Best LPN to RN Programs in New York: Online and Campus
Want to advance your practical nursing career? By enrolling in an LPN to RN program in New York, you can strengthen your nursing skills and expertise to qualify for more job opportunities and higher pay.
You’re a natural-born caregiver. That’s why you became a licensed practical nurse, and you’re far from alone. According to Projections Central, as of 2022, there were 45,960 LPNs in the state. Although being among this highly competent group of professionals providing basic care is certainly rewarding, you might feel like it’s time for a change.
LPN to RN programs in New York could be just what you need to make that career leap. These programs, which lead to earning a nursing associate degree, build on your current skills and introduce new ones that will enable you to take on more patient care responsibilities and have more autonomy in your work. After becoming a registered nurse, you’ll also have access to more career opportunities and higher pay.
Ready to learn more about LPN to RN programs in NY? Continue reading for key details about top-rated programs, admissions requirements, what you can expect to study, and how much it could all cost.
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The Best LPN to RN Bridge Programs in New York
As a working LPN, you don’t have time to waste on LPN to RN programs in NY that won’t help elevate your career. That’s why we’ve compiled the list below of the best LPN to RN bridge programs in New York. We selected these schools because they have what students care about most—a quality curriculum, affordable tuition, and the flexibility busy nurses need.
Also, the schools are all approved by the New York State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). This means you can rest assured the LPN to RN programs in NY on this list have earned a seal of approval from nursing education regulators and experts.
Suffolk County Community College
Suffolk County Community College’s LPN to RN program combines lectures, labs, and clinical experiences to teach students how to deliver holistic patient care across the lifespan, from pediatrics to geriatrics. As an LPN, you already know how to work effectively as part of a healthcare team, and this degree program will give you the higher level of nursing skills you need to further contribute to your healthcare workplace. Also, you will be well-prepared to take the NCLEX, as the school boasts a pass rate of 82.41%.
The LPN to RN program at Suffolk County Community College includes coursework in anatomy and physiology, child health nursing care, adult physical health nursing, and biomedical ethics. To help you seamlessly transition into the registered nurse role, you’ll take a course that specifically builds on your practical nurse experience and illustrates the difference between the two roles. Then you’ll move on to your clinicals, where you’ll demonstrate your decision-making abilities in a variety of patient care situations.
Genesee Community College
Offered through the Antoinette Marchese Clancy School of Nursing, Genesee Community College’s LPN to RN advanced placement program allows students still studying for their LPN to start taking RN prerequisite classes. This way, if you already know you want to obtain an RN license, you can get a head start on preparing to apply to the school’s bridge program.
Once admitted, you’ll learn how registered nurses deliver comprehensive, compassionate care to patients that results in the best health outcomes. The program focuses on effective collaboration with other healthcare providers, patients, and families. The latest technologies used to provide cutting-edge nursing services are also explored.
Throughout the program, students get the support they need to become a successful RN. For example, the curriculum includes coursework to help you fully understand the registered nurse role. These classes cover the advanced dosage calculations, critical thinking, and math skills RNs need to be successful.
SUNY Orange
The LPN to RN program at SUNY Orange focuses on how RNs deliver individualized care through a curriculum that combines biological and social sciences, along with humanities coursework. There is an emphasis on using the knowledge you gained from your LPN education and job experience to explore higher-level nursing skills.
To provide flexibility, the school offers this associate degree on a full- or part-time basis, so if you’re currently employed, you have a better chance of fitting your education into your schedule. Also, when it’s time for clinicals, you may be assigned to an experience offered during day or evening hours. This clinical work can be completed in mental health, long-term care, maternity, or medical-surgical settings.
To support students financially, SUNY Orange offers several nursing scholarships, including awards provided based on need, academic excellence, and clinical competency.
What You Can Expect to Learn in an LPN to RN Program in NY
Generally, the curriculum of an LPN to RN program in NY is designed to leverage your nursing education and experience as building blocks to learn more advanced concepts. To do this, schools provide classes that cover pharmacology, maternity care, adult care, and other nursing concepts, so you learn how the skills you currently have are upgraded for work as an RN.
Also, you’ll receive a well-rounded educational experience through required general education classes in English composition, sociology, and algebra. Additionally, students participate in clinical experiences that further sharpen their nursing abilities.
While some areas are similar, when it comes to the exact curriculum of LPN to RN programs in New York, specific schools have different course offerings. For example, Genesee Community College has a course in professional issues in nursing, where students learn about the trends of nursing practice and leadership. At Suffolk County Community College, LPNs take a biomedical ethics class, which covers ethical considerations related to issues like euthanasia, abortion, and the distribution of healthcare resources.
For descriptions of more classes you may find in LPN to RN programs in NY, check out the list below.
Typical Classes in NY LPN to RN Programs
LPN to RN Transition
Adjusting to an RN job can be challenging, so this course is designed to help LPNs smoothly make that transition. You will expand your nursing knowledge to understand the level of care RNs provide and how they’re able to work autonomously. The course covers nursing theory, the ethical and legal issues RNs face, and how nurses manage their time effectively.
Medical-Surgical Nursing
While in this class, you’ll learn how nurses provide services to patients with chronic or terminal illnesses. From assessment to intervention to clinical decision making, this course familiarizes you with the challenges you’ll face working with these patient populations.
Advanced Pharmacology
This course covers how registered nurses administer drugs to patients. Specific topics may include the major drug classifications, how different types of drugs are given to patients, and how nurses navigate providing medications to people from different backgrounds.
Psychiatric-Community Mental Health Nursing
This class provides an understanding of the psychiatric care nurses deliver in individual and group settings. You may learn about therapeutic communication, best practices for conducting assessments, and how clients behave in treatment programs.
Clinical Nursing Skills
This class addresses advanced-level clinical nursing abilities that RNs are expected to have on the job. The curriculum may cover skills such as wound care and catheterizations, and there is a lab component to demonstrate the techniques.
Key Details About Online LPN to RN Programs in New York
Earning an associate degree from online LPN to RN programs in New York allows you to conveniently fit your classwork into your schedule and possibly save time and money by not traveling to campus every day. Although no schools in New York State advertise their LPN to RN programs as being delivered completely or partially online, schools like Genesee Community College do offer some individual online classes to nursing students. To find out if the schools you’re interested in offer online courses, contact them directly for information.
Alternatively, you may consider enrolling in an online LPN to BSN bridge program, such as the one offered by Excelsior University, if you’re interested in earning a bachelor’s degree at this time. In fact, this is a good idea since earning a degree at this level is now expected of all registered nurses. On December 19, 2017, former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed the BSN in 10 law, which requires RNs to earn a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of obtaining their initial nursing license.
For more information on what to expect from distance nursing education, review our page dedicated to online LPN to RN programs.
Frequently Asked Questions About LPN to RN Programs in NY
How long does it take to finish an LPN to RN bridge program?
The amount of time it takes to complete your degree depends on how much time you’re able to dedicate to the program. If you enroll in a full-time LPN to RN program in NY, such as those offered by Finger Lakes Community College, Rockland Community College, Suffolk County Community College, and SUNY Orange, you can complete your degree in two years. If you’re unable to study as a full-time student, you can enroll in SUNY Orange’s part-time sequence, which takes four years to complete.
What are the admissions requirements for New York LPN to RN bridge programs?
LPN to RN programs in New York require that prospective students complete an accredited practical nursing program and have an active LPN license to be admitted. Also, students may be expected to have a certain GPA or standardized test scores and complete specific prerequisite courses. For example:
- Finger Lakes Community College requires applicants to have a 3.0 GPA in nursing classes or pass the NLN Foundations of Nursing Exam with a score of at least 74.
- Applicants to Genesee Community College should have a 2.75 grade point average in nursing courses and an overall 2.0 GPA. Students are expected to have completed introductory English, biology, and psychology courses to be admitted.
- Suffolk County Community College expects prospective students to take the Test for Essential Academic Skills (ATI TEAS) and earn at least a proficiency level on the ATI Academic Preparedness portion of the exam. Also, students should have at least a C average in general education classes. Applicants are strongly encouraged to participate in the school’s nursing information seminar.
How much do LPN to RN bridge programs in New York cost?
The cost of LPN to RN programs in New York range from around $200 to $500 per credit. Tuition depends on what school you’re attending, and whether you enroll as an in-state or out-of-state student. Below is a look at some of the schools that offer LPN to RN programs in NY to give you an idea of tuition costs. Be sure to check each school you’re interested in to find out exactly what you can expect to pay.
Finger Lakes Community College
Total Credits: 64
$213/credit in-state; $256/credit out-of-state
Genesee Community College
Total Credits: 64
$205/credit in-state; $230/credit out-of-state
What features should I look for in an LPN to RN program in New York?
Schools may differ in the specific classes they offer or the types of scholarships available for students in LPN to RN programs in NY. However, there are some things you should look for in any program you consider. Most importantly, you want a school that has been approved by the New York State Board of Nursing and accredited by the ACEN or the CCNE. Also, to set yourself up for success, look for schools that have high NCLEX-RN pass rates, as well as impressive clinical experience options.
Are There 6 Month LPN to RN Programs in New York?
Are you ready to expand your professional horizons and use the experience you’ve gained as an LPN to move into an RN role? Do you want to take on more responsibilities as a nurse and set yourself up for possible further advancement? Although you may be looking into 6-month LPN to RN programs in New York to help you achieve your goals, unfortunately, no school in the state offers these types of programs. However, you can benefit from accelerated programs around the state, and we’ve hand-picked the following school as one of the best options for accelerated LPN-RN bridge programs in New York.
The LPN to RN Advance Standing Pathway offered by LaGuardia Community College leads to an Associate in Applied Science degree in nursing. To enroll, applicants first are required to qualify for general admission to the school so they can complete the pre-clinical phase of the program. General admission requirements include earning a high school diploma with at least a C average or a high score on the GED.
Once accepted, you’ll be required to declare your major as “pre-health/RN” and complete prerequisite classes, which includes courses covering English composition, algebra, anatomy, physiology, and psychology. To move on to admission into the LPN to RN Advance Standing Pathway program, you must have a current LPN license and a 2.75 grade point average in the prerequisite courses. In addition, you’ll be expected to successfully complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills examination.
After becoming a candidate for the LPN to RN degree, you’ll move on to the clinical phase of the program, which includes coursework in medical surgical, mental health, and parent-child nursing. In addition, students learn about community health, which prepares them to further build on their LPN experience so they can deliver quality care in diverse settings.
LPN to RN in New York: Earnings and Job Demand Comparison
Now that you've learned how to transition from LPN to RN in New York, let’s take a look at some of the advantages. The median RN salary in New York is $104,570, which is a notable 68% increase over the $62,360 median salary for LPNs. Entry-level RNs in the 10th percentile of pay earn $69,450, which is above and beyond the median pay for LPNs. Meanwhile, the 90th percentile RN salary is $136,780, nearly $60,000 higher than top-earning LPNs.
The demand for RNs in New York is exceptional, with a 25.5% growth rate. This far outpaces the national average of 5.6% and is anticipated to create 52,040 new jobs. While the growth rate for LPNs is similarly strong at 24.1%, RNs benefit from more job openings; there are 5,200 each year compared to 1,110 for LPNs. Learn more about your opportunity in the table below.
| Occupation | Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | New York | $69,450 | $104,570 | $136,780 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | New York | $49,250 | $62,360 | $76,890 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Occupation | Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
| Registered Nurses | New York | 204,040 | 256,080 | 52,040 | 25.50% | 5,200 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | New York | 45,960 | 57,020 | 11,060 | 24.10% | 1,110 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.