Registered nurses (RN) are vital to the healthcare system, performing essential functions and providing care to millions of patients each year. As the largest segment of the U.S. healthcare workforce, RNs play a central role in delivering quality patient care and providing crucial health education across various settings.
While registered nurses are consistently in demand across the country, New York state is one of the fastest-growing job markets for nurses. Employment of RNs is projected to grow by more than 25% between 2022 and 2032 in the state, potentially creating tens of thousands of new jobs, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
If you want to work as a nurse in New York state, you will need to obtain a New York nursing license. Earning a license entails meeting certain requirements, including earning a nursing degree.
New York Registered Nurse Job Description
Registered nurses shoulder diverse healthcare responsibilities to ensure the well-being of their patients. They work in virtually every type of medical setting, including hospitals, doctor’s offices, clinics, nursing homes, schools, government facilities, and patients’ homes.
Although their individual duties vary based on where they work and the type of role they have, RNs are generally responsible for providing direct patient care, coordinating patients’ treatments with other healthcare professionals, and educating patients and their families about patients’ health conditions.
On a day-to-day basis, a registered nurse’s job duties may include the following tasks:
Evaluating patients’ conditions
Recording patients’ symptoms and medical histories
Administering medications and treatments and monitoring patients’ progress
Performing diagnostic tests and analyzing the results
Most RNs work as part of a team alongside other medical professionals, including physicians and specialists. They may supervise other nurses, such as licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants.
Rising demand and the rewarding nature of the work make nursing a popular profession for those looking to make a career change. Nationwide, employment of RNs is projected to grow by 6% between 2023 and 2033, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, leading to nearly 200,000 new RN positions.
New York Nursing Licensure Requirements
RNs who want to work in New York state must be licensed by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in order to practice. To qualify for an RN license in New York, individuals need to meet the following requirements:
Be at least 18 years old.
Be a graduate of an approved nursing education program. RNs typically need to complete either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program to meet this requirement. The program must either be registered with the NYSED and meet its accreditation standards or, if it is provided by an institution in a state other than New York, be approved by the licensing authority in that state.
Complete coursework in infection control and child abuse reporting. The vast majority of nursing education programs registered with NYSED include this coursework in their curriculum. This means students who complete their nursing education in New York can meet this requirement as part of their studies. Practicing RNs need to complete infection control coursework every four years to maintain their license.
Pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX-RN is a computer-based exam that assesses prospective nurses’ competency to practice as a registered nurse. With very few exceptions, all aspiring RNs need to pass the exam to earn licensure.
In addition to these requirements, nurses seeking licensure in New York need to possess “good moral character,” as outlined by NYSED. This typically means they have not been convicted of a crime and that they do not have criminal charges pending against them, particularly charges related to the nursing profession.
While being convicted or charged with a crime does not necessarily disqualify an individual from being eligible for licensure, it can hinder their ability to obtain a nursing license or secure employment.
How to Apply for a New York Nursing License
Once an individual has met the first three requirements listed above, they can begin the process of applying for a New York nursing license. Individuals applying for their first-ever RN license will need to:
Fill out an online application for licensure through the NYSED and pay the $143 license and first registration fee.
Submit required documentation, including official transcripts from an accredited nursing program for those who graduated from a program in another state or country and documentation of practical or vocational nurse licensure for those with either of these licenses from another state. Applicants will also need to provide personal information such as their Social Security number and date of birth.
Register to take the NCLEX-RN with the test administrator, which will send evidence of passing scores to the NYSED upon completion.
There are some slight variations in the application process for those who already have an RN license.
Out-of-State License Holders
Individuals who hold an RN license from another state and are seeking to practice in New York will first have to complete New York’s required coursework in infection control and child abuse identification and reporting.
Once they have done that, they can apply for licensure online. Additional steps in the application process include having their nursing education and existing license verified by the NYSED.
How to Renew a Nursing License in New York
A New York nursing license is valid for life except in certain circumstances, such as revocation or suspension. However, a nurse’s registration certificate — which the state sends nurses along with their license and which authorizes them to practice — is only valid for up to three years. To renew a registration, nurses need to meet New York’s continuing education requirements, which include completing infection control coursework every four years.
State-mandated coursework on the identification and reporting of child abuse is a one-time requirement.
New York makes it easy for practicing nurses to renew their registration certificates. Nurses can renew their certificates online as long as there are no more than five months left in their current period, or if their last registration period ended less than four months prior.
Take the First Step Toward Nursing Licensure
Nursing licensure is a crucial safeguard that ensures RNs meet established standards of competency and professionalism. It demonstrates to patients and their families that their healthcare provider has the technical and ethical qualifications to deliver quality care.
If you are thinking about becoming a nurse, explore the Associate Degree in Nursing program at Saint Paul’s School of Nursing. Combining classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training, our program can prepare you to earn your nursing license and begin your practice in as little as two years. And with campuses in Queens and on Staten Island, we enable you to conveniently start your nursing career in the heart of New York.
Discover how Saint Paul’s can help you realize your professional goals.
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