New York nursing programs and career opportunities are plentiful, but it still takes hard work and the right education to become a registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), or certified nursing assistant (CNA). This is especially true in major cities like Brooklyn.

Registered nurses must be skilled at performing a variety of challenging tasks, including treating patients, performing diagnostic tests, operating medical equipment, and establishing patient care plans. To prepare for these tasks, aspiring RNs must complete a hospital diploma, associate’s degree, or bachelor’s degree program in registered nursing. Candidates must also successfully pass the NCLEX-RN national licensure examination.

Licensed practical nurses care for the sick or injured under the supervision of RNs, surgeons, and physicians, while nursing assistants provide hands-on support and perform basic care tasks. LPNs must complete a 12- to 18-month certificate program and successfully pass the NCLEX-PN national licensure examination, while CNAs require a shorter training program of several weeks to a few months in length.

Graduates of Brooklyn’s top nursing schools may seek employment at major local hospitals and healthcare centers, including New York Methodist Hospital, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, Brooklyn Hospital Center, Lutheran Healthcare, and Maimonides Medical Center. The earnings potential of local nurses is very promising. New York City’s RNs earn almost $84,000 per year on average, while its LPNs earn $52,000 annually and its CNAs earn over $34,000 per year.

The following is a list of accredited schools in Brooklyn, New York, that offer top-tier education and training programs in the healthcare field.

Brooklyn nursing schools by NCLEX score

AMG School of Nursing
110 Bridge Street | Brooklyn, New York 11201
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 95.8% NCLEX pass rate (2013 through 2021)
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
450 Clarkson Avenue | Brooklyn, New York 11203
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN: 92.4% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • DNP: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nurse-Midwifery
  • MSN: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Women's Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
New York City College of Technology
300 Jay Street | Brooklyn, New York 11201
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 88.4% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Touro College
902 Quentin Road, Third Floor | Brooklyn, New York 11223
  • Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 80.8% NCLEX pass rate (2015 through 2021)
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN: 80.4% NCLEX pass rate (2014 through 2021)
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Kingsborough Community College
2001 Oriental Boulevard | Brooklyn, New York 11235
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 79.5% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
Clara Barton High School for Health Professions
901 Classon Avenue | Brooklyn, New York 11225
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing (Secondary): 75.9% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
LIU Brooklyn
One University Plaza | Brooklyn, New York 11201
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 74.5% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Accelerated Second Degree BSN
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Administration
  • Master of Science in Nursing
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
  • Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
  • RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn
245 Clinton Avenue | Brooklyn, New York 11205
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 70.9% NCLEX pass rate (2017 through 2021)
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
  • MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
  • MSN: Nursing Education
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Medgar Evers College
1650 Bedford Avenue | Brooklyn, New York 11225
  • Certificate in Practical Nursing: 68.8% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 68.8% NCLEX pass rate (2012 through 2021)
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
St. Francis College
180 Remsen Street | Brooklyn Heights, New York 11201
  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing: 59.4% NCLEX pass rate (2017 through 2021)
  • RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
ASA College
151 Lawrence Street | Brooklyn, New York 11201
  • Associate Degree in Nursing: 54.8% NCLEX pass rate (2013 through 2021)
Access Careers
25 Elm Place, Suite 201 | Brooklyn, New York 11201
  • Nursing Assistant Certificate
School Program NCLEX score Time period
AMG School of Nursing Certificate in Practical Nursing 95.8% 2013 to 2021
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University Accelerated Second Degree BSN 92.4% 2012 to 2021
DNP: Family Nurse Practitioner
DNP: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Nurse-Midwifery
MSN: Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate: Nursing Education
Post-Master's Certificate: Women's Health Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Doctor of Nursing Practice
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
New York City College of Technology Associate Degree in Nursing 88.4% 2012 to 2021
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Touro College Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing 80.8% 2015 to 2021
Accelerated Second Degree BSN 80.4% 2014 to 2021
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Kingsborough Community College Associate Degree in Nursing 79.5% 2012 to 2021
Clara Barton High School for Health Professions Certificate in Practical Nursing (Secondary) 75.9% 2012 to 2021
LIU Brooklyn Bachelor of Science in Nursing 74.5% 2012 to 2021
Accelerated Second Degree BSN
MSN: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Family Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Nursing Administration
Master of Science in Nursing
Post-Master's Certificate: Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner
Post-Master's Certificate: Family Nurse Practitioner
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
RN-to-MSN Degree Completion
St. Joseph's College - Brooklyn Bachelor of Science in Nursing 70.9% 2017 to 2021
MSN: Adult-Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist
MSN: Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
MSN: Nursing Education
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
Medgar Evers College Certificate in Practical Nursing 68.8% 2012 to 2021
Associate Degree in Nursing 68.8% 2012 to 2021
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
St. Francis College Bachelor of Science in Nursing 59.4% 2017 to 2021
RN-to-BSN Degree Completion
ASA College Associate Degree in Nursing 54.8% 2013 to 2021
Access Careers Nursing Assistant Certificate
Category: 
New York