One of the fastest routes to becoming a registered nurse (RN) is an associate’s degree. Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) offerings fall into two broad categories. Associate of science (AS) and associate of arts (AA) programs prepare candidates for subsequent transfer into a bachelor’s degree program. By contrast, an associate of applied science (AAS) degree is a terminal program that prepares students for immediate employment upon graduation. Each program requires two to three years to complete, and all prepare graduates to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Students in either program must complete 70 to 80 credit hours of study to graduate, and many programs offer evening and weekend schedules to accommodate working students.
New York has 60 approved ADN programs across the state, educating over 5,000 graduates annually. Most of New York’s accredited ADN programs have an NCLEX-RN pass rate well in excess of 80%; the best programs consistently see over 90% of their students pass the exam. While community colleges have traditionally educated most associate’s degree candidates, private schools are increasingly filling the void as the demand for nurses outpaces supply.
Below is a list of accredited New York schools that offer some of the state’s best associate’s degree in nursing programs.