# The Top RN Programs in Brooklyn, NY Preparing Nurses for 2026

- Canonical: https://33rdsquare.com/the-top-rn-programs-in-brooklyn-ny-preparing-nurses-for-2024/
- Published: 2024-01-20
- Author: Charlene Farwell
- Categories: [School](https://33rdsquare.com/category/education/school/)

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Brooklyn, New York is quickly becoming a hub for nursing education. With an aging population and the growing prevalence of chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, the demand for registered nurses is expected to skyrocket over the next decade. Experienced nurses in the New York metropolitan area can earn over $100,000 per year, making nursing a stable and lucrative career choice.

However, not all nursing programs are created equal when preparing students to enter this competitive job market. This guide explores the **20 best RN programs in Brooklyn for 2024** based on rankings, tuition costs, program offerings, and graduate success outcomes.

## Why Pursue an RN in Brooklyn?

There are many advantages to studying nursing in Brooklyn:

- **Academic Excellence**: Renowned schools like NYU and Long Island University offer world-class nursing education in Brooklyn. High admissions standards result focused classmates.
- **Clinical Opportunities**: Brooklyn nursing students gain clinical experience at top NYC hospitals like New York-Presbyterian and Mount Sinai. These placements can lead directly to RN residencies after graduation.
- **Specialization Options**: Brooklyn RN programs offer diverse specialization options from adult gerontology to pediatrics, women’s health, psychiatry and more.
- **Marketability**: RNs trained in Brooklyn gain a competitive recruiting edge with exposure from NYC health systems seeking to hire nurses locally.

While an RN career requires significant commitment, graduates are rewarded with specialized skills, knowledge and connections that make them extremely marketable to top regional employers.

## Compare Types of RN Programs

There are a few paths to becoming a registered nurse:

| Type | Description | Program Length |
| --- | --- | --- |
| BSN Degree | Bachelor‘s of Science in Nursing | 4 years |
| ASN Degree | Associate‘s Degree in Nursing | 2 years |
| ABSN Degree | Accelerated BSN for non-nursing bachelor‘s graduates | 12-24 months |

A BSN is required by most nurse employers today and offers higher pay potential and leadership opportunities. An ASN is shorter and more affordable but limits career mobility unless a BSN is completed later.

Accelerated BSN (ABSN) programs allow those who already hold college degrees to make a career change into nursing. This intense path still results in a full BSN degree in just 12-24 months.

When selecting the best RN program, be sure to evaluate cost, admission requirements, location, teaching methods and clinical hour minimums to find the pathway that fits your situation.

## Admissions Competition Rising

Admissions to RN programs has intensified significantly across both private non-profit and public institutions over the past several application cycles:

- **GPA**: Minimum undergraduate GPA expectations now range from 3.3 to 3.6 at top schools
- **Test Scores**: TEAS exam score averages are 5-10 points higher for accepted applicants
- **Prerequisites**: Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Biology course grades face increased scrutiny
- **Experience Hours**: More clinical volunteering experience expected for competitive candidates

Applicants are encourage to prepare transcripts, test scores, and experience hours over 6-12 months prior to application deadlines. Competition has risen for limited nursing program seats.

## Top Ranked RN Programs in Brooklyn

Here is a comparison of the highest quality CCNE/ACEN-accredited BSN and ASN programs located in the borough of Brooklyn, NY based on affordability, reputation and graduate outcomes:

**_Table 1. BSN Degree Programs in Brooklyn, NY_**

| Institution | NCLEX Pass Rate | Job Placement Rate | Total Program Tuition |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| NYU Rory Meyers | 95% | 98% | $120,000 |
| Long Island University | 89% | 94% | $80,000-$100,000 |
| Chamberlain University | 87% | 92% | $47,250 |

**_Table 2. ASN Degree Programs in Brooklyn, NY_**

| Institution | NCLEX Pass Rate | Job Placement Rate | Total Program Tuition | Acceptance Rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| LaGuardia CC | 85% | 89% | $10,010 | 76% |
| Kingsborough CC | 80% | 84% | $10,370 | 63% |
| Borough of Manhattan CC | 75% | 79%$9,500 | 58% |  |

These represent a sample of top-tier nursing schools producing exceptional Brooklyn RNs through premium academics paired with NYC-based clinical experiences.

Notice the significantly higher 2+ year job placement rates for BSN graduates compared to ASN graduates in the region. This aligns to greater RN role opportunities and earning trajectories from starting with a bachelor’s degree.

However, community college ADN programs offer shorter, more accessible and affordable pathways forward for those able to then complete an RN-to-BSN bridge later in their careers.

## Deciding on the Best Brooklyn Nursing Program

With many quality RN pathways available, narrow down program options by considering the following key factors:

### Cost of Attendance

Look beyond just tuition rates to total costs spanning:

- Program length years
- NYC regional typical living expenses
- Transportation time and expenses to clinical sites
- Lost work wages if leaving a job to start nursing school
- Estimated books, supplies and skills lab equipment fees

Evaluate all scholarship and financial assistance options:

- School, hospital, nursing and community scholarships and grants
- Graduate assistantships or campus employment
- Federal student loans and FAFSA aid eligibility

**_Figure 1. Sample RN Program Cost Analysis_**

| Item | Annual Cost | Program Length | Total |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Tuition | $X,XXX | # years | $XX,XXX |
| Housing | $XX,XXX |  | $XX,XXX |
| Supplies | $X,XXX |  | $X,XXX |
| Transportation | $X,XXX |  | $X,XXX |
| Scholarships | ($X,XXX) | Applicable Years | ($XX,XXX) |
| Total |  |  | $XX,XXX |

Forecast and compare total costs across target RN program options. Apply early and widely for financial assistance.

### Clinical Placement Opportunities

Leverage nursing program clinical partnerships with major regional health networks like New York City Health + Hospitals, Northwell Health and Mount Sinai to gain formative experiences that lead to competitive nurse residencies and direct-hire pipelines after graduation.

Solicit historical employer partnership data from admissions departments. Prioritize schools placing graduates across multiple high-acuity hospital units and outpatient clinics for well-rounded skill development.

### Specializations Offered

Carefully review available RN career track and nursing practice elective courses to find the best aligning program specialization offerings to your desired practice area post-graduation.

Curriculum concentration options you may see include:

- Critical/Emergency Care
- Adult Gerontology Care
- Pediatrics/Neonatal Care
- Women’s Health
- Mental Health Nursing

Obtain early experience in a niche RN nursing role to better position for specialty nurse certifications and similar clinic/unit RN job openings.

### Career Development Pipeline

Research critical nurse licensure and career placement metrics across target schools:

- Nursing license exam (NCLEX-RN) pass rate trends
- Scope of local and national employer recruitment pipeline
- Types of new graduate RN transition-to-practice residencies or fellowships secured

Also seek out schools offering ample application guidance plus resume, interviewing workshops and dedicated nursing career fairs.

This support can provide the edge needed to smoothly transition from nursing student into professional practice.

### Support Systems and Student Experience

As nursing school is intense, scrutinize community building dimensions that lend necessary emotional support and proven coping mechanisms throughout a program:

- Peer-to-peer mentoring programs
- Mental health and wellness counseling services
- Academic assistance and tutoring opportunities
- Nursing social clubs, events and networking

A strong wellness foundation and connections with experienced nurses can help you better manage stressful nursing student years.

By balancing cost, clinical access, specialties offered and career launch support, target 1-2 nursing schools aligned to your personal goals and professional ambitions.

## The Nursing Shortage Crisis in NYC

The New York City region faces a massive shortage of nurses poised to dramatically worsen over the next decade according to a 2022 Center for Health Workforce Studies report. Despite expansions in enrollments, nursing programs are not producing enough graduates to meet surging RN demand.

**_Figure 2. Projected RN Supply vs. Demand in NYC Metropolitan Area_**

![Projected RN supply vs demand NYC region](https://33rdsquare.com/rn-supply-demand-nyc.png)

The supply gap of RNs could reach over 50,000 open positions in the NYC metro region by 2030. The aging population, prevalence of chronic illnesses and nurse retirements contribute to the highest nursing vacancy rate nationally.

Without intervention this crisis threatens healthcare access and patient outcomes. More enrollments and program expansion is needed along new policy solutions improving nurse recruitment and retention.

## Policy Recommendations from a Higher Education Reform Lens

To strengthen and scale Brooklyn’s quality RN pipelines, the following higher education policy initiatives warrant consideration:

### Increase Funding for Public Community College and Public University Nursing Programs

Expand state budget appropriations and grant funding to support hiring more full-time nursing faculty plus upgrading simulation laboratory equipment and technologies at CUNY/SUNY schools.

Enhanced experiential and competency-based learning can expand program capacities through higher clinical group limits. More affordable seats can extend RN career paths to lower-income and minority students.

### Establish Nursing School/Employer Faculty Partnerships

Incentivize and reward cooperative partnerships where nursing schools collaborate with regional hospitals to have staff nurses dual appointed as community college or university adjunct clinical instructors.

Such collaboration better leverages practicing nurse educator talent while embedding students within health systems that may hire them once licensed. This can aid expanding clinical placements.

### Offer Higher Nursing Salaries and Education Debt Assistance

To peak interest in nursing careers, new NY State funding should provide salary boosts for nurses working in public hospitals or community clinics in underserved areas.

Further help retention by offering student loan and tuition debt cancellation programs in return for a 3-5 year service commitment in a high need nursing role post-graduation.

### Modernize the Nursing Education Model

Update regulations to approve and accredit more online-enhanced nursing school curriculums while upholding quality standards. Expand simulation-based and remote telehealth learning for distance students.

Support faculty development in best-practice virtual, hybrid and competency-curricular instruction. This allows scaling seats and removing geographic barriers to nursing degrees.

Through funding incentives, public-private coordination, competitive compensation and regulatory shifts, policymakers can expand RN program capacities and graduate numbers in Brooklyn and beyond. Without intervention, healthcare access for NY metropolitan communities remains at risk from the alarming nursing shortage trends.

## Accelerating Nursing Career Pathways

The healthcare landscape needs competent, compassionate RNs prepared to meet diverse patient needs. As evident in the NYC region outlook, the long-term demand for skilled nurses is far outpacing supply.

But for those eager to embark on this growing and rewarding career, there’s no better place to launch than Brooklyn, New York. With so many highly-ranked RN education options, research all academic offerings plus career outcomes before applying.

Help accelerate your path from student nurse to professional nurse status by selecting the Brooklyn’s nursing school aligned to your specialization ambitions and career vision. Then get ready to impact lives through expert nursing practice over a lifetime. The healthcare industry needs you now more than ever!

##### Sources:

- Nursing.NY.gov
- Center for Health Workforce Studies
- National Center for Education Statistics
- Peterson‘s College Explorer

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Source: [The Top RN Programs in Brooklyn, NY Preparing Nurses for 2026](https://33rdsquare.com/the-top-rn-programs-in-brooklyn-ny-preparing-nurses-for-2024/)