10 Best RN to BSN Programs in New York in 2023

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• #Rn To Bsn

Students who have completed an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) can further their education and obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through a bridge program, opening up more job opportunities and increasing compensation rates for registered nurses (RNs).

However, with all of the RN to BSN programs available, choosing which one is best for you can sometimes be challenging. To help your search, we've compiled the best ones available in New York, with information on coursework requirements, job opportunities, and more.

What Is an RN to BSN Program?

An RN to BSN program is explicitly designed for students who already hold an ADN and want to further their education by obtaining a bachelor's degree. These programs typically offer evening courses and online or hybrid options to accommodate students' work schedules. 

Nurses who have already obtained an ADN might wonder why they should further their education with a BSN degree; there are a few key reasons why a nurse might make this decision.

First, BSN-prepared nurses can expect more diverse nursing career opportunities, including management and leadership roles that are otherwise unobtainable with an ADN. BSN-prepared nurses will also have a higher pay rate than ADN-prepared nurses and can further their education with a master's degree, whether in nursing or another field of study. 

Related: 10 Fastest Registered Nurse (RN) Programs in 2023

There's also a push by some health systems to have their nurses be baccalaureate prepared as they work to obtain or hold their magnet recognition status, presented by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). It recognizes healthcare organizations "worldwide where nursing leaders successfully align their nursing strategic goals to improve the organization's patient outcomes."

Due to this recognition, many healthcare organizations offer tuition reimbursement or assistance to nurses seeking their BSN.

RN to BSN Prerequisites and Requirements

The prerequisites and admission requirements to enter an RN to BSN program will vary depending on your chosen program, but most programs will have similar parameters.

All RN to BSN programs have a license requirement for applicants as they must hold a current, unencumbered RN license for admission. Beyond an RN license, programs will have GPA requirements and prerequisite courses before entry. Students must hold an ADN, as well, which may include the following subjects: 

• English Composition
• Speech or Interpersonal Communication 
• Psychology 
• Sociology 
• Child/Human Development
• Liberal Arts Electives
• General Chemistry with lab
• Microbiology with lab
• Anatomy with lab
• Physiology 
• College Algebra
• Statistics
• Human Nutrition 

Many programs allow nursing students to complete these courses at a community college or the university where they plan to complete the BSN. Regardless of where you obtain your prerequisites, checking credit transfer eligibility with the program you plan on attending is essential to ensure your courses transfer appropriately.

Best RN to BSN Programs in New York in 2023

The following schools have been selected based on allnurses' methodology of surveying our readers to understand what they value most while selecting schools with the addition of NCLEX pass rates, graduation rates, student-faculty ratio, price, mode, duration, and admission rates of hundreds of the most prominent nursing schools in the United States.

1. University at Buffalo School of Nursing 

Located in Buffalo, NY, the University at Buffalo School of Nursing offers a 100% online RN to BSN program with rolling admissions, starting in the fall or Spring semesters. They rank first on our list with an 80% graduation rate and a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio. 

• Tuition: $375/credit hour for in-state; $438/credit hour for out-of-state
• Length: 12-18 months
• Admission rate: 56%

2. Stony Brook University School of Nursing 

Located in Stony Brook, NY, the Stony Brook University School of Nursing offers a fully online RN to BSN program with a 90% graduation rate and an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio. This program begins in May of each year.

• Tuition: $435/credit hour for in-state; $1,077/credit hour for out-of-state 
• Length: 12-24 months
• Admission rate: 41%

3. Molloy College Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing 

Rockville Center, NY, is home to Molloy College Barbara H. Hagan School of Nursing. The RN to BSN program is 100% online and offers 7- or 14-week courses. Student-to-faculty ratios are low at 10:1, and graduation rates are high at an impressive 90%.  

• Tuition: $870/credit hour
• Length: 12-18 months
• Admission rate: 84%

4. SUNY Delhi Nursing Program 

Located in Delhi, NY, the SUNY Delhi Nursing Program offers a fully online RN to BSN program with 7-week terms. They offer five start dates throughout the year. Graduation rates are 83%, and student-to-faculty ratios are 17:1. 

• Tuition: $295/credit hour for in-state; $353/credit hour for out-of-state
• Length: 12-18 months
• Admission rate: 77%

5. St. Joseph's College of Nursing 

St. Joseph's College has multiple locations in New York, including Brooklyn, Long Island, and Patchogue. They offer an online option with a 73% graduation rate and a 13:1 student-to-faculty ratio. 

• Tuition: $765/credit hour
• Length: 12-24 months
• Admission rate: 73%

6. Excelsior University School of Nursing 

Located in Albany, NY, the Excelsior College School of Nursing offers a fully online program, allowing students to transfer up to 61 credits from prior education. Graduation rates from Excelsior are 54%. 

• Tuition: $510/credit hour
• Length: self-paced
• Admission rate: open admission policy 

7. Le Moyne College Department of Nursing 

Le Moyne College calls Syracuse, NY home. The RN to BSN pathway is an online program with core courses offered in all semesters to accommodate the needs of various students. Graduation rates are high at 87%, and student-to-faculty ratios are 12:1. 

• Tuition: $839/credit hour
• Length: 12-18 months
• Admission rate: 69%

8. SUNY Polytechnic Institute Department of Nursing

In Albany, NY, SUNY Polytechnic Institute offers admission to the RN to BSN program in the fall and Spring semesters. Student-to-faculty ratios are 18:1, and students take courses in an online format. 

• Tuition: $357/credit hour for in-state; $805/credit hour for out-of-state
• Length: 12-24 months
• Admission rate: 67%

9. Roberts Wesleyan University School of Nursing 

Roberts Wesleyan College offers a 100% online RN to BSN program in Rochester, NY. Start terms are June, August, and October. Students will enjoy small student-to-faculty ratios of 12:1. Graduation rates are 86%. 

• Tuition: $1,090/credit hour
• Length: 12-24 months
• Admission rate: 59%

10. Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health 

Adelphi College, located in Garden City, NY, offers an online RN to BSN program except for 35 on-site clinical hours. Students will enjoy low student-to-faculty ratios at 12:1. 

• Tuition: $1,345/credit hour
• Length: 12-24 months
• Admission rate: 74% 

Salary Expectations of a BSN in 2023

Increasing salary sometimes motivates nurses to further their nursing education by obtaining a BSN degree. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that RNs with a bachelor's degree can expect a median salary of $77,600 per year, while BSN-prepared nurses in New York will see slightly higher median salaries at $96,170 per year.

This salary range will vary significantly based on prior experience, geographical location, and work setting. Due to the high demand for nurses, BSN-prepared nurses can leverage their education and potential when negotiating a higher salary, something an ADN-prepared nurse may be unable to do. 

FAQ and Additional Readings

Q: Do nurses who have completed an ADN and passed the NCLEX have to retake the exam after completing a BSN?

A: No, once you pass the NCLEX, you do not have to retake it, even after completing a BSN program. 

Related: 10 Best RN to BSN Programs in 2023

Q: What can a BSN do that an ADN-prepared RN cannot do?

A: Obtaining a BSN degree opens up more career opportunities for nurses. Nurses with a BSN degree can move into leadership and health education roles and pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) to become nurse practitioners and occupy other high-level positions. 

Q: Are NCLEX pass rates higher for BSN vs. ADN students?

A: NCLEX first-attempt pass rates are higher for BSN students vs. ADN students. In 2020, ADN students' first-attempt pass rate was 86.53%, while the first-attempt pass rate for BSN students was 92.83%.