Best New York LPN to RN/BSN Programs 2026
New York provides LPN to RN bridge programs designed to expand nursing practice. Students study advanced subjects such as health assessment and pharmacology. Clinical placements prepare graduates for licensure and registered nursing roles across healthcare environments.
2026 Best LPN to RN Programs in New York
Utica University
Utica, NY - Private 4-year - utica.edu
Associate - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Utica University's Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) is a 16-month hybrid program tailored for LPNs seeking to become RNs. It requires at least 65 non-nursing college credits or a bachelor's degree and combines online coursework with in-person labs and clinical rotations. The curriculum prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam, offering three start dates annually and enhancing career prospects in healthcare. No ACT or SAT is required for this bachelor's level program.
- 16-month accelerated program
- Hybrid learning format
- Three annual start dates
- Requires 65 non-nursing credits
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
- Online classes with lab components
- Clinical rotations included
Genesee Community College
Batavia, NY - Public 2-Year - genesee.edu
Associate - Advanced Placement LPN to RN
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
Genesee Community College's Advanced Placement LPN to RN program is a hybrid option enabling licensed practical nurses to become registered nurses in two semesters. Accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, it features high-fidelity simulations, virtual reality scenarios, and clinical experiences across Western New York. With an NCLEX pass rate exceeding national and state averages, graduates are prepared for diverse healthcare roles, supported by HyFlex learning and state-of-the-art facilities.
- Two-semester LPN to RN track
- High NCLEX pass rates
- State-of-the-art nursing facility
- Diverse clinical experience locations
- HyFlex learning capabilities
- Virtual reality clinical scenarios
- Clinical sites across WNY region
- ACEN accredited program
Monroe College
Bronx, NY - Private 4-year - monroecollege.edu
Associate - LPN to RN Option
Campus Based - Visit Website
Monroe College's LPN to RN program in New York provides a fast-track AAS degree for licensed practical nurses seeking to advance to registered nursing roles. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on training in anatomy, chemistry, pharmacology, and healthcare, integrated with liberal arts courses. Designed for full-time completion in one year, it prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam through career-focused skills and supportive faculty. Admission involves a holistic review by the Clinical Admission Committee, with no specific entrance exam required. This campus-based program is military-friendly and dedicated to student success in nursing careers.
- Full-time study in one year.
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
- Hands-on, career-focused skills.
- Courses in anatomy, chemistry, pharmacology.
- Liberal arts courses included.
- Holistic admission review process.
- Campus-based program.
- Experienced, supportive faculty.
- AAS degree awarded.
- Focus on student success.
Orange County Community College
Middletown, NY - Public 2-Year - sunyorange.edu
Associate - LPN to RN
Campus Based - Visit Website
Orange County Community College's LPN to RN program helps licensed practical nurses earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing through advanced placement options for those with prior education. Admission requires a minimum 2.75 GPA, completion of specific courses, and passing the ATI TEAS entrance exam. The curriculum focuses on nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, and patient care, preparing graduates for diverse healthcare roles. With campuses in Middletown and Newburgh, NY, it offers flexibility and robust support for career advancement in nursing.
- Campus-based program.
- Advanced placement options.
- Requires ATI TEAS test.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75.
- Completion of specific courses.
- Opportunities for advanced standing.
- Strong foundation in nursing.
- Preparation for modern healthcare.
- Flexible campus options.
- Support for career advancement.
Molloy University
Rockville Centre, NY - Private 4-year - molloy.edu
Associate - LPN to BS/RN
Campus Based - Visit Website
Molloy College's LPN to BS/RN program in Rockville Centre, NY, offers a campus-based pathway for Licensed Practical Nurses to earn a baccalaureate degree. Admission requires a current New York State LPN registration, a 3.0 cumulative GPA, and professional liability insurance. The program provides advanced standing opportunities through credit equivalency for clinical experience, allowing students to potentially accelerate their studies. Transfer credits are accepted per college policy, and it follows the same curriculum as generic nursing programs. This Roman Catholic-affiliated, military-friendly school does not require an ACT or SAT for this bachelor's-level program, focusing on supporting LPNs in advancing their nursing careers.
- Campus-based program.
- Advanced standing opportunities.
- Requires NYS LPN registration.
- 3.0 cumulative index needed.
- Professional liability insurance required.
- Transfer credits accepted.
- Follows generic nursing curriculum.
- Potential credit for clinical experience.
- Interview may be required.
- Designed for LPNs advancing education.
New York LPN to RN Program Overview
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
New York LPNs who plan to bridge to RN should expect selective admission and state specific prerequisites. While each college sets its own standards, applicants commonly need:
- Active, unencumbered New York LPN license and graduation from an approved practical nursing program
- High school diploma or equivalent and proof of U.S. high school level English proficiency if educated abroad
- Minimum college GPA set by the school, often with recent completion of key prerequisites such as anatomy and physiology I and II with labs, microbiology, English composition, psychology, human development or lifespan psychology, and math or statistics
- Standardized entry testing used by many programs, such as TEAS or HESI, meeting a minimum score
- Current BLS CPR for healthcare providers, physical exam, required immunizations, TB screening, and drug and background checks for clinical placement
- Possible validation of LPN competencies through a transition course, skills check-off, or challenge exams to receive advanced standing
- Good academic standing, and for competitive programs, recent direct patient care experience can strengthen an application for working LPNs
After program completion, candidates must pass the NCLEX-RN and meet New York licensure requirements, which include approved coursework in infection control and child abuse identification. Details are maintained by the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions.
Program Curriculum and Accreditation
LPN to RN bridge curricula in New York build on practical nursing experience and prepare students for entry-level professional RN practice. You will study:
- Advanced adult medical surgical nursing, pathophysiology, and pharmacology with dosage calculation
- Health assessment across the lifespan with emphasis on clinical reasoning and documentation
- Maternal newborn, pediatric, and psychiatric mental health nursing
- Geriatric and community or population health nursing, including care coordination
- Leadership, ethics, and evidence based practice appropriate to the ADN or BSN level
Clinical learning occurs in supervised settings such as hospitals, long term care, and community agencies, with skills and simulation labs on campus. These experiences prepare graduates to take the NCLEX-RN and transition to practice.
In New York, an RN program must be registered by the State Education Department to qualify graduates for licensure. Many schools also seek programmatic accreditation, commonly from ACEN for associate programs or CCNE for baccalaureate programs. State registration confirms the program meets New York educational standards and enables graduates to pursue licensure. National accreditation supports transfer credit, access to graduate programs, employer recognition, and often financial aid eligibility.
LPN to RN Schools and Classes
Across New York, LPN to RN pathways are offered by a range of institutions, including public community colleges, city and state university campuses, and private colleges. Some hospital affiliated schools also offer RN pathways. Programs may be structured as LPN to ADN for the quickest route to RN or LPN to BSN for a broader general education foundation and expanded career mobility.
Coursework typically includes a transition course that bridges LPN scope to RN scope, advanced medical surgical nursing, maternal child, pediatrics, mental health, pharmacology, health assessment, and community health. Students learn care planning, prioritization, interprofessional collaboration, and quality improvement. Upper division BSN coursework adds population health, nursing research, leadership, and informatics. Clinical rotations progress from foundational skills to complex patient care in acute and community settings.
Career Outlook
Registered nurses in New York work in diverse settings, including academic and community hospitals, long term and subacute care, home health, federally qualified health centers, specialty clinics, behavioral health, schools, and public health. Many roles include 12 hour or 8 hour shifts, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, which can provide scheduling flexibility along with variable work life balance depending on the unit and employer.
Compared with LPN roles, RNs practice under a broader scope with greater responsibility for comprehensive assessment, care planning, patient education, and coordination of interprofessional care. This wider scope generally supports higher earnings potential, access to specialty certifications, and clearer pathways into leadership, education, case management, and advanced practice with further study. Demand for RNs in New York is sustained by hospital services, aging populations, home and community based care expansion, and ongoing needs in behavioral health and primary care.
LPN to RN Program Length
- Full time bridge programs: Often 12 to 18 months to complete nursing requirements after prerequisites for LPN to ADN, and approximately 24 to 36 months for LPN to BSN depending on general education transfer
- Part time options: Commonly extend timelines to 18 to 30 months for ADN level study, and 3 to 4 years for BSN, depending on course load and clinical availability
- Evening or weekend formats: Designed for working LPNs, typically mirror part time timelines, with clinicals scheduled on evenings or weekends when partner sites are available
Total time to graduation depends on how many prerequisites you have completed, validation of prior learning, clinical placement capacity, and whether summer terms are available.
2026 Fastest LPN to RN Programs in New York
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Utica University |
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| Monroe College |
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| Orange County Community College |
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Tuition and Costs
Program costs vary by institution type and length:
- Public community and state colleges: In state tuition for the nursing portion of an LPN to ADN commonly falls in the low to mid five figure range when including fees and labs, depending on credits needed
- Public university LPN to BSN: Total tuition is higher due to additional upper division credits, often in the mid five figure range for in state students
- Private colleges and universities: Tuition can range substantially higher than public options
Additional expenses to budget:
- Textbooks, course materials, skills lab supplies, uniforms, shoes, stethoscope
- Background check, drug screening, immunizations, physical exam, and CPR certification
- Transportation and parking for clinicals, which may be off campus and vary by semester
- Licensure costs after graduation, including the New York RN licensure application fee and the NCLEX examination fee
- Housing and living costs, which vary widely across New York. Many ADN students commute, while some university based BSN programs offer on campus or affiliated housing at market rates
2026 Affordable LPN to RN Programs in New York
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Genesee Community College |
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| Suffolk County Community College |
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| Orange County Community College |
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Can I Take LPN to RN Classes Online?
New York permits nursing programs to deliver some theory courses online, so many LPN to RN pathways are offered in hybrid formats that combine online lectures with on campus labs and in person clinical rotations at approved healthcare facilities. Fully online prelicensure RN programs are not available because hands on skills labs and direct patient care are required for licensure preparation.
Working LPNs often choose hybrid or evening and weekend schedules to balance employment and school. Clinical schedules are set by the program in collaboration with clinical partners and may include weekday, evening, or weekend hours.
LPN to RN Licensure Requirements in New York
NCLEX-RN Exam Information
Graduates of LPN to ADN or LPN to BSN bridge programs must pass the NCLEX-RN to obtain RN licensure in New York. You will apply for RN licensure with New York State and separately register for the exam with the official NCLEX program. After New York determines your eligibility, you will receive an Authorization to Test to schedule your exam. Exam results are sent directly to the state; a passing result is required for licensure. New York also requires completion of state-approved Infection Control and Barrier Precautions training and Child Abuse Identification and Reporting coursework for initial licensure.
RN Reciprocity and Nurse Licensure Compact
New York grants RN licensure by endorsement to nurses licensed in another U.S. state or territory who have passed the NCLEX-RN or a predecessor exam and meet New York’s education and training requirements. New York does not have reciprocity agreements that allow practice on another state’s RN license. New York is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so multistate licenses from compact states do not authorize practice in New York. RNs licensed in New York who want to work in other states must obtain that state’s license. Since New York is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, a New York license does not grant multistate practice privileges.
Licensure Requirements
The New York State Education Department Office of the Professions, Nursing regulates RN licensure. To become an RN in New York you must:
- Be at least 18 years old and of good moral character.
- Graduate from an approved RN education program (ADN or BSN) or an equivalent program accepted by New York.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN.
- Complete New York approved Infection Control and Barrier Precautions training, and Child Abuse Identification and Reporting coursework.
- Submit the application for licensure and first registration with required fees.
- Arranged for your nursing school to send official verification of education directly to the state; if you are licensed elsewhere, arrange official verification of that license for endorsement.
License Renewal
In New York, the RN license is permanent, but you must renew your registration to practice every three years. New York does not require a set number of general continuing education hours for RNs. You must complete Infection Control and Barrier Precautions training every four years and the Child Abuse Identification and Reporting course once for initial licensure unless exempt. Renew before your registration end date and retain documentation of required training for audit purposes.
Average LPN State Salary in New York
$66,380
2024 LPN Pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Average RN State Salary in New York
$110,490
2024 RN Pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
LPN to ADN Bridge Program
Program Length:
Typically 1 to 2 years.
Credential Awarded:
Associate in Applied Science (AAS) or Associate in Science (AS).
NCLEX-RN Eligibility:
Yes.
Program Focus:
This pathway builds upon the LPN's existing knowledge, focusing on core nursing concepts, comprehensive patient care strategies, and pharmacology to prepare for the RN role.
Average In-State Tuition in New York:
Tuition varies by institution type. For community colleges (SUNY/CUNY), it can range from approximately $5,206 to $6,704 per year. Private colleges will have higher tuition rates.
Best For:
LPNs seeking the quickest route to becoming a Registered Nurse and entering the RN workforce. It is also a good option for those who want a more affordable initial path to an RN license.
School Types:
Community colleges are the most common providers of LPN to ADN bridge programs.
LPN to BSN Bridge Program
Program Length:
Generally 1 to 3 years, depending on the program structure and the student's prior credits.
Credential Awarded:
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
NCLEX-RN Eligibility:
Yes.
Program Focus:
The curriculum is more comprehensive than an ADN program, including advanced nursing concepts, leadership, research, evidence-based practice, and community health.
Average In-State Tuition in New York:
Tuition is higher than ADN programs and varies significantly between public (SUNY/CUNY) and private institutions. Public university tuition can be around $8,741 annually, while private universities can be upwards of $37,000 per year.
Best For:
LPNs who have long-term career goals that may include leadership, management, or advanced practice nursing roles. It is also for those who want to be more competitive in the job market and have higher earning potential.
School Types:
Four-year colleges and universities offer LPN to BSN bridge programs.
Choose LPN→ADN If:
- Faster Entry into the RN Role: The shorter program duration allows for a quicker transition to working as a registered nurse.
- Lower Initial Cost: Community college tuition is generally more affordable than that of four-year universities, making it a more budget-friendly option.
- Foundation for Further Education: An ADN serves as a solid base for later pursuing a BSN through an RN to BSN bridge program.
- Immediate Career Advancement: Graduates can immediately take on more responsibilities and earn a higher salary than as an LPN.
Choose LPN→BSN If:
- "BSN in 10" Law: New York state law requires RNs to obtain a BSN within 10 years of initial licensure, making this a proactive step.
- Broader Career Opportunities and Higher Earning Potential: A BSN opens doors to a wider range of nursing roles, including leadership and specialized positions, and is associated with a higher salary.
- Enhanced Skill Set: The curriculum provides a deeper understanding of nursing theory, research, and leadership, preparing graduates for more complex healthcare environments.
- Pathway to Advanced Degrees: A BSN is the necessary foundation for pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a doctoral degree in nursing.
List of LPN to RN Programs in New York
Albany, NY
Excelsior University
- Associate - LPN to BS in Nursing
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Online with two hybrid courses
- Earn associate and bachelor's degrees
- RN licensure midway through program
- Flexibility for working nurses
- Growing nursing job market
Batavia, NY
Genesee Community College
- Associate - Advanced Placement LPN to RN
Online & Campus Based - Website
- Two-semester LPN to RN track
- High NCLEX pass rates
- State-of-the-art nursing facility
- Diverse clinical experience locations
- HyFlex learning capabilities
- Virtual reality clinical scenarios
- Clinical sites across WNY region
- ACEN accredited program
Bronx, NY
Monroe College
- Associate - LPN to RN Option
Campus Based - Website
- Full-time study in one year.
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam.
- Hands-on, career-focused skills.
- Courses in anatomy, chemistry, pharmacology.
- Liberal arts courses included.
- Holistic admission review process.
- Campus-based program.
- Experienced, supportive faculty.
Middletown, NY
Orange County Community College
- Associate - LPN to RN
Campus Based - Website
- Campus-based program.
- Advanced placement options.
- Requires ATI TEAS test.
- Minimum GPA of 2.75.
- Completion of specific courses.
- Opportunities for advanced standing.
- Strong foundation in nursing.
- Preparation for modern healthcare.
Rockville Centre, NY
Molloy University
- Associate - LPN to BS/RN
Campus Based - Website
- Campus-based program.
- Advanced standing opportunities.
- Requires NYS LPN registration.
- 3.0 cumulative index needed.
- Professional liability insurance required.
- Transfer credits accepted.
- Follows generic nursing curriculum.
- Potential credit for clinical experience.
Selden, NY
Suffolk County Community College
- Associate - Accelerated LPN-RN Program
Campus Based - Website
- 12-month accelerated nursing program
- In-person lectures and clinical experiences
- Builds on LPN clinical knowledge
- Competitive admission process
- Limited seats available
- Summer session start
- Acute care hospital rotations
Utica, NY
Utica University
- Associate - Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 16-month accelerated program
- Hybrid learning format
- Three annual start dates
- Requires 65 non-nursing credits
- Prepares for NCLEX-RN exam
- Online classes with lab components
- Clinical rotations included
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