LPN to RN Requirements and Training Programs New York

The practical nurse program provides for fast entry to nursing, so you can start earning and working in healthcare in 12 months. If you have been an LPN for some time and gained practical experience as a nurse, you might be considering program options to become a registered nurse. LPNs work in a supportive role under the direction of a registered nurse. While patient care is rewarding, your role will be limited by the education, experience, and scope of practice for the state. Employer restrictions may also limit your role as a practical nurse. By continuing your education to a registered nursing degree, you will not only take a more active role in patient but also increase your earnings. Registered nursing will increase your career opportunities in acute, sub-acute, and long-term care facilities. The likelihood of promotions, opportunities to specialize in an area of practice, and continuing your education to the bachelor of science in nursing will also increase.

Your education and experience as an LPN will serve as the foundation for your entry into registered nursing. The LPN to RN program will award credit for your education, experience, and licensure to reduce the time required for the associate degree in nursing. When comparing programs, make sure to choose one that meets the standards of excellence outlined by the New York State Education Department (NYSED). Such programs will include theory and clinical experiences required for successful practice and passage of the National Council Licensing Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Registered nurses in New York earned an annual mean wage of $93,320 according to a 2021 report from the United State Bureau of Labor Statistics.

LPN to RN Requirements

Licensed practical nurses have the opportunity to complete an associate degree in nursing in just 12 to 18 months by enrolling in an LPN to RN bridge program. The ADN degree is the minimum educational requirement for licensure as a registered nurse. By “bridging” to the ADN degree, licensed practical nurses will receive credit for their education and experience and expand their knowledge of nursing at an accelerated pace.

The LPN to RN bridge program offers convenience and flexibility for licensed practical nurses who may want to continue working while they transition into the RN role. The ADN program and practice as a registered nurse opens a new experience in patient care for practical nurses. The LPN scope of practice is limited to tasks where they can provide assistance. RNs, on the other hand, are eligible for positions in pediatrics, emergency departments, OBGYN, and numerous other departments where they can provide care directly to patients. There is a great demand for registered nurses in hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics all across the nation, so you can work wherever life takes you. The LPN to RN program is designed to accelerate your path to registered nursing.

RN bridge programs in New York award up to 35 credits for liberal arts, nursing fundamentals, and liberal sciences. Some courses covered in these categories include psychology, chemistry, medical terminology, pharmacology, nutrition and diet therapy, nursing fundamentals, and lifespan development. Prerequisite courses such as anatomy and physiology, microbiology, speech communication, and math for health science may need to be completed before applying to the program. Some colleges administer a standardized entrance exam to assess applicants’ competency before admission to the program. An additional requirement may be the successful completion of an LPN to RN role transition course to support the transition from an assistive role to one where you will be responsible for direct care.

Once accepted to the program, you will begin at the second year and complete the requirements in 12 to 18 months. The second-year coursework will be heavy on nursing courses and clinical experiences in acute, sub-acute, and long-term care facilities. Practice sessions in the school’s lab will also provide opportunities for the development of nursing intervention skills. The abundance of practical activities facilitates the application of knowledge gained in the classroom. Graduates will be prepared to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and qualify for entry-level positions in nursing.

Admission Criteria

The LPN to RN bridge program is open only to licensed practical nurses who have completed an accredited practical nursing program and hold a current and unencumbered license in New York or another state. Based on the volume of applicants, admission may be competitive. Some general requirements are:

  • Application and acceptance to the college or university
  • A separate application submitted to the nursing department
  • Satisfactory ATI TEAS scores
  • Official high school transcript or a GED
  • A copy of the LPN license
  • A minimum grade of C on prerequisite courses
  • A passing score on the LPN entrance exam
  • Successful completion of the LPN transition course

Duration and Cost

The associate degree requires the completion of 64 to 65 credit hours. The LPN to RN bridge may award up to 35 credit hours for prior education and experience. The remaining 30 to 40 credits (based on an individual assessment) may be completed in 12 months full-time or 18 months part-time. The average cost of tuition is $4,800 per year for New York residents enrolled in a state college. Books, supplies, uniforms, and fees will increase the final cost.

New York RN Licensure Requirements

You must be licensed and registered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) as a registered professional nurse to practice nursing as an RN. You must not perform the duties of a registered nurse under your practical nursing license even if you are enrolled in a registered nursing program. You must not refer to yourself as registered nurse under the PN license.

Licensure and registration in New York require that you:

  • Be of good moral character
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Graduate from a nursing education program approved by NYSED
  • Complete NYS required infection control coursework and child abude reporting coursework
  • Pass the NCLEX-RN for another license examination acceptable to NYSED
  • Apply for an RN license with NYSED

After NYSED confirms your eligibility for a license, they will issue a license parchment and a registration certificate. The license is valid for life, unless it is surrendered, revoked, annulled, or suspended by the New York State Board of Regents.

Licensure Requirements for Graduates of NYS-approved Nursing Schools (and never licensed as an RN)

  • Submit an online application for RN licensure
  • Pay the $143 license and first registration fee by credit card
  • Register and take the NCLEX-RN
  • Verify your LPN/LVN license if you are licensed in another state or US Territory
  • You must complete an NYSED Approved Infection Control Course from an approved provider or qualify for an exemption if you completed a nursing program more than 4 years ago

A Limited Permit Option is available if you have not taken the NCLEX-RN. Fill out the application for a limited permit (Form 5). Complete Section I and then ask your prospective employer to complete Section II. Mail the completed form with the $35 fee to the Office of the Professions at the address at the end of the form.

The limited permit will expire one year later or 10 days after receiving notification of failing the NCLEX-RN. The permit is employer-specific, so you must request another permit if changing employers. The limited permit option is not available if you have ever taken the NCLEX-RN.

Licensure Requirements for Graduates of Nursing Schools in Another State or US Territory   

If you graduated from an LVN to RN program that qualifies you for a license in another state or US territory and have never been licensed as an RN, you can apply for a license in New York using the following steps:

  • Complete an NYSED Approved Infection Control Course and a Child Abuse Identification and Reporting Course from an approved provider or qualify for an exemption
  • Submit an online application for RN licensure
  • Pay the $143 license and first registration fee by credit card
  • Verify your nursing education – Complete Section I of a Certification of Professional Education (Form 2) and send it to your nursing school and ask that they complete Section II. Your school must verify your nursing education on Form 2 and then send it directly to NYSED. Form 2 must be signed by the registrar or accompanied by a transcript signed by the registrar
  • Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
  • Verify your LPN/LVN license if you are licensed in another state or US Territory

Renewing Your RN Registration

Your RN registration certificate will authorize you to practice as an RN for 3 years in New York State. The following registration after licensure is shortened to move your re-registration period to align with your month of birth. The registration renewal fee will be prorated for that period. You must renew your registration every 3 years to continue to practice as an RN in New York State. You are not legally allowed to practice as an RN while your registration is expired.

You must use the online renewal portal to renew your licensure. The service is available during the final five months of your current registration period and no more than four months past the expiration of your last valid registration period. You will receive your registration renewal documents by mail to be able to renew online.

You may use the online service to:

  • Complete your registration renewal application, request an optional Professional Photo ID Card, and pay for both with a credit card
  • Choose to become inactive in your new registration period, and/or
  • Change your address

Continuing Education Requirements for New York RNs

Registered nurses must complete three contact hours in Infection Control at initial licensure and every four years thereafter.

Contact the Board of Nursing

NYS Education Department
Office of the Professions
Division of Professional Licensing Services
Records & Archives Unit
Education Building – 2nd Floor

New York LPN to RN Programs and NCLEX-RN Pass Rates:

Albany, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Maria College
700 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY
(518) 438-3111
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 83.2%

Batavia, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Genesee Community College
1 College Road, Batavia, NY 14020,
585-343-0055
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.0%

Bayside, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Queensborough Community College
222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY 11364
718-631-6262
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.1%

Binghamton, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Broome Community College
PO Box 1017, Binghamton, NY 13902
607-778-5000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 59.2%

Bronx, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Bronx Community College
2155 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10453
718-289-5100
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 70.0%

Monroe College
2501 Jerome Avenue, Bronx, NY 10468
718-933-6700
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 65.6%

Canandaigua, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Finger Lakes Community College
3325 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424
585-394-3500
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 93.3%

Dryden, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Tompkins Cortland Community College
170 North Street, P.O. Box 139, Dryden, NY 13053
1-888-567-8211
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 74.7%

Garden City, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Nassau Community College
One Education Drive, Garden City, NY 11530-6793
516-572-7501
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 70.7%

Geneva, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing
196 North Street, Geneva, NY 14456
315-787-4000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 69.1%

Long Island City, NY LPN to RN Programs:
LaGuardia Community College
31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY 11101
1-718-482-7200
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 92.8%

Middletown, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Orange County Community College
115 South Street, Middletown, NY10940
845-344-6222
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.8%

New York, NY LPN to RN Programs:

Helene Fuld College of Nursing
24 East 120th Street, New York, NY 10035
212-616-7200
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 57.9%

Poughkeepsie, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Dutchess Community College
53 Pendell Road, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601–1595
845-431-8000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 82.9%

Queensbury, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Adirondack Community College
640 Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804
1-888-SUNY-ADK
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 81.8%

Rochester, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Monroe Community College
1000 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623
585-292-2000
Official website: 88.4%

Schenectady, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Ellis School of Nursing
1101 Nott Street, Schenectady, NY 12308
1-888-355-4746
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 86.4%

Selden, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Suffolk County Community College
533 College Road, Selden, NY 11784-2899
631-451-4110
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.6%

Suffern, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Rockland Community College
145 College Road, Suffern, NY 10901
845-574-4000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 91.6%

Syracuse, NY ADN Programs:

Onondaga Community College
4585 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215
315-498-2622
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.1%

Troy, NY LPN to RN Programs:

Hudson Valley Community College
80 Vandenburgh Avenue, Troy, NY 12180
518-629-4822
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 95.6%

Utica, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Mohawk Valley Community College
1101 Sherman Drive, Utica, NY 13501
315-792-5400
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 90.5%

Valhalla, NY LPN to RN Programs:
Westchester Community College
75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, NY 10595
914-606-6600
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 81.1%