BSN Programs in New York

BSN Programs in New York

By EveryNurse Staff on June 14, 2021

BSN Programs in New York

Nursing is a solid career path that offers job security, but it also takes a lot of work. Most New York nurses don’t do it for the money, although they do make good salaries. The workload is hard, and you will be pressed as a professional. Even so, many nurses feel their job is worthwhile because of the intrinsic reward of helping others during their greatest times of need.

If you are great at caring for others and have a strong interest in medicine, then you would make a good nurse. Nursing is a growing field that offers stability within the workforce. Nursing students in New York will need to accomplish a lot of serious work at a school of nursing in order to earn their degree. Over time, nurses will need to have at least a BSN to keep practicing as a registered nurse.

There is a national shortage of nurses, due to an increased population needing acute medical care that typically comes with age, along with an aging nursing population nearing retirement. With the Boomer Generation aging into retirement age and even geriatric status, new nursing growth across the country is already projected to grow at 12%,  a much faster rate than most occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The effects of COVID-19 may push that number even higher.

Why BSN Programs Are a Compelling Choice

Within nursing, there are a variety of career path opportunities that require various levels of training. Registered nurses must obtain at least an associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) before they are allowed to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). When studying for an associate’s degree, a nursing student will take the basic nursing courses over a period of about two years. During that time, they will take clinicals and learn the basics needed for nursing. While meeting basic requirements, the ADN does not have nearly the rigorous expectations that the bachelor’s program holds.

The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree requires about four years of full-time course loads to complete. The BSN-prepared nurse receives far more in-depth training in preparation for an intense and difficult career. Nurses with BSN degrees have been shown to feel more confident about their careers and provide better patient care, which results in higher patient outcomes.

BSN-Prepared Nurses Learn Team-Player Skills

With more time spent on supplemental courses, the BSN-prepared nurse works well in a medical team setting. Working as a team requires good communication and a willingness to collaborate. A recent NurseJournal article on teamwork in nursing notes:

“The increased emphasis on patient safety in hospitals has brought an increased understanding of the importance of teamwork in healthcare. Multiple research studies have confirmed that group teamwork among healthcare professionals leads to higher staff job satisfaction, increased patient safety, and greater patient satisfaction…Lack of teamwork and leadership can result in higher medical errors.”

In BSN programs, students take more courses as part of the baccalaureate program, including more work completed with professors and other students. Not only will the BSN-prepared nurse be better prepared personally on a wide scope of nursing topics, but the collaborative nature of many BSN classes will also build stronger team-player skills.

Better Patient Outcomes Are Linked to Higher Nursing Degrees

The single most important issue in nursing comes down to high patient outcomes. Nurses want to ensure they are providing their patients with the best care their medical knowledge and practice can provide. Without question, higher patient outcomes have been linked to the training provided during the more in-depth BSN program. Nurses with a BSN degree are more prepared to care for patients and are more effective at helping to catch health issues. A 2019 Nursing Management article states:

“Evidence has repeatedly demonstrated that organizations with a higher percentage of BSN-prepared nurses achieve better patient outcomes, including lower mortality, a decrease in failure-to-rescue rates, and fewer hospital-acquired infections. The literature also shows that an increase in education is directly correlated with decreased length of stay and better outcomes in surgical patients. In addition, a meta-analysis exploration of BSN degrees and patient outcomes determined that higher BSN degree rates led to decreased failure-to-rescue and mortality and improved patient outcomes.”

Studies have shown a link between higher nursing degrees and better patient outcomes. Researchers note, “Patients who are cared for by a higher proportion of BSN-prepared nurses were less likely to die, stayed in the hospital for shorter periods, and faced lower health care costs.” Nurses are taught to use evidence-based practice, which bases healthcare decision-making on well-researched treatments based on quality evidence.

More Leadership Opportunities with a BSN

Nursing leadership courses are required for the BSN degree because leadership is a key component of everyday work for the BSN-trained RN. Nurses must be able to manage other healthcare workers, like LPNs, as well as their patients. Being able to effectively communicate and make decisions largely reduces pushback from patients and helps to avoid unnecessary risks to patients’ health. Nurses have to be trusted by patients and doctors alike.

Not only is the BSN-prepared nurse naturally more trained in the leadership aspects of nursing, but they are also able to hold positions of leadership in their workplaces. For example, RNs with higher degrees can become nurse managers or nurse leaders and can take charge in their units to ensure that employer objectives are achieved.

Improved Salary and Career Flexibility

As you will see in the next section, nurses are paid well and jobs are typically available throughout the country. The BSN degree is one of the more adaptable degrees because many employers are actively looking for nurses trained at the baccalaureate-level. This means that a BSN is easier to bring to other locations and often produces faster employment responses. Most BSN-prepared nurses make more than their ADN counterparts. Nurses who seek out nurse manager or leadership roles are usually paid even higher salaries because of their increased job responsibilities.

Career Outlook for Registered Nurses in New York

There is a very good career outlook for registered nursing in the United States. Nurses are positioned to make great salaries and have solid job security. Their positions are further protected by a large number of nurses approaching the age of retirement.

If you are planning to work as an RN in New York, you will want to pursue a BSN. New York nurses have demanding jobs in a quickly growing field. In fact, the BLS expects job growth for New York RNs to rise 20%, which is higher than most other professions and higher than many other states in the US. Nurses working in New York City make the most money of all professionals in the state. This means that, as a New York registered nurse, you will have a career path that is stable and lucrative. Because of the “BSN in 10” law, it is recommended that most nursing students start with a BSN from the get-go.

Increased Demand for Highly-Qualified Nurses

The current demand for registered nursing is leading to an increased emphasis on training new nurses. While most of the world deals with a lack of trained and qualified professionals, New York is actually doing well. The comprehensive report, “Supply and Demand Projections of the Nursing Workforce: 2014-2030” projects that New York will have more than 18,000 extra nurses in 2030. This same research shows California facing a nursing deficit of over 44,500; Texas needing nearly 16,000 additional nurses; and New Jersey needing over 11,000 nurses. This work was done under the assumption that enrollment numbers and demand would be the same as it was in 2014.

In 2020, New York City was hit hard by COVID-19. In March of 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo put out a nationwide call for nurses. In response, some staffing agencies offered up to an additional $10,000 per week in hazard pay. The CEO of Fastaff (a Denver-based staffing company that specializes in helping with nursing professionals during natural disasters) noted, “Typically when we’re fulfilling for a crisis, there are three or four hot spots around the country that we’re focused on. Since this is so widespread, there’s a great deal more competition for these nurses.

It’s hard to determine how this will impact the shortage in nursing. Will the pandemic drive out professionals, opening a gaping hole of need? Or will more people feel a calling to help while earning a high salary and appreciating job security along the way?

RN Salaries in New York

Nurses in New York make quite a bit more than the average US nurse. The New York RN will make over $85,000 every year, according to NursingProcess. There are currently over 76,000 nurses working in New York, and the average salary is expected to grow by 13% (or roughly $11,000) over the next five years. This would push the average salary to nearly $97,000 by 2023.

The difference between ADN and BSN New York salaries are significant. The nurse with an associate’s degree will make around $83,000 per year, while the BSN-prepared nurse will make over $90,000. This difference is due to the higher levels of responsibility that are typically given to nurses with a higher four-year degree. The majority of Baby Boomer nurses still in the workforce have their ADN. This means that most new hires are now being brought in with their BSN degree from a school of nursing, in an attempt to raise the levels of highly prepared nurses on the floor at any given time.

Is a BSN Required to Become a Registered Nurse in New York?

Recent changes in New York law require that RNs be on the path to obtaining their BSN. While a nursing student with an ADN can still get their RN license, they will need to get their BSN within ten years of becoming registered as a nurse. While some employers will pay for RN to BSN courses, others prefer that nurses have their BSN before being hired. This means that, even if you are not getting your BSN before taking the NCLEX, you will need to have a plan for earning a bachelor’s degree. This was a controversial law that took fourteen years to pass in New York. The goal with the “BSN in 10” law was to reach the recommended 80% threshold for BSN-prepared nurses in healthcare settings. Nurses who were already practicing before the law was signed have been grandfathered in and are not required to get their BSN within a certain time frame. On the other hand, nurses graduating after 2017 must complete their BSN degree within ten years of licensure or their license will be suspended.

Degree Guides

What to Look for in a BSN Program in New York

Getting your degree from the right school of nursing is an important first step in your career as an RN. There are a number of nursing schools in New York that may offer the program you want for your education. Getting an ADN or a BSN from a New York nursing school should take careful consideration. Here are some important things you should think about when applying for New York medical schools.

Program Offerings and Concentrations

Any school you consider should align with your goals as a nurse. Once you graduate, the degree you hold will either help you succeed in your career path or can cause you to take a roundabout educational path. Does the program align with your goals and future career plans?

Programs can allow undergraduate and graduate students to select concentrations for higher education focuses. These concentrations can help differentiate a nurse from their peers in the field. Look at all available schools to see what concentrations are available in order to achieve the specialization you want for your career path. Ensure that the program you consider offers training to help you get that area of specialization or concentration you want to pursue.

Admission Requirements and Prerequisites

Nearly all programs for nursing will require a certain level of prerequisites before applying. These include basic science and math courses that will need to be passed before taking more in-depth science, anatomy, and statistics classes. This is especially true for bridge programs for RN to BSN or ADN-BSN pathways. In order to move on to the next degree level, you need to have a solid understanding of the material that will be built on during the BSN coursework.

Some BSN programs are very exclusive and are difficult to get into. When a nursing program only admits a small number of entrants, many are turned away because their application is only adequate and they do not have overly impressive grades, service work, or academic achievements. If you have been turned down, then nontraditional courses might be ideal for you. For example, online programs are sometimes less exclusive and most ADN programs are easy to get into. If you are running out of options, you can use your ADN as the stepping-stone for obtaining your BSN down the road, through an RN to BSN program. Once you’ve completed your ADN with an accredited school, you will likely find that it is easier to transfer to the nursing school of your choice for their RN-to-BSN program.

Institution and Program Accreditation

It is very important that your nursing school has program accreditation. Schools can be accredited on state and national levels. The school as a whole can be accredited, as well as the individual programs that the school offers. Accreditation is a rigorous, expensive, and lengthy examination that schools go through to prove the strength and consistency of their program. The process makes it less likely that a school will offer a weak program because of the work that goes into proving the program’s value. We only allow accredited schools on our list because of how important this process is.

Two of the most well-known national accredited bodies are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE only accredits programs offering bachelor’s degree or master’s degree coursework.

Location

If you want to attend a traditional school in New York, then you will be limited in the nursing schools you can choose from. Among the top nursing schools that New York offers, such as the University of Rochester, many offer on-campus programs. Traditional students prefer the four-year program with plenty of campus life and experience as a college student.

However, for some students, choosing a school is less about the school’s physical location and more about staying in New York. If you live or work in New York and can’t leave for your nursing program, then you may need to consider an online RN program. Schools throughout New York (and the rest of the US) offer a wide variety of online nursing programs, degree options, and specialties.

Total Program Costs

Nursing school is not cheap, but the salaries will more than make up for the costs of obtaining your degree. Many BSN degrees run anywhere from $40,000 to over $100,000. Community colleges and state universities tend to run on the lower end of the price range while more exclusive colleges with larger private programs typically cost more. Also, in-state tuition usually costs less than out-of-state nursing programs.

There are scholarships available to help with the cost of tuition. Some students can even work with their employer to pay for their degree while they work. For students who are already working as an LPN or RN, an online BSN program can be done part-time to fit around your work schedule.

Sometimes, students get nervous about the costs of the BSN and want to start working sooner. To help with this, the ADN program allows you to start working within two years. However, this roundabout path of getting the two-year degree and later completing a bridge program to the BSN will end up costing you more and will create more inconvenience. You will have to complete your last two years of school (for your BSN) while working full-time, which can be a major challenge. The faster and more cost-effective route is to earn your BSN first, and then put most of your initial wages as an RN into paying off your tuition.

Faculty Credentials

Choosing the right school should mean attending classes given by professors who you respect and admire. Nursing schools rely on great professors to deliver accurate and relevant material. These highly qualified professors should have their master’s or doctoral degrees to ensure they are teaching below their educational level.

Whether professors are lecturing in-person or preparing online coursework, they need to have a firm grasp of the concepts and how to present it to students in a comprehensive and memorable way. While only a BSN is required to teach college courses, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) recommends that faculty hold a master’s degree or a doctorate degree in order to teach nursing students.

First-Time NCLEX Pass Rates

Looking at the NCLEX pass rates of a school can tell you a lot about the rigor of the program. If most of their students struggle to pass the NCLEX, that is likely not a good school for you. Instead, look for a nursing program that will provide you with the right information and training to pass the NCLEX and become registered as a nurse, without any issues. The NCLEX is an exam designed to show that you are ready to practice as a licensed and registered nurse. High pass rates are frequently tied to:

  • Capabilities of the faculty
  • Competency of the curriculum
  • Testing preparation
  • Supportive faculty
  • Hands-on training experience

Look for a college or university that has a high NCLEX pass rate. If you can’t easily find the rate for a given school, check the state’s Board of Nursing website. For comparison, in 2015, the national average for NCLEX pass rates was 84.5%. Also, don’t just look at last year’s rates; be sure to check the past five years to see whether the program offers consistency or if they just happened to have a good nursing class last year.

Quality of Clinical Partnerships

During your time with any given nursing school, you will need to complete clinical work. These hours are spent at a physical location where you can work in a real healthcare setting. Normally, nursing students must complete a certain amount of hours, although the exact number will depend on the program. The quality of clinical partnerships will be determined by the relationship the program has with hospitals in the area. If you are working on a remote nursing degree, you may find that your online nursing school will allow you to pursue your own clinical hours and will help you partner with a local facility.

Class Size and Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Look at what alumni and program graduates are saying about their education and programming. How was their experience? Did they feel prepared for real-world practice? The student-to-faculty ratio can be important because some students prefer large class sizes while others may struggle if the classes aren’t small. Finding the right student-to-professor ratio is important in selecting the right school. Consider whether you would like large lecture-style classes or small and intimate settings. The class size shouldn’t change the rigor of the program, but it may change how distracted or involved you feel during your studies.

Large New York campuses can feel overwhelming to those who are used to a small city or a country lifestyle. Even online programs will feel different depending on whether the professor has a lot of students or just a few. It can be a good learning experience when you are pushed out of your comfort zone with a blend of both small and large classes. You may also want to consider whether you prefer a large overall student body and graduating class or if you like the more intimate private school-style university.

Class Size and Student-to-Faculty Ratio

Look at what alumni and program graduates are saying about their education and programming. How was their experience? Did they feel prepared for real-world practice? The student-to-faculty ratio can be important because some students prefer large class sizes while others may struggle if the classes aren’t small. Finding the right student-to-professor ratio is important in selecting the right school. Consider whether you would like large lecture-style classes or small and intimate settings. The class size shouldn’t change the rigor of the program, but it may change how distracted or involved you feel during your studies. Large New York campuses can feel overwhelming to those who are used to a small city or a country lifestyle. Even online programs will feel different depending on whether the professor has a lot of students or just a few. It can be a good learning experience when you are pushed out of your comfort zone with a blend of both small and large classes. You may also want to consider whether you prefer a large overall student body and graduating class or if you like the more intimate private school-style university.

Additional New York Program Rankings

Related Articles