As demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow, this is a promising time to consider becoming a registered nurse (RN) in New York. The U.S. Department of Labor projects 25.5% statewide job growth for RNs between 2022 and 2032, which translates to ample opportunity for individuals interested in earning a nursing degree to enter the field and make a difference in the lives of others.
Due to the high level of responsibility entrusted to registered nurses, individuals must meet specific requirements to gain RN licensure in New York. Aspiring nurses in the state need to understand the RN requirements in NY so they can pursue the role as efficiently as possible.
Nursing School Requirements for RNs in NY
The first step toward becoming an RN in New York is to successfully complete a nursing education program. Many individuals starting out in the field pursue an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) from an accredited nursing program.
Saint Paul’s School of Nursing’s ADN program, for instance, is accredited by the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), and can be completed at either its Queens or Staten Island campus.
Students in ADN programs learn how to provide quality care to patients, promote patient self-care, and navigate the legal aspects of care delivery.
Prospective New York RNs must complete either an in-state nursing degree program that is registered as RN-license qualifying by the New York State Education Department (NYSED), or an out-of-state program that is approved by the licensing authority in that state or territory. Those who have completed an international nursing degree program need to have their education credentials verified by the NYSED or another verification agency.
Prospective nurses in New York also need to complete specific coursework on child abuse reporting and infection control, which is often included in the curriculum of nursing programs within the state. In some cases, students may qualify for exemptions to either type of coursework.
Licensure Requirements for RNs in NY
Once an individual meets the education requirements for RNs in New York, they must then apply for licensure in the state and sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). This exam, developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), validates an individual’s nursing skills and knowledge to ensure they are prepared to work as a nurse.
To register for licensure and sit for the NCLEX-RN, individuals must do the following:
Submit an Application for Licensure form, along with the required licensure and registration fee, to the NYSED.
Request their nursing school use the appropriate forms to verify their education directly with the NYSED.
Register with Pearson VUE, the organization that administers the NCLEX-RN, to take the exam.
Take, and pass, the NCLEX-RN.
After an individual has passed the NCLEX-RN, they will receive a license parchment and a registration certificate from the NYSED. These documents qualify them to practice nursing as an RN in New York. The license is valid for the nurse’s lifetime, but the registration certificate must be renewed every three years.
Skill Requirements for RNs in New York
Nursing is a multifaceted profession that requires a broad skill set to succeed. These skills can be divided into two categories: hard skills and soft skills. These competencies allow registered nurses to take a holistic approach to patient care that will benefit them throughout their RN career.
Hard Skills
RNs need job-specific hard skills to carry out the clinical tasks they may face throughout the day, in areas that include:
Basic care delivery techniques. Nurses must be able to carry out certain fundamental tasks during their interactions with patients, such as taking patients’ vital signs, assessing their health, administering medications, and assisting with exams.
Patient transport. RNs must know how to conduct tasks that aid patients’ movement both inside and outside a hospital setting, such as helping patients transfer from one hospital bed to another or educating them on how to properly use a wheelchair.
Patient education. RNs must be prepared to teach patients and their families about the patients’ upcoming treatments or their at-home care instructions, such as pain management techniques or prescription instructions.
Technology use. As clinical environments increase their use of technology tools such as electronic health records (EHRs), RNs need to understand how these systems are used within their facility’s overall care delivery processes.
Soft Skills
RNs must be adept at key social skills that allow them to relate to patients and their families and other soft skills that help them function in their role. These competencies also help RNs contribute to an efficient work environment, which in turn can increase the quality of the care they provide to patients.
Registered nurses need soft skills in areas that include:
Verbal, written, and nonverbal communication
Interpersonal relating
Teamwork
Critical thinking
Empathy
Attention to detail
Time management
In addition to these skills, an RN requirement in New York is demonstrating good moral character. The NYSED asks prospective RNs questions related to the following:
Having been found guilty or pled guilty or no contest to a felony or misdemeanor crime
Having any pending criminal charges in court involving the suspension or cancellation of a medical license
Having any pending criminal charges involving professional misconduct
Having a licensed care delivery facility restrict or end the individual’s training or employment
Ideally, applicants would answer no to these inquiries. However, a yes answer to one or even multiple questions will not necessarily disqualify them from being approved for state licensure or registration.
Start Your Journey Toward Becoming an RN in New York
Meeting the RN requirements in New York can lead to a rewarding career and an opportunity to make a substantial difference in the lives of others. Registered nurses help people improve their health and well-being, one patient at a time.
The Associate Degree in Nursing program at Saint Paul’s School of Nursing can help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to pursue a successful RN career. With completion possible in as little as 20 months, our program offers three different start points each year and campus options in Queens and Staten Island. The ADN program’s combination of classroom instruction and clinical experience can help you cultivate key nursing knowledge and apply what you learn in a controlled setting.
Learn more about the program today.
Recommended Readings
5 RN Specialties You Can Pursue With an Associate Degree
How to Ask Someone to Be Your Nurse Mentor
How to Cope With Secondary Traumatic Stress in Nursing and Healthcare Settings