled days, evenings, and/or weekends according to requirements of the specific clinical site. Graduates are awarded a Certificate in Practical Nursing and are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam.
Duration: One year (two semesters)
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $4,371/semester (tuition and fees, New York residents); $6,786/semester (tuition and fees, out-of-state residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- 17 years of age or older
- High school diploma or equivalent
- U.S. citizenship or legal residence. New York residents are given priority
- Meet stated proficiencies in biology, chemistry, communications, and mathematics
- CPR certification
- Speak and understand English
Curriculum:
Semester I
- LPNC 100: Drug Dosage Calculations & Pharmacology
- LPNC 101: PN Fundamentals
- BIOL 217: Human Anatomy & Physiology I
- ENGL 101: Composition and the Spoken Word
Semester II
- LPNC 102: Practical Nursing – Specialty Populations
- LPNC 103: PN Medical-Surgical Nursing
- BIOL 218: Human Anatomy & Physiology II
- PSYC 101: Introduction to Psychology
SUNY Niagara
SUNY Niagara is another New York public community college whose Practical Nursing Certificate program features a combination of traditional campus-based and online components. Like SUNY Canton, SUNY Niagara’s LPN program is hybrid, with in-person nursing classes and labs attended on the school’s main campus and non-clinical courses completed online (asynchronously, in most cases). Clinical experiences are in person at program-affiliated healthcare facilities in Niagara, Erie, and Orleans counties. Earning the certificate requires completion of a minimum of 45 credits (29 nursing, 10 sciences, and 6 social sciences) with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA. Graduates of this one-year, full-time program are qualified to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam and are eligible for advanced standing in SUNY Niagara’s Registered Nurse program.
Duration: One year
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: Total program (tuition only) – $6,420 (New York residents); $12,840 (out-of-state residents)
Admissions Requirements:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Overall high school average of 80 percent or minimum 2.75 for the last 5 years cumulative GPA of all colleges attended
- Successful completion of high school level biology or chemistry course (minimum grade of 80%) or college level biology or chemistry course with a lab (minimum grade of C)
- Satisfactory completion of reading and mathematics foundation requirements (minimum score on placement assessments or pass reading and math academic foundations courses
Curriculum:
First Semester
- BIO 213: Human Anatomy and Physiology I
- BIO 213L: Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab
- NUR 100: Practical Nursing I
- NUR 100C: Practical Nursing I Clinical
- NUR 100L: Practical Nursing I Lab
- MAT 113: Medication Simulation for Nursing
- PSY 110: Introduction to Psychology
Second Semester
- BIO 214: Human Anatomy and Physiology II
- BIO 214L: Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab II
- NUR 101: Practical Nursing II
- NUR 101C: Practical Nursing II Clinical
- NUR 101L: Practical Nursing II Lab
- PSY 210: Lifespan Developmental Psychology
Summer Session I
- NUR 113: Practical Nursing III
- NUR 113C: Practical Nursing III Clinical
- NUR 113L: Practical Nursing III
Summer Session II
- NUR 114: Practical Nursing IV
- NUR 114C: Practical Nursing IV Clinical
Answering Common Questions from LPN Students in New York
The spotlights above provide a good overall look at how LPN programs in New York operate. But you likely have plenty of other questions about programs in general and about what you need to do to obtain your state practical nursing license once you’ve finished your studies. The following five FAQs offer answers to some of the most common questions.
What skills do you learn in LPN programs in New York?
Your New York LPN program will provide you with all of the knowledge, practical skills, and experience to obtain your state LPN license and begin practicing as a professional practical nurse. Your training will prepare you to perform patient tasks such as:
- Assisting with patient treatment and monitoring their condition.
- Taking, recording, and monitoring vital signs (temperature, pulse, blood pressure, etc.).
- Overseeing nutritional intake.
- Assisting with patients’ personal hygiene and other daily needs.
Additionally, LPN students develop a variety of important skills in the areas of written and oral communication, critical thinking and decision making, professional ethics (including protection of patient confidentiality), and the ability to work effectively under stressful conditions.
How much do LPN programs in New York cost?
The cost of LPN classes in New York can vary dramatically, so it is important to do your research and choose a program that fits your budget. Several factors affect cost, including credential type, program length, and whether the school is public or private. We’ve listed current cost figures below for three LPN classes in New York. Along with the prices quoted in the program spotlights above, they’ll give you a good idea of the costs you’ll find during your program search. It’s important, though, to consider these figures as only the starting point when calculating your potential program price tag. You’ll need to add expenses for books and study materials, uniforms and medical equipment, and the NCLEX-PN exam fee.
You’ll also want to factor in any funding help you receive. (More on financial aid opportunities in the next FAQ.)
Licensed Practical Nursing
Total Credits: 1,100 hours
$15,000 total
Practical Nursing Certificate
Total Credits: 46
$760/credit
Suffolk County Community College
Practical Nursing Certificate
Total Credits: 39
$243/credit (resident); $486/credit (non-resident)
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my LPN program in New York?
It’s quite likely that as a student in an LPN class in New York, you’ll be eligible for any of a number of financial aid resources to help pay for your practical nurse education. These resources include student loans, scholarships and grants, employer tuition reimbursement plans, tuition discounts and installment plans, and more. The best way to find out about funding opportunities is to contact the LPN programs you’re considering. Just be sure to do so before settling on any specific program. Another valuable resource to check is this New York State Higher Education Services Corporation financial aid website.
How long do LPN programs in New York take to finish?
The amount of time you’ll spend working on your LPN certificate or diploma depends on several factors, including study pace (full time or part time) and the specific type of credential itself. There are online and on-campus fast-track LPN programs out there that can be completed in as little as six months. But if you’re planning to get your practical nurse training in New York, you should expect to invest from 12 to 18 months (two to three semesters) of full-time study or two years or more (four to five semesters) of part-time study.
How can I confirm the quality of an LPN program in New York I’m considering?
There are a few things that you can look to in determining if an LPN class in New York is a quality one. Most important is to confirm that the program is approved by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), which handles all government oversight of nursing practice in the state and maintains a current list of approved programs. You may also want to consider NCLEX-PN pass rates. Pass rate figures are often provided by programs and listed on their websites. If you don’t see them there, contact the program directly.
LPN Licensing Requirements in New York
Before pursuing your LPN program in New York, it’s important that you understand the specific licensing requirements set out by the NYSED. Here’s a brief overview of the components that make up the state’s LPN licensure process:
Education and Training
To qualify for LPN licensure in New York, you must first complete a practical nurse training program that is either approved by the NYSED (including any of the programs discussed in this guide) or the licensing authority of the state in which it’s located.
Professional Nursing Examination
Once you’ve completed your formal nursing training, you will apply to and take the NCLEX-PN, the national practical nurse exam mandated by the NYSED. You can get all of the information you need on applying to and preparing for the exam on the official NCLEX website.
Obtaining and Maintaining your New York State LPN License
To apply for your LPN license, you must fill out the required application forms and pay the application fee (currently $143). You’ll also need to provide proof of meeting all license requirements. After meeting all requirements, you will be issued your official New York LPN license and a registration certificate. Your license is valid for life (unless revoked, annulled, suspended, or surrendered to the NYSED). Your initial registration is good for three years but must be renewed every three years afterward to continue working as a practical nurse in the state.
Salary & Career Outlooks for Practical Nurses in New York
LPNs in New York can rest assured that there will be a job waiting for them when they graduate. Why can they be so confident? Because while the nationwide growth of LPNs is projected at 5.3% from 2022 to 2032, those in New York will experience a substantial 24.1% growth in job opportunities. That’s an impressive 11,060 new jobs over the decade. Most of these positions will be in nursing homes and home health care, but there will be other opportunities throughout the state—anywhere healthcare services are provided, LPNs are in demand.
The salary for LPNs in New York is also quite impressive. The median annual wage for New York LPNs is $62,360. Those just starting out might earn salaries closer to the 10th percentile of $49,250, while those with more experience or specialized work areas might reach the 90th percentile of $76,890. Those living in more populated areas of New York will find more opportunities, as healthcare demand is higher in those regions. For instance, those working in the New York City metro area will see a median annual wage of $66,300. Read on to learn more about salary expectations and job outlook for LPNs in New York.
Area ↕ | 10th Percentile ↕ | Median ↕ | 90th Percentile ↕ |
---|---|---|---|
New York | $49,250 | $62,360 | $76,890 |
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $49,560 | $53,500 | $67,660 |
Binghamton, NY | $46,450 | $52,890 | $63,760 |
Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | $46,490 | $54,470 | $66,880 |
Elmira, NY | $41,710 | $53,500 | $58,850 |
Glens Falls, NY | $49,150 | $52,870 | $62,490 |
Ithaca, NY | $48,880 | $57,770 | $66,250 |
Kingston, NY | $50,630 | $60,110 | $68,230 |
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $57,980 | $66,300 | $80,000 |
Rochester, NY | $45,700 | $52,890 | $63,980 |
Syracuse, NY | $46,210 | $53,340 | $63,600 |
Utica-Rome, NY | $47,740 | $52,780 | $63,480 |
Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $39,520 | $50,240 | $64,000 |
Source: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Area ↕ | Curr. Jobs ↕ | Proj. Jobs ↕ | New Jobs ↕ | Growth % ↕ | Avg. Ann. Openings ↕ |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
New York | 45,960 | 57,020 | 11,060 | 24.10% | 1,110 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.