What does it take to become a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or certified nursing assistant (CNA) in New York’s Westchester County? The responsibilities and requirements actually vary significantly by nursing role.

Registered nurses must be skilled at performing a variety of challenging duties that include conducting diagnostic tests, analyzing results, and establishing effective care plans for the sick and injured. As a result, healthcare providers require at least a hospital diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree for any nurse. Many employers prefer to hire nurses with a master’s degree, particularly for senior positions. Regardless of degree program, all nurses must hold an active license to practice in the state of New York.

Licensed practical nurses care for the sick, injured, or convalescent under the supervision of RNs and physicians. New York’s LPNs must complete a 12- to 18-month certificate program and successfully pass the national licensure exam in order to practice.

Nursing assistants provide hands-on patient care and perform routine tasks under the supervision of nursing or medical staff. New York’s CNAs must complete a brief certificate program of several weeks in length and obtain state certification.

Graduates of Westchester County’s top nursing programs will have the skills to join the area’s growing community of nurses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs in the broader New York City metro area earn a median annual salary of $83,910. The area’s LPNs average $52,110 in annual income, and its CNAs earn $34,210 per year.

Below you’ll find a list of accredited nursing schools in New York’s Westchester County that offer some of the region’s top nursing programs.

Westchester County nursing schools by NCLEX score

Iona College
171 White Plains Road | Bronxville, New York 10708
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (includes historical data for Concordia College New York): 94.3% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Pace University - Westchester
861 Bedford Road | Pleasantville, New York 10570
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN: 94.2% NCLEX pass rate (2015 through 2021)
  • Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 89.0% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
  • MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Westchester Community College
75 Grasslands Road | Valhalla, New York 10595
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 92.8% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Manhattanville College
2900 Purchase Street | Purchase, New York 10577
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 88.9% NCLEX pass rate (2021 through 2021)
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
Southern Westchester BOCES
450 Mamaroneck Avenue, Second Floor | Harrison, New York 10528
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 84.5% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Cochran School of Nursing
967 North Broadway | Yonkers, New York 10701
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 83.8% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Montefiore School of Nursing
53 Valentine Street | Mount Vernon, New York 10550
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 81.5% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Mercy College
555 Broadway | Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522
  • Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 68.4% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing: 54.8% NCLEX pass rate (2016 through 2021)
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
School Program NCLEX score Time period
Iona College Bachelor of Science in Nursing (includes historical data for Concordia College New York) 94.3% 2012 to 2021
Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Pace University - Westchester Accelerated Second Degree BSN 94.2% 2015 to 2021
Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing 89.0% 2012 to 2021
Doctor of Nursing Practice: Family Nurse Practitioner
Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
MSN: Clinical Nurse Leader
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Westchester Community College Associate Degree in Nursing 92.8% 2012 to 2021
Manhattanville College Bachelor of Science in Nursing 88.9% 2021 to 2021
Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
Southern Westchester BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 84.5% 2012 to 2021
Cochran School of Nursing Associate Degree in Nursing 83.8% 2012 to 2021
Montefiore School of Nursing Associate Degree in Nursing 81.5% 2012 to 2021
Mercy College Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing 68.4% 2012 to 2021
Accelerated Second Degree in Nursing 54.8% 2016 to 2021
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Nursing Administration
MSN: Nursing Education
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Administration
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
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New York