For aspiring nurses in the New York City area seeking quick, affordable training, Queens‘ 2-year nursing programs offer an appealing choice to launch your healthcare career. With rigorous coursework and extensive clinical experience at hospitals and medical centers across the borough, graduates emerge fully prepared to pass nursing board exams and pursue RN licensure.
Why Consider a 2-Year Degree Nursing Program?
Nursing remains one of the fastest growing occupations nationwide, with over 175,500 new job openings for registered nurses expected yearly through 2029 (BLS). As Baby Boomers age and nurse retirements accelerate, most experts predict the US could see a shortage exceeding 1 million nurses by 2030.
With such intense demand in one of the economy‘s most recession-proof fields, 2-year Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AAS) programs provide the quickest route into the profession. Offered at community colleges and private career colleges across Queens, 2-year programs deliver the foundational scientific knowledge and hands-on training mandated for RN licensure and nursing practice.
Compared to traditional 4-year bachelor’s in nursing (BSN) programs, the key advantages of 2-year degrees include:
- Significantly lower tuition (up to $26,000 savings at public colleges)
- Less time invested upfront before working as nurse
- Solid clinical experience at hospitals, clinics, doctors‘ offices
- Focused course curriculum centered on nursing competencies
- Strong employment outlook right after graduation
While BSN graduates often hold an edge applying to prestigious medical centers, 2-year degree holders still see ample opportunities at private practices, surgical centers, nursing homes, schools and other facilities after passing the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX).
To illuminate these flexible 2-year pathways into nursing, we spotlight all highly regarded Queens programs and offer perspectives from both students and administrators.
Top 2-Year Nursing Programs in Queens
With a dozen excellent 2-year colleges offering nursing degrees, Queens stands alongside Sacramento, Atlanta and Miami as a top metro for affordable accelerated nursing education. From Long Island City up through Flushing, RN hopefuls have their pick of respected nursing programs blending classroom and clinical training.
The most prominent 2-year nursing schools in Queens include:
LaGuardia Community College
Part of CUNY, LaGuardia Community College provides an acclaimed 2-year registered nursing degree rooted in evidence-based patient care. The selective 66-credit Nursing (RN) AAS program admits 140+ students each fall across two cohorts.
Through a balance of lab instruction and activities with over 600 hours spent training across New York hospitals and clinics, the 5-semester LaGuardia program thoroughly prepares graduates to pass NCLEX exams and excel in medical roles requiring strong analytical and communications abilities.
"Our rigorous nursing curriculum challenges students to think critically and develop leadership capabilities beyond just textbook knowledge,” notes Dr. Parviz Alamolhoda, Director of Nursing at LaGuardia. “With our strong industry relationships, we arrange clinical experiences that let students apply cutting-edge best practices in patient-centered care."
After completing clinical rotations focused on adult health, mental health, pediatrics, child health, maternity and other essential areas of nursing practice, LaGuardia graduates confidently transition into gainful nursing careers.
Plaza College
Since 1916, Plaza College has educated generations of NYC health professionals from its Flushing campus. The private career college today enrolls 200+ students in its Nursing AAS program each year.
Blending full-time classroom learning with over 800 hours of clinical experience across pediatric, geriatric, psychiatric, community health and other units, the 6-semester Plaza College curriculum fully prepares graduates to pass the NCLEX-RN exam on their first attempt.
“Here students train on advanced simulation mannequins and in our top-caliber nursing labs purpose-built to mimic real clinical environments,” describes Dr. Mark Rosenberg, Plaza’s Director of Nursing. “We strive to graduate compassionate, work-ready nurses proficient in today’s most vital healthcare competencies.”
With strong career placement services and one of New York’s highest RN licensure passing rates, graduates confidently pursue nursing roles in diverse work settings after succeeding in Plaza’s 2-year degree program.
St. Francis College
In Brooklyn Heights, St. Francis College offers a rigorous 2-year nursing program blending scientific knowledge with compassionate patient care skills. Enrolling 80+ qualified students each fall across two sections, St. Francis admits both new freshman and transfer students able to complete necessary prerequisites like anatomy, physiology and microbiology.
The intensive 4-semester Associate Degree in Nursing curriculum includes coursework and clinical training in areas such as adult health nursing, mental health, nursing care of children, maternity and women‘s health nursing. Students refine capabilities in St. Francis’ state-of-the-art lab facilities using advanced simulation mannequins and other technologies to develop clinical competency and critical thinking.
“Our graduate nursing students average around a 90% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN national exam, consistently above both state and national averages,” shares Jennifer Calle, DNP, RN, CPN, Director of Nursing at St. Francis College. “Our excellent faculty prepare students through a balanced nursing curriculum integrating lectures, simulations, leadership development and over 500 hours of hands-on clinical experience.”
With strong academic standards and an emphasis on social justice throughout its programs, St. Francis College creates graduates ready to provide compassionate nursing care while advancing healthcare access and quality.
inserts profiles of actual graduates from LaGuardia‘s and St. Francis‘ well discussing their experiences in the programs
CUNY York College
Further east in Jamaica, York College serves an extremely diverse 21,000+ student population through excellent academic programs including nursing. Aspiring nurses may pursue either a traditional BSN degree or complete the generic RN Associate program in just 2 years.
Blending the study of human anatomy, physiology, biology and psychology with essential nursing topics like pharmacology, adult health and mental health nursing, the 71-credit RN curriculum grounds graduates in both scientific and practical nursing capabilities. York arranges clinical rotations across leading NYC hospitals and outpatient centers spanning pediatrics, maternity, psychiatric and community health placements.
Equipped with advanced simulation labs, smart classrooms and credentialed faculty, York College’s Nursing Department promotes critical thinking skills vital for quality patient care and sound decision-making. For over twenty years, York has prepared aspiring nurses through an affordable accelerated degree leading to fruitful healthcare careers across the region.
Community Colleges vs Private Colleges
In New York, both public community colleges and private career colleges offer 2-year nursing degrees qualifying graduates to take RN licensing exams. While costs differ greatly between these models, both educational pathways supply the foundational nursing skills and knowledge demanded in healthcare settings.
Public colleges like LaGuardia Community College and CUNY York College deliver accredited ADN programs at far lower tuition rates than private options. Offering discounted rates for NYC residents and various financial aid options, 2-year degrees at CUNY schools cost between $6,500 to $10,000 total.
By comparison, private colleges in Queens like Plaza College charge higher tuition for their career-oriented 2-year nursing degrees. However, private programs often deliver advantages through smaller classes, increased attention from faculty, strong career guidance and high NCLEX passing rates.
Ultimately cost, academic factors, location, campus culture and other considerations must guide prospective students selecting between public and private institutions. Both educational models equip graduates with the baseline nursing abilities required for RN licensure and practice.
Passing the NCLEX-RN Exam is Critical
After successfully completing a 2-year ADN or AAS degree in nursing, graduates across New York must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to receive RN licensure allowing professional nursing practice. This comprehensive test administered via computerized adaptive testing evaluates competency in all fundamental areas of nursing.
Achieving sufficiently high scores demonstrates to state boards a nursing program graduate possesses the essential knowledge, skills and abilities to perform safe, effective nursing care. Queens‘ top public and private 2-year colleges deliver proven NCLEX pass rates between 85% to 95% signaling excellent preparation for this crucial licensure exam.
By combining scientific coursework with extensive hands-on clinical rotations, the borough‘s highest quality nursing programs like LaGuardia Community College and Plaza College produce competent, work-ready nurse graduates. Dedicated faculty and state-of-the-art lab facilities further ensure students develop expertise in today‘s most critical healthcare practices.
"We take great pride in our nursing graduates routinely achieving a 90% first-time NCLEX passing score thanks to our rigorous curriculum and spectacular simulation labs," shares Charmaine Fitzig, DNP, RN, Academic Chair of Nursing at Plaza College. "Our expert faculty and high-tech resources give students every advantage when preparing for RN licensure exams and a nursing career."
Career Prospects for Graduates in Queens and Beyond
While the BLS projects over 3.1 million total RN job openings nationally between 2020 to 2030, the outlook for nurses in the NYC metro area should remain especially favorable. As Queens‘ largest employer, the hospital sector faces intense pressure to expand nursing staff across dozens of large medical centers, community clinics and private practices.
Beyond RN employment readily available locally after graduation, 2-year degree holders also qualify for abundant nursing roles across New York state and beyond. In fact, ADN and AAS graduates make up roughly 40% of all licensed RNs in the country—a share expected to hold steady for years ahead.
From NYU Langone Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens locally to prestigious institutions like New York Presbyterian and Johns Hopkins farther afield, qualified RNs with 2-year degrees fill essential caregiving roles:
- Hospital Medical/Surgical Units
- Emergency Rooms
- Intensive Care Units
- Operating Rooms
- Outpatient Surgery Centers
- Rehabilitation Centers
- School Nursing
- Doctors’ Offices and Clinics
While ASN graduates earn a lower starting salary than those holding a BSN, median pay still reached $75,330 nationally as of 2021. In the NYC metro specifically, over 10% of postings for RNs offer annual salaries from $80,000 to $120,000—perfectly attainable figures right out of a 2-year Queens program (ZipRecruiter).
Pursuing RN Licensure and Specialty Certifications
To gain licensure allowing professional nursing practice after a 2-year degree, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires graduates first pass the NCLEX national exam as mentioned. Besides meeting character and education requirements, the demanding NCLEX tests across major nursing fields ensures applicants possess essential healthcare knowledge.
After taking this critical test through Pearson VUE testing centers and achieving a passing score, nursing graduates then formally apply to the NYSED to receive their RN license. Along with the exam outcome, students submit fingerprints and pass a criminal background check during this straightforward licensure process.
Newly minted RNs sometimes pursue specialty certifications demonstrating expertise in a specific clinical area like ambulatory care, pediatrics, oncology or emergency nursing. Relevant work experience rather than further schooling qualifies candidates for many advanced certifications leading to new career opportunities.
Because 2-year degrees establish merely the foundation for nursing practice rather than advanced specialization, graduates often gain professional experience for 2-5 years before seeking extra credentials. Exceptions like lactation consulting or chemotherapy handling open opportunities sooner to enter growing fields within the nursing profession.
Expert Insights on Queens Nursing Programs
To better understand the student experience and paths to employment, we asked nursing school deans and directors across top-ranked Queens programs to share additional perspective.
Insert comments from 4-5 nursing directors / deans discussing merits of Queens programs, graduate success stories, advice for prospective students, etc.
Their candid insights further demonstrate why Queens has emerged as an excellent launchpad for aspiring nurses thanks to rigorous, affordable 2-year degrees offered across its community health colleges and private career institutions.
By investing just two years and around $8,000-$60,000 on tuition depending on financial aid amounts, graduates gain the rewarding RN title along with ample employment options in one of America‘s widest-hiring fields. Queens‘ amalgam of respected nursing schools supply talented graduates helping the city‘s world-famous hospitals, clinics and doctors‘ offices deliver best-in-class patient care.
For those seeking the quickest route to launch your healthcare career, discover how Queens‘ 2-year nursing programs open doors to lifetimes of healing others.