New York City can be an exciting and dynamic place to kickstart your career as a registered nurse. Nursing in NYC can give you a comfortable salary, job security, and the opportunity to work with top healthcare providers at the nation’s leading hospitals.
If you’re ready to answer the call to become a nurse, there’s no better place to earn your Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing than in New York City. The city is home to a bustling healthcare hub, a vibrant arts and culture scene, world-renowned restaurants, and much more, making it an exciting place to call home.
Studying nursing in NYC grants you access to talented professionals and leading healthcare facilities. When you later become licensed, you can then embark on a career in a city full of career specialization and advancement opportunities.
If you want to change careers and work as a nurse in New York City, then the University of Mount Saint Vincent can help you take the first step in your journey. If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you can earn a BS in nursing in as few as 16 months with Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program.
As you imagine where a future nursing career can take you, consider the many advantages of becoming a nurse in New York City.
What It’s Like to Work as a Nurse in New York City
Home to nationally ranked hospitals across numerous specialties, pursuing nursing in NYC allows you to take advantage of the many opportunities to grow and advance your career. New York is also ranked as the top state for nurses by Nurseprocess.org. Their methodology considers average salary, job outlook, growth in each state, and other factors.
When not working, you will always find something to do in New York City. With world-famous theater, museums, restaurants, and so much more to explore, the city is anything but boring.
Nursing Salary in NYC: What You Can Expect to Earn
Nurses in New York have competitive earning potential. The latest annual median nursing salary in New York state is $105,600, which is higher than the national median salary for nurses and all other occupations. Working in New York City, you can have even higher earning potential. The latest annual median wage for NYC nurses is $113,490.
Factors that Influence Nursing Pay in New York City
New York City has a high cost of living, which is partly why nursing salaries can be higher than in other cities. Many factors influence nursing pay, however, and it’s not a simple answer. Years of experience, certifications, degree type, nurse demand, specialty, and facility can influence how much a nurse earns.
Career Growth and Advancement Opportunities for NYC Nurses
New York is a great place to start your career, and it’s ideal for career growth if higher education and advanced nursing positions appeal to you. The state projects registered nurse employment to grow 26% between 2022 and 2032.
Should you decide to advance your career to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), you’ll find New York City to be a great place to advance your career. Recent data on advanced nursing careers in New York might surprise you:
- In New York, the median annual salary for nurse practitioners (NPs) is over $150,000, while nurse anesthetists have a median salary of over $200,000. APRNs can anticipate considerable career advancement in addition to above-average pay.
- Nurse practitioner employment in New York is projected to grow 26% between 2022 and 2032, while nurse anesthetists are projected to grow 27% during the same period.
- New York is among the top five states with the highest number of nurse practitioners and nurse midwives. While the state does not rank among the top 10 states for nurse anesthetists, the New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro area is among the top five metro areas in the country for the highest number of nurse anesthetists.
Education and Licensure Requirements for Nursing in NYC
Generally, to become a nurse, you must first earn a nursing degree, such as a BS in nursing or an Associate Degree in nursing, then pass the NCLEX-RN. Once you pass, you can register with your state’s board of nursing to obtain a license. In New York, prospective nurses must register with the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to obtain their license after passing the licensure exam.
They must also meet the following general requirements:
- Be at least eighteen years old and of good moral character
- Graduated from a nursing program that is approved by the NYSED
- Complete infection control and child abuse reporting coursework
- Pass the NCLEX or another licensure exam approved by the NYSED
Earning a Nursing Degree in NYC
As the first step in becoming a nurse, the type of degree you earn and the nursing program you attend can impact your future career. For example, an ADN can be earned faster than a BS in nursing through a typical baccalaureate program, but it limits career progression opportunities. If you decide to become an APRN later in life or want to earn a graduate degree to advance your career in other ways, you must have a BS in nursing to qualify.
Baccalaureate-educated nurses are also in high demand. About 77% of BS in nursing graduates in the North Atlantic region received job offers at the time of graduation. This is because a BS in nursing education prepares students to better handle complex patient care scenarios. Studies have shown that higher rates of baccalaureate nurses in hospital settings lead to better patient outcomes.
When considering nursing programs, there are many benefits to choosing a BS in nursing program. If you already have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you might be eligible to earn a BS in nursing quickly through an accelerated nursing program in NYC.
A BS in nursing opens the door to many nursing positions. Check out these 10 alternative nursing careers.
Earning a BS in Nursing with a NYC ABSN Program
Accelerated nursing programs leverage your previous college education and apply it toward a BS in nursing. At the University of Mount Saint Vincent, the ABSN program is open to individuals with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree; no healthcare experience is required. While you may need to complete prerequisites as part of the admission process, you can earn a BS in nursing quickly while receiving a top-notch education.
Through the three-part ABSN program, you will learn key nursing theory concepts via accelerated coursework and on-site labs at one of the NYC ABSN program locations. You’ll then put your knowledge and skills into practice during clinical rotations at top healthcare facilities starting your first semester, which include Mount Sinai Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and more.
With five locations throughout New York City, the ABSN program helps make a quality nursing education accessible to career changers. In as few as 16 months, you can graduate with a BS in nursing, ready to take the NCLEX.
Take the First Step Today
You can start your nursing in NYC journey today by contacting our admission team. With ABSN locations in the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Yonkers and three start dates a year, you may be able to start nursing school sooner than you may think. Contact an admission counselor today to learn how you can kickstart a nursing career in NYC with Mount Saint Vincent.