The Hudson Valley includes the New York counties of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester. This area is home to 94,230 registered nurses (RNs), 58,220 certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and 20,480 licensed practical nurses (LPNs). These professionals earn some of the highest nursing salaries in the United States. For example, Hudson Valley’s RNs hold an impressive median annual salary of $83,910. Its LPNs earn $52,110 per year, and its CNAs earn $34,210 per year. These salaries are all $10,000-20,000 higher than the respective national averages.

To land a position as a registered nurse, you will need at least an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) or a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). Many high-level RN positions require a master of science in nursing (MSN) as well. LPNs must complete a state-approved certificate program of 12 to 18 months in length. CNAs must finish a shorter certificate program, usually several weeks to a few months in length.

With the right education and training, aspiring nurses are well-prepared for the demands of these challenging positions. On a typical day, RNs will perform a wide range of duties that include treating patients, performing diagnostic tests, establishing care plans, and providing emotional support to families. LPNs do everything from measuring and recording vital signs to teaching family members how to care for patients. CNAs frequently help patients with routine tasks such as cleaning, bathing and eating.

The Hudson Valley’s hospitals and healthcare centers are constantly seeking to hire well-trained nurses. Some of the region’s major nursing employers include Hudson Valley Hospital Center, Northern Westchester Hospital, Phelps Memorial Hospital Center, and St. Peter’s Hospital.

If you’re ready to begin a career in nursing, feel free to peruse our list below of the Hudson Valley’s top nursing schools and programs.

Hudson Valley 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
SUNY Orange - Newburgh
One Washington Center | Newburgh, New York 12550
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 93.4% NCLEX pass rate (2016 through 2021)
Westchester Community College
75 Grasslands Road | Valhalla, New York 10595
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 92.8% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Rockland Community College
145 College Road | Suffern, New York 10901
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 92.5% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
SUNY Orange - Middletown
115 South Street | Middletown, New York 10940
  • Associate Degree in Nursing (Evening): 92.4% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Associate Degree in Nursing (Daytime): 89.6% 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
Dutchess Community College
53 Pendell Road | Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 86.8% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Mount Saint Mary College
330 Powell Avenue | Newburgh, New York 12550
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 86.1% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
SUNY Ulster
491 Cottekill Road | Stone Ridge, New York 12484
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 84.9% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
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)
Dutchess BOCES
Five BOCES Road | Poughkeepsie, New York 12601
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Adult): 80.8% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Secondary Extended): 58.8% NCLEX pass rate (2013 through 2020)
Rockland BOCES
65 Parrott Road | West Nyack, New York 10994
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 79.7% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Nyack College
One South Boulevard | Nyack, New York 10960
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 78.9% NCLEX pass rate (2013 through 2021)
  • LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
Orange-Ulster BOCES
Four Harriman Drive | Goshen, New York 10924
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 78.1% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Ulster BOCES
727 Grant Avenue | Lake Katrine, New York 12449
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 73.5% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2020)
Dominican University New York
470 Western Highway | Orangeburg, New York 10962
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 71.9% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
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
SUNY Sullivan
112 College Road | Loch Sheldrake, New York 12759
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 64.2% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
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
SUNY Orange - Newburgh Associate Degree in Nursing 93.4% 2016 to 2021
Westchester Community College Associate Degree in Nursing 92.8% 2012 to 2021
Rockland Community College Associate Degree in Nursing 92.5% 2012 to 2021
SUNY Orange - Middletown Associate Degree in Nursing (Evening) 92.4% 2012 to 2021
Associate Degree in Nursing (Daytime) 89.6% 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
Dutchess Community College Associate Degree in Nursing 86.8% 2012 to 2021
Mount Saint Mary College Bachelor of Science in Nursing 86.1% 2012 to 2021
LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
SUNY Ulster Associate Degree in Nursing 84.9% 2012 to 2021
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
Dutchess BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing (Adult) 80.8% 2012 to 2021
Certificate in Practical Nursing (Secondary Extended) 58.8% 2013 to 2020
Rockland BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 79.7% 2012 to 2021
Nyack College Bachelor of Science in Nursing 78.9% 2013 to 2021
LPN-to-BSN Bridge Program
Orange-Ulster BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 78.1% 2012 to 2021
Ulster BOCES Certificate in Practical Nursing 73.5% 2012 to 2020
Dominican University New York Bachelor of Science in Nursing 71.9% 2012 to 2021
Accelerated Second Degree BSN
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Master of Science in Nursing: Family Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
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
SUNY Sullivan Associate Degree in Nursing 64.2% 2012 to 2021
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