2 Year Nursing Programs in New York – Associate’s Degree in Nursing
Registered Nurses in New York must hold a minimum of an associate degree from an educational institution registered by the New York State Education Department and pass the NCLEX-RN licensure examination.
Studying for your Associate Degree – Nursing in New York
There are more than 70 ADN programs across the state of New York, delivered by community colleges, universities and dedicated nursing schools attached to hospitals. Programs vary in length between 18 months and four years depending on the institution and the options are chosen. Available formats include both daytime and evening/weekend study options to suit traditional and non-traditional students.
The state of New York has signed into law a requirement that all Registered Nurses must obtain a BSN within ten years of initial licensure, therefore, all ADN graduates will need to plan to return to their studies if they intend to remain licensed in the state.
New York is not a member of the original Nurse Licensure Compact. However, the state of New York has legislation pending which will allow it to become a member of the Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact. This means that RNs registered in New York will become eligible to obtain a multi-state license.
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Featured Programs
The Belanger School of Nursing
This hospital-based school awards an Associate of Science degree in Nursing (ASN). The program is registered by the New York State Education Department jointly with Schenectady County Community College and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
Pre-requisite courses for admission include biology, chemistry, and algebra. A GPA above 3.0 is preferred. Candidates are also required to sit the Kaplan Admissions Test.
The 64 credit program is designed to be completed within four semesters. The primary focus of the curriculum is clinical care of the hospitalized patient. The program also includes learning experiences in public health, primary care, and community services. The required courses in biological and behavioral sciences are provided at Schenectady County Community College.
After completion of the program, graduates are eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN licensure examination. The pass rate for previous graduates has been in excess of the state and US average.
650 McClellan Street
Schenectady, NY 12304
518-243-4471
Website: http://www.ellismedicine.org/school-of-nursing/
Hudson Valley Community College
Hudson Valley Community College offers a nursing education program leading to an award of Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS). The program can be completed in two years of full-time study with clinical nursing components beginning immediately. There is also a four-year part-time evening option with clinical nursing elements beginning two years after the start of the program.
This associate degree program is one of the most popular programs at Hudson Valley, and only around a quarter of applicants receive an offer of a place. Pre-requisite courses include biology, chemistry and math and completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
Hudson Valley Community College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the New York State Education Department. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and the pass rate of previous graduates has exceeded the state and US average.
80 Vandenburgh Avenue
Troy, NY 12180
518-629-4822
Website: http://www.hvcc.edu/hsc/nur/
Maria College
Maria is a Catholic college sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy. It offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree to prepare students with both a theoretical and clinical foundation for their nursing career. The classroom curriculum focuses on the science behind excellent nursing care while opportunities to practice the art of nursing are delivered through labs and clinical rotations.
Maria offers both a four-semester day option and a six semester evening option. Pre-requisites for entry to the program include courses in math, chemistry, and biology, a minimum GPA of 2.5 and completion of the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS).
Maria College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the New York State Education Department. Graduates are eligible for the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and previous graduates have achieved a higher rate of first-time passes than the state and US average.
700 New Scotland Avenue
Albany, NY 12208
518-438-3111
Website: https://mariacollege.edu/academics/nursing/nursing-aas-rn
Pomeroy College of Nursing at Crouse
Pomeroy College offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree for nursing students. Both a daytime and evening study option is available. The continuous study evening/weekend option can be completed in 18 months. The duration of the traditional format daytime program is two years.
The college offers classroom, laboratory and computer-assisted study, extensive clinical hours and a low student-to-instructor ratio.
The 64 credit program is designed to be completed within four semesters. The primary focus of the curriculum is clinical care of the hospitalized patient. The program also includes learning experiences in public health, primary care, and community services. The required courses in biological and behavioral sciences are provided at Schenectady County Community College.
The admission process is selective and competitive and includes an admissions examination, an interview and an essay. Pre-requisite courses include biology, chemistry and algebra. A holistic approach is used to assess candidates with academic achievement considered alongside previous life experiences, personal qualities, and evidence of interest in healthcare.
Pomeroy College is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the New York State Education Department. Graduates are eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and the pass rate for previous graduates is above the state and US average.
765 Irving Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-470-7481
Website: https://crouse.org/nursing/
St. Elizabeth College of Nursing
St. Elizabeth College of Nursing is a two-year private, non-profit college affiliated with the Mohawk Valley Health System. The college offers an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) which is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and approved by the New York State Education Department. Graduates are eligible to sit the NCLEX-RN licensure examination and the pass rate for previous graduates has consistently exceeded the state and US average.
The college offers a two-year daytime track including nursing courses only; a three-year daytime track which includes general education, science pre-requisite and nursing courses and a part-time evening/weekend option. The student-faculty ratio is 10:1 and the college is proud of its small class sizes and state-of-the-art technology. A strength of the school is its approach to clinical experience which combines the theory learned in class with immediate nursing practice and application of knowledge.
2215 Genesee St,
Utica, NY 13501
315-798-8347
Website: http://www.secon.edu/
Benefits of Associate Degree Programs
ADN students cover a substantially similar curriculum to BSN students but with fewer purely academic components. This generally means that an associate degree can be completed more quickly than a bachelor’s. Entering the workforce sooner allows newly qualified RNs to gain experience and pay for the cost of their education more quickly. However, the new legal requirement in New York to complete a BSN within ten years of licensure may offset these benefits.
Accreditation and Licensing in New York
Educational institutions use accrediting organizations to demonstrate that their programs meet and achieve educational standards. The two accrediting organizations for ADN programs are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
Nurse Licensing in New York is managed by the Office of the Professions which is part of the New York State Education Department (NYSED). The Professional Education Program Review unit within the Office of the Professions is responsible for registering nursing education programs within the state. The registration of a program means that it has met the department’s standards for accreditation. To meet the education requirements for an RN license in New York, you must graduate from a nursing education program that has been registered by NYSED.
In addition to educational institutions requiring registration, RNs must obtain an individual license in order to practice in the state. ADN graduates obtain a license by passing the NCLEX-RN examination at the end of their program of study.
Overview of Associate Degree Programs in New York
Although there are a substantial number of ADN programs running across the state, entry to these programs is often highly competitive. Applicants are asked to complete pre-requisite courses, admissions tests, achieve minimum GPAs and offer evidence of a genuine interest in nursing.
There are a number of different ways of referring to associate degrees in nursing. These include ADN, for Associate Degree, Nursing; AN, for Associate of Nursing; ASN, for Associate of Science in Nursing; and AAS, for Associate of Applied Science in Nursing. As long as the institution granting the degree is fully accredited by either ACEN or CCNE and registered by the New York State Education Department, graduates of all of these types of associate degrees are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination to obtain a license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the state.
Choosing an Associate Degree Program in New York
Many community colleges, universities and dedicated nursing schools across the state offer an associate degree program. The most critical factor in choosing an institution is that it is fully accredited by either ACEN or CCNE, and registered by the New York State Education Department. After this has been confirmed, other factors to consider include:
- The type of educational institution and the quality of the teaching;
- Curriculum and educational philosophy;
- Pre-requisite courses;
- Length of program;
- Clinical hours and where these take place;
- Program outcomes such as the pass rates for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam compared to the state and nationally, student course completion rates, student satisfaction rates, and graduate hiring data;
- Tuition and additional costs.
Lindsay is an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Nephrology Associates in Nashville, Tennessee. She is passionate about working with patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) to maximize their function and wellness.
