8 Best 6-Month LPN to RN Programs Online in New York

It's common for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) to choose to continue their education to become registered nurses (RNs). To become an RN, you'll need to complete an associate or bachelor's degree program in nursing, pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), and obtain licensure through your state.

RN degrees cover the fundamentals of nursing care as well as topics like microbiology and pharmacology. Some schools offer accelerated pathways for students who already have their LPN license.

While nursing schools don't typically offer 6-month LPN to RN programs, there are several in New York that have programs that students can finish faster than normal. Keep reading to learn more about accelerated and 6-month LPN to RN programs online and in person.

Are There Any 6-Month LPN to RN Programs in New York?

There are no 6-month LPN to RN programs in New York; the requirements needed to complete a nursing degree simply take more than six months to complete. However, some programs offer an accelerated pathway for LPNs.

On average, associate nursing degrees take two or so years to complete, while Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs take four years. Through an accelerated program in New York, you may be able to complete your degree in as little as one year.

Accelerated LPN to RN Programs in New York

Many community colleges in New York offer LPN to RN programs that can be completed in less than the traditional two years. And while associate nursing degrees aren't available fully online, some offer at least a portion of classes virtually. Below, we've highlighted some of the top hybrid accelerated LPN to RN programs in New York.

All schools listed are accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) and all nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Note that the timeframe given for these programs often refers to the amount of time the program will take for students who are studying full-time and have already taken the necessary prerequisite courses.

1. Tompkins Cortland Community College

Tompkins Cortland Community College is a public school in Dryden. It's part of the part of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and offers an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in nursing that typically takes four semesters to finish.

However, students who already have their LPN license are eligible to start this program in their second or third semester depending on individual credit evaluation. Additionally, some courses in this program are offered online.

New York residents pay a tuition rate of $208 per credit, while non-residents pay $425 per credit. LPNs must complete at least 32 credits to earn their degree.

2. Genesee Community College

At Genesee Community College, LPNs can complete their AAS in nursing and become registered nurses in under a year. Currently licensed LPNs who qualify for the program can complete the nursing requirement in just two semesters.

GCC, another public SUNY college, is located in Batavia. It has a state-of-the-art facility in the Med-Tech Park across from the Batavia campus, and classes are offered in a combination of classroom and online learning.

This nursing program requires about 29 credits. The tuition rate for in-state students is $218 per credit and for out-of-state students is $243 per credit hour.

3. Finger Lakes Community College

Finger Lakes Community College allows LPNs to earn an AAS in nursing in three semesters. The public SUNY college is based in Canandaigua.

This program covers the fundamentals of nursing practice as well as specialties like medical/surgical care, maternal/newborn health, and mental health. Some required non-nursing courses needed for this degree program are available online.

In-state students pay a tuition rate of $224 per credit, while out-of-state students pay $315 per credit. LPN students will need at least 46 credits for this program.

4. Corning Community College

An AAS in nursing is available through Corning Community College. This degree offers an advanced placement track for LPNs, which allows them to complete the program in three semesters.

Corning CC is a public SUNY school that offers some of the non-nursing courses online, but the nursing courses, labs, and clinical practice experiences must be done in person.

LPNs will need about 47 credits to complete this program. Residents pay $237 per credit hour, while nonresidents pay $395 per credit.

5. Orange County Community College

Orange County Community College is a public SUNY school with campuses in Middletown and Newburgh. Both sites offer a nursing degree with an advanced placement option for LPNs.

LPNs may be eligible to finish this program in as little as three semesters of full-time study. Some of the non-nursing courses, like math and psychology, can be taken online.

Tuition at SUNY Orange is $242 per credit hour for in-state students and $484 per credit for out-of-state students. This program requires LPNs to take at least 47 credits.

6. LaGuardia Community College

Through LaGuardia Community College, students can earn an AAS in nursing in two years. However, those with LPN licenses can finish more quickly, as little as three semesters depending on coursework.

LaGuardia Community College, located in Queens in New York City, is part of the public City University of New York (CUNY) system. It offers some of the courses in this nursing program in a hybrid or online format.

Nursing students with an LPN license can complete this program with as few as 27 credits. The tuition rate for in-state students is $210 per credit, and for out-of-state students is $320 per credit.

7. Adirondack Community College

Adirondack Community College offers a nursing program that allows LPNs to finish in three semesters. The public SUNY school is located in Queensbury.

Eligible LPNs can receive advanced placement into the second semester of the programs. Some non-nursing courses are available online, although nursing education courses, including hands-on experiences, must be done in person.

The nursing school requires LPNs to take at least 47 credits. Tuition at SUNY Adirondack is $231 per credit for residents and $347 per credit for non-residents.

8. Kingsborough Community College

Nursing students at Kingsborough Community College can bypass several entry-level nursing courses if they have their LPN license. KCC is a public CUNY school in Brooklyn in NYC.

This program typically takes four semesters, but LPNs can finish faster after completing the LPN to RN bridge course. While nursing courses and clinical experiences must be done in-person, some required courses not related to nursing care are offered online.

Resident students pay $210 per credit hour, while nonresidents pay $320. LPNs will need at least 39 credits to complete this program.

FAQs About the Fastest LPN to RN Programs in New York

Furthering your professional nursing career doesn't have to be overwhelming. We've highlighted some frequently asked questions about LPN to RN programs to help you better understand the process.

How Long Does It Take To Go From LPN to RN in New York?

Although there are no 6-month LPN to RN programs online or in person in New York State, there are several that allow students to complete their associate degree in just two or three semesters.

How long it takes to become an RN also depends on factors like how long you take to sit for the NCLEX-RN, how many tries you need to pass, and how long it takes you to obtain licensure from the New York State Board of Nursing.

What Is the Quickest LPN to RN Program in New York?

Most of the programs listed above allow students to complete their associate degree in nursing in two or three semesters if they have their LPN license. The quickest program can vary from person to person depending on prerequisites and transfer credits.

Is There an LPN to RN Bridge Program in New York?

Although not all the schools on this list call them ''LPN to RN bridge programs,'' that is essentially what most of these programs are. You'll also see them called transition programs or advanced standing programs.

There are several colleges in New York that offer programs like this. However, there are also many associate and bachelor's degrees that don't offer credit for LPN programs, so check your program requirements carefully.

How Do Clinical Hours Work in Online LPN to RN Programs?

All schools of nursing require students to participate in clinical hours to become RNs. Clinical practice gives students real-world patient care experience in healthcare settings.

There are two ways that an online nursing program may handle clinical hours. They will either require nursing students to come to select clinical sites near the university, or they may allow students to choose a site near where the student lives as long as they approve the site first.

Online programs will usually explain the clinical experience requirements on their website, but you can reach out to the school of nursing to learn more.

What Are the Admission Requirements for 6-Month LPN to RN Programs in New York?

Again, note that there are no 6-month LPN to RN programs in New York. However, for accelerated LPN to RN programs, admissions requirements often include:

• a valid, unencumbered LPN license
• a minimum GPA
• a passing score on an entrance exam like the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
• certain liberal arts and healthcare prerequisites completed

You can usually find the full list of admissions requirements on each program's website.

Explore Nursing Programs

Start your journey toward an RN license by exploring the nursing programs featured on Learn.org. Reach out to individual nursing schools to learn more about admissions, enrollment, and financial aid.