Guide to New York’s BOCES LPN Programs
What is the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in New York?
Created by the New York State legislature in 1948, the Boards of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) provides education and career training to high school students, recent graduates, and adults in nearly all of the state’s 700+ school districts; 37 BOCES currently exist in the state.
BOCES offers a wide variety of educational programs and on-site job training, including auto body repair, building maintenance, computer repair and networking, criminal justice, electrical wiring, and practical nursing.
BOCES Licensed Practical Nursing Programs
Because of the increasing demand for healthcare professionals in New York State, the Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program is one of the most popular BOCES programs. Students enrolled in a BOCES LPN program can typically complete the curriculum in less than one year.
With New York State’s population estimated at 20 million people and increasing year after year, there is no shortage of opportunities for LPNs to work in settings as diverse as hospitals, nursing homes, private and public healthcare clinics, home health agencies, government agencies, private businesses, and more.
LPNs in New York State perform important tasks, such as:
- Administering medication
- Counseling patients and families on illnesses and treatment regimens
- Performing routine care procedures
- Assisting physicians and registered nurses
In addition, LPNs in New York also have opportunities to further their education through LPN bridge programs. These programs allow practicing LPNs to take online or in-person classes to earn Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees and become registered nurses.
How Do I Enter a BOCES LPN Program?
Because of the demand for LPN jobs in New York State, the BOCES LPN programs are popular and often have competitive admission requirements.
Although each district has its own separate admission process, most of the programs have the same standards for eligibility. These standards require that you:
1. Complete a Nurse Entrance Exam
This typically takes the form of the Test of Essential Academic Skills, or TEAS exam, which assesses your mathematics and verbal skills, including vocabulary and reading comprehension. Prep courses are available in many districts to help you prepare for this exam.
2. Possess a High School or GED Diploma
In order to be considered for a BOCES LPN program in New York State, you must submit proof of your high school or GED diploma.
3. Be at Least 18 Years Old
The BOCES LPN programs require that you be at least 18 years old, although some programs accept applications from students who are 17 years old.
4. Complete an Interview
Similar to a job interview, the BOCES LPN interview process consists of several questions designed to help program administrators determine if you’re a good candidate for becoming a healthcare professional in New York State.
5. Pass a Physical, Medical, and Background Screening
You must pass a physical, medical, and background screening, which includes immunizations, blood work, and a criminal background check. Drug screenings may also be included.
6. Receive CPR Certification
Most BOCES programs in New York State require that you are certified to perform CPR. You can receive certification at the school you are applying to or by completing a first aid class in your community.
Where are BOCES LPN Programs in New York State?
There are numerous BOCES LPN programs in New York State that serve students in nearly every geographic and metropolitan area of the state:
Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga BOCES
Suite 102, 900 Watervliet-Shaker Rd, Albany, NY (518) 862-4900
Visit the School's Website: Albany-Schoharie-Schenectady-Saratoga BOCES
Broome Delaware Tioga BOCES
435 Glenwood Road, Binghamton, NY (607) 763-3300
Visit the School's Website: Broome Delaware Tioga BOCES
Cattaraugus-Allegany-Erie-Wyoming BOCES - Belmont
5536 County Route 48, Belmont, NY (585) 268-5681
Visit the School's Website: Cattaraugus-Allegany-Erie-Wyoming BOCES - Belmont
Cattaraugus-Allegany-Erie-Wyoming BOCES – Ellicottville
5550 Route 242e, Ellicottville, NY (716) 699-2382
Visit the School's Website: Cattaraugus-Allegany-Erie-Wyoming BOCES – Ellicottville
Cattaraugus-Allegany-Erie-Wyoming BOCES – Olean
1825 Windfall Road, Olean, NY (716) 376-8200
Visit the School's Website: Cattaraugus-Allegany-Erie-Wyoming BOCES – Olean
Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES
1879 West Genesee St. Rd., Auburn, NY (315) 253-4899
Visit the School's Website: Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES
Columbia-Greene Educational Center BOCES
132 Union Turnpike, Hudson, NY (518) 766-3449
Visit the School's Website: Columbia-Greene Educational Center BOCES
Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES - Norwich
6678 County Road 32, Norwich, NY (607) 335-1200
Visit the School's Website: Delaware-Chenango-Madison-Otsego BOCES - Norwich
Dutchess BOCES
5 Boces Road, Poughkeepsie, NY (845) 486-4800
Visit the School's Website: Dutchess BOCES
Eastern Suffolk BOCES - Adult
350 Martha Avenue, Bellport, NY (631) 286-6585
Visit the School's Website: Eastern Suffolk BOCES - Adult
Erie 1 BOCES - Harkness Career and Technical Center
99 Aero Drive, Cheektowaga, NY (716) 632-1076
Visit the School's Website: Erie 1 BOCES - Harkness Career and Technical Center
Erie 1 BOCES - Kenton Center
151 Two Mile Creek Road, Tonawanda, NY (716) 821-7191
Visit the School's Website: Erie 1 BOCES - Kenton Center
Erie 1 BOCES - Niagara Lutheran Home
64 Hager Street, Buffalo, NY (716) 886-4377
Visit the School's Website: Erie 1 BOCES - Niagara Lutheran Home
Erie 1 BOCES – Potter Road Center
705 Potter Road, West Seneca, NY (716) 821-7336
Visit the School's Website: Erie 1 BOCES – Potter Road Center
Erie 1 BOCES – Southtowns Academy
4540 Southwestern Blvd., Hamburg, NY (716) 821-7191
Visit the School's Website: Erie 1 BOCES – Southtowns Academy
Erie 2 BOCES - Angola
8685 Erie Road, Angola, NY (716) 549-4454
Visit the School's Website: Erie 2 BOCES - Angola
Erie 2 BOCES - Buffalo
175 Jefferson Street, Buffalo, NY (716) 947-9056
Visit the School's Website: Erie 2 BOCES - Buffalo
Erie 2 BOCES - Cassadaga
8115 Glasgow Road, Cassadaga, NY (716) 595-4293
Visit the School's Website: Erie 2 BOCES - Cassadaga
Erie 2 BOCES - Jamestown
508 Cherry Street, Jamestown, NY (716) 484-9811
Visit the School's Website: Erie 2 BOCES - Jamestown
Genesee-Livingston-Steuben-Wyoming BOCES - Batavia
8250 State Street Rd, Batavia, NY (585) 658-7704
Visit the School's Website: Genesee-Livingston-Steuben-Wyoming BOCES - Batavia
Genesee-Livingston-Steuben-Wyoming BOCES - Spencerport
, Spencerport, NY (585) 349-9100
Visit the School's Website: Genesee-Livingston-Steuben-Wyoming BOCES - Spencerport
Genesee-Livingston-Steuben-Wyoming BOCES - Warsaw
450 North Main Street, Warsaw, NY (585) 344-7738
Visit the School's Website: Genesee-Livingston-Steuben-Wyoming BOCES - Warsaw
Genesee-Livingston-Steuben-Wyoming BOCES – Mount Morris
27 Lackawanna Ave, Mount Morris, NY (585) 658-7900
Visit the School's Website: Genesee-Livingston-Steuben-Wyoming BOCES – Mount Morris
Greater Southern Tier BOCES - Bush Campus
459 Philo Road, Elmira, NY (607) 734-3014
Visit the School's Website: Greater Southern Tier BOCES - Bush Campus
Greater Southern Tier BOCES – Coopers Campus
459 Philo Road, Elmira, NY (607) 739-7905
Visit the School's Website: Greater Southern Tier BOCES – Coopers Campus
Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES – Adult
2755 St Hwy 67, Johnstown, NY (518) 736-4300
Visit the School's Website: Hamilton-Fulton-Montgomery BOCES – Adult
Herkimer-Hamilton-Fulton-Otsego BOCES
352 Gros Blvd, Herkimer, NY (315) 867-2023
Visit the School's Website: Herkimer-Hamilton-Fulton-Otsego BOCES
Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer BOCES
20104 Nys Route 3, Watertown, NY (315) 779-7000
Visit the School's Website: Jefferson-Lewis-Hamilton-Herkimer BOCES
Madison-Oneida BOCES - Rome
4937 Spring Rd, Rome, NY (315) 334-8000
Visit the School's Website: Madison-Oneida BOCES - Rome
Madison-Oneida BOCES - Utica
502 Court St, Utica, NY (315) 793-8505
Visit the School's Website: Madison-Oneida BOCES - Utica
Madison-Oneida BOCES - Verona
4937 Spring Road, Verona, NY (315) 361-5500
Visit the School's Website: Madison-Oneida BOCES - Verona
Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES - Cortland
1710 State Route 13, Cortland, NY (607) 758-5100
Visit the School's Website: Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES - Cortland
Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES - Liverpool
4500 Crown Road, Liverpool, NY (315) 453-4455
Visit the School's Website: Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES - Liverpool
Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES - Syracuse
103 3rd St, Syracuse, NY (315) 426-9439
Visit the School's Website: Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES - Syracuse
Orange-Ulster BOCES
53 Gibson Road, Goshen, NY (845) 291-0100
Visit the School's Website: Orange-Ulster BOCES
Orleans / Niagara BOCES
4232 Shelby Basin Road, Medina, NY (800) 836-7510
Visit the School's Website: Orleans / Niagara BOCES
Oswego County BOCES
179 County Route 64, Mexico, NY (315) 963-4228
Visit the School's Website: Oswego County BOCES
Otsego-Delaware-Schoharie-Greene BOCES
31 Center Street, 3rd Floor, Oneonta, NY (607) 588-6291
Visit the School's Website: Otsego-Delaware-Schoharie-Greene BOCES
Putnam-Westchester BOCES
200 Boces Drive, Yorktown Heights, NY (914) 245-2700
Visit the School's Website: Putnam-Westchester BOCES
Rensselaer Educational Center BOCES
35 Colleen Road, Troy, NY (518) 283-5752
Visit the School's Website: Rensselaer Educational Center BOCES
Rockland BOCES
65 Parrott Road, West Nyack, NY (845) 627-4700
Visit the School's Website: Rockland BOCES
Southern Westchester BOCES
17 Berkley Drive, Rye Brook, NY (914) 937-3820
Visit the School's Website: Southern Westchester BOCES
Sullivan County BOCES
6 Wierk Avenue, Liberty, NY (845) 295-4000
Visit the School's Website: Sullivan County BOCES
Ulster BOCES
175 Route 32 North, New Paltz, NY (845) 255-1450
Visit the School's Website: Ulster BOCES
Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES - Hudson Falls
1051 Dix Ave, Hudson Falls, NY (518) 746-3400
Visit the School's Website: Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES - Hudson Falls
Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES - Saratoga Springs
27 Gick Road, Saratoga Springs, NY (518) 581-3670
Visit the School's Website: Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex BOCES - Saratoga Springs
Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Newark Education Center
131 Drumling Court, Newark, NY (315) 332-7272
Visit the School's Website: Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Newark Education Center
Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Rochester (Day)
435 E. Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY (315) 332-7374
Visit the School's Website: Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Rochester (Day)
Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Rochester (Evening)
435 E. Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY (315) 332-7374
Visit the School's Website: Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES - Rochester (Evening)
Western Suffolk BOCES
P.O. Box 8007, Huntington Station, NY (631) 549-4900
Visit the School's Website: Western Suffolk BOCES
Obtaining Financial Aid for BOCES LPN Programs
As with most higher education programs, attending a BOCES LPN program in New York State requires a substantial tuition fee. Fortunately, most students qualify for financial aid through the federal government. The most common financial aid options include:
PELL Grant
PELL Grants are issued by the federal government and are awarded to students based on financial need. This money is designed specifically to be used for tuition and living expenses while obtaining a degree or BOCES LPN certification and doesn't have to be paid back.
Stafford Loan
A Stafford Loan is also issued by the federal government and is designed to pay for tuition and living expenses. However, unlike PELL Grants, students must begin paying back the money they borrowed within a certain timeframe after graduating or completing their educational program. Stafford Loans generally have much lower interest rates than student loans offered by private banks and credit institutions.
Completing the BOCES LPN Coursework
Depending on the type of course you signed up for, your program may take between one year (full-time) and two years (part-time) to complete. As an LPN student in the New York State BOCES program, you will be expected to achieve and maintain high standards of academic progress for things like:
Attendance
Learning to become an effective LPN requires hundreds of hours of hands-on training. Attendance and punctuality are mandatory in BOCES LPN programs and often factor into your grade.
Grades
As an LPN student, you will receive regular feedback concerning your grades and overall progress in the program’s curriculum.
Personal Conduct
In the workforce, LPNs are expected to maintain high levels of professionalism at all times. Standards of personal conduct and behavior are noted in the handbooks of BOCES LPN programs and are strictly enforced.
If you meet all the program’s requirements, you will receive a certificate of completion from your BOCES facility. Once you’ve received your certification, you’re free to take the New York State NCLEX-PN exam to obtain your nursing license.
Getting Your LPN License in New York
Successfully completing a BOCES LPN program is the first step toward LPN licensure in New York State. To begin practicing in NY, you must be fully licensed and registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Beyond completing your LPN program, other requirements for licensure include:
- Be of good moral character (i.e. no criminal convictions or pending charges, etc.) - this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis
- Complete New York State's required infection control coursework
- Pass the licensure exam, such as the NCLEX-PN examination
- Apply for an LPN license with NYSED
- Pay the free for licensure and first registration (currently $143 but is subject to change)
Be sure to review NYSED's LPN licensure requirements for further information.
Employment Opportunities and Job Placement for BOCES LPN Graduates
Each BOCES LPN program has different rates regarding job placement after students complete the required coursework and pass the NCLEX exam. However, employment rates are generally high and match the overall trend for LPN hiring throughout the country. See what kind of potential salary is available for LPNs.
For example, the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison BOCES LPN program claims a 77 percent graduation rate and a 77 percent job placement rate. In 2022, Western Suffolk BOCES reported an LPN retention rate of 81 percent, a job placement rate of 73 percent, and an NCLEX pass rate of 100 percent.
If you are concerned about the possibility of finding a job after completing a BOCES LPN program, contact your local BOCES facility and ask for their most recent graduation and employment numbers.
NY LPN Programs by City
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