Do you wish to be a part of the healthcare sector in the state of New York and work as a registered nurse? If yes, you must acquire the knowledge and skills in addition to a state license that RN’s hold. While there are a number of career options you may consider, exploring opportunities in the healthcare sector can be a suitable choice. The Nursing and Allied Health Care Professionals Workforce Survey report (2012) shows that the health care sector continues to be among the fastest growing sectors of the US economy. The most recent New York State Department of Labor data shows that the health care sector added more than 19,000 jobs between January 2011 and January 2012 while statewide, hospitals and health care systems support over 686,000 jobs.
According to the New York State Education Department, there are four distinct nursing professions in New York State: Registered Professional Nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Licensed Practical Nurse and Nurse Practitioner.
A Registered Professional Nurse (RN) performs health assessments, diagnoses and treats patients, educate and counsel patients about their health and also execute medical procedures as prescribed by physicians. A Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is an RN who has completed advanced clinical nursing education and is certified by New York State as a clinical nurse specialist. CNS’s may specialize in areas such pediatrics, psychiatry/mental health and more.
A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is an RN who has earned a separate license as an NP through advanced clinical nursing education in an area of practice. NPs are responsible for diagnosing, treating, and prescribing patient’s condition. A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides nursing care tasks and procedures under the supervision of an RN, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, physician, or other authorized health care provider.^
A number of colleges in New York State offer LPN to RN programs. These degrees are designed for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) who wish to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing and become Registered Nurses. Focusing on theory and experience in basic maternal/newborn nursing, nursing of adults and geriatric clients, and mental health nursing, the program provides an opportunity for Licensed Practical Nurses to acquire further qualifications.^
There were a total of 169,170 RN jobs in 2010 in New York; for LPNs, it was 45100 jobs. From 2010 to 2013, RN employment increased at the rate of 0.38% in New York. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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To enroll in a LPN to RN program, you must:
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Complete an application and interview for admission
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Hold current, active LPN or LVN license from the US or from a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
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Have a minimum high school cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 2.75
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Submit ACT and SAT test scores
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Complete and clear the Admissions Assessment test
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Ranging from human biology to drug dose consultation, the LPN to RN program will provide instruction to students in a variety of topics, giving an insight into the healthcare theory and practice. Some of the courses students may take are:
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Historical perspectives of nursing
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Essentials of maternal/newborn nursing
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Psychiatric nursing
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Nursing process
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Health assessment
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Global and rural health nursing
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Nursing organization and management
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Aspiring RNs in New York need to obtain a license. To be licensed as a registered professional nurse in the State of New York you must:
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Be at least eighteen years of age
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Meet education requirements
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Demonstrate good moral character
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Meet examination requirements
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Present satisfactory evidence of having received at least a two-year degree or diploma from a program in general professional nursing
Besides, applicants must complete coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse, infection control and barrier precautions, including engineering and work practice controls, to prevent the transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the hepatitis b virus (HBV).^
According to a 2012 U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, the health care sector of the economy is outpacing the growth estimated in 2011.This accounts for one out of every five jobs created this year. The health care sector added 296,000 jobs nationally in 2011, 6% of which were in New York State.
Registered nurses typically work in:
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Hospitals; state, local, and private
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Nursing and residential care facilities
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Offices of physicians
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Home health care services
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Government
About 64% percent of active RNs work in hospitals. New York City has the State’s highest percentage (45%) of BSNs.^
According to New York State Board, there will be about 5,720 job openings for RNs in the state between 2010 and 2020. According to the data with O Net Online, the median annual wage for registered nurses in NY was $74,400 in 2013.
Compare LPN and RN Wages in New York
|
Year |
RN Salary in NY |
LPN Salary in NY |
|
2013 |
$75,470 |
$45,030 |
|
2012 |
$74,100 |
$44,250 |
|
2011 |
$75,370 |
$43,820 |
|
2010 |
$74,000 |
$42,730 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Students who wish to enroll in the LPN to RN programs but do not have sufficient financial resources to manage their educational expenses can apply for financial assistance in the form of grants, scholarships and loans. Funds for nursing students are available at local, State and Federal levels. Such financial assistance is offered by private foundations, institutes and colleges of higher education with nursing programs and the New State Education Department. Students can apply for financial aid programs such as:
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Announces the Edna A. Lauterbach Scholarship Fund
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Patrick Charnon Memorial Scholarship
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Elizabeth and Sherman Asche Memorial Scholarships
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Alvin J. Cox Memorial Fund
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Registered nurses who successfully complete an associate degree can pursue advanced programs by enroll in the bachelor, master’s or PhD programs. These programs enable students to acquire skills that are essential for advanced RN careers such as nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, or nurse practitioners. Doctoral programs are suitable for nurses who seek administrative roles as well as those who wish to work in academia or research.^
Before enrolling in a LPN to RN program, you must consider the following so that you may pursue an appropriate program according to your educational and professional goals:
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Make sure the program is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission (NLNAC) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or both
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Find out if the program prepares graduates for licensure examinations and transition into practice
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See if the program matches your career objectives and suits your lifestyle by offering flexible schedule or online learning options
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How long does it take to earn an LPN to RN program online in New York?
An LPN to RN program is one that uses your knowledge as a Licensed Practical Nurse as the starting point of building your career as a registered nurse. Typically, this kind of program takes about 1 to 2 years to complete, depending on whether you are attending college as a part-time or a full-time student. You may be able to complete an online degree in a shorter amount of time as those offer a certain amount of flexibility.
What are the requirements to get an LPN to RN program online in New York?
Before taking more advanced courses within this program, you are expected to take some prerequisite courses in English composition, anatomy, general chemistry and more. These prerequisite courses may vary across different colleges. Before applying to a college, you are also required to pass some entrance tests. The most commonly used ones are the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) and the National League for nursing pre-admission examination.
How much can I earn with an LPN to RN degree online in New York?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of May 2018, there were 182,490 people employed as registered nurses in the state of New York, which is the third-highest number for any state. The annual mean wage in this occupation was $85,610 in New York.