Queens, NY, Nursing Schools
Students in Queens, NY, don't have to look far to find nursing schools that offer certificate, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree programs, including those available through the City University of New York (CUNY) system. Read about the program options at three CUNY colleges below, and use the accompanying table of school facts and section about other school options to choose a nursing program best-suited to your budgetary and training needs.
- CUNY LaGuardia Community College, located in mid-Queens, offers both a certificate and an associate's degree program in nursing.
- Located just 7.9 miles from the middle of Queens, CUNY York College offers a bachelor's degree in nursing.
- CUNY Queensborough Community College, located 9.3 miles from mid-Queens, offers an associate's degree in nursing.
Comparison of Schools
Aspiring practical and registered nurses can use the following table to find information about tuition costs and admissions, as well as first-year student retention rates and graduation statistics. Note that both community colleges have open admissions policies and relatively similar tuitions.
| CUNY LaGuardia Community College | CUNY York College | CUNY Queensborough Community College | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | 2-year, public | 4-year, public | 2-year, public |
| Total Enrollment (2021)* | 14,919 | 7,027 | 10,989 |
| Campus Setting | Large city | Large city | Large city |
| Undergraduate Tuition & Fees (2021-2022)* | $5,218 in-state, $8,098 out-of-state | $7,358 in-state, $15,308 out-of-state | $5,210 in-state, $8,090 out-of-state |
| % of First-Year Students Receiving Any Form of Aid (2020-2021)* | 83% | 89% | 79% |
| Acceptance Rate (2021)* | N/A, open enrollment | 67% | N/A, open enrollment |
| Retention Rate (2021)* | 60% (full-time) | 60% (full-time) | 59% (full-time) |
| Graduation Rate* | 29% (for students beginning in 2018) | 33% (for students beginning in 2015) | 29% (for students beginning in 2018) |
Source: *NCES, College Navigator.
CUNY LaGuardia Community College
The Health Sciences Department at LaGuardia Community College offers two nursing programs. Students may prepare for careers as licensed practical nurses or registered nurses.
Practical Nursing Certificate Program
This 48-credit program requires a series of classes that provide students with a background in general nursing principles and care practices. Topics of study include pharmacology, psychology, and human anatomy, as well as different types of nursing, such as parent-child child, mental health, and medical surgical. Graduates of the program may qualify to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
Students complete a 33-credit sequence of clinical training as part of the 66-credit program. The required courses are the same as those found in the practical nursing program, including foundational concepts in nursing. Aspiring professionals also pursue specialized training in leadership, medical surgical, parent-child, and mental health nursing.
Students receive classroom instruction, lab sessions, and hands-on experience at local health care facilities. Licensed practical nurses may enroll with advanced standing if they meet certain criteria. Graduates are qualified to sit for the NCLEX exam for registered nurses.
CUNY York College
Articulation agreements in place between York College and Queensborough Community College allow students who graduate with an associate's degree in nursing to apply for transfer to York College's bachelor's degree program in nursing.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
York College's bachelor's degree program in nursing offers two tracks of study, including a generic BSN program open to students without any experience or training in nursing. Students must complete 56 credits of general education and prerequisite classes prior to applying to the program; they must also hold Basic Life Support Certification and earn an adequate score on the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Examination (NLN PAX-RN). Admission is competitive. The RN to BSN program is a degree completion program for registered nurses who already hold a diploma or an associate's degree in nursing.
Nursing classes include care for diverse populations, such as infants, children, adults, and families. Students also take courses in client, family, and community systems; nursing management; professional research; and psychiatric/mental health nursing. The generic BSN curriculum requires more fundamental coursework than the degree completion track for licensed nurses.
CUNY Queensborough Community College (QCC)
Queensborough Community College offers joint degree programs with the Hunter/Bellevue School of Nursing and York College. Students who complete the QCC program earn an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, which can be applied towards the bachelor's degree program at Hunter/Bellevue or York. Applicants to the program must take the National League for Nursing Pre-Admission Examination (NLN PAX). Licensed practical nurses may earn advanced standing.
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
In preparation for clinical training, students take preliminary courses in psychology and anatomy; courses in physiology, microbiology, and math are also required. Additionally, students complete a sequence of courses, through which they learn how to provide appropriate and effective nursing care. The school has on-campus lab facilities for student nursing practice and dedicated study and work space for nursing students.
Other School Options
Aspiring nurses may also seek training at schools located in other New York City boroughs. CUNY Hunter College, part of the City University of New York, is roughly two miles away from Queens. Phillips School of Nursing at Mt. Sinai Beth Israel is a private, not-for-profit school located about three miles away from Queens.