See a full list of SUNY Adirondack's Nursing academic requirements. 

SUNY Adirondack is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). SUNY Adirondack’s nursing program is registered by the New York State Board of Regents and New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, and nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). See below for the contact information for each organization.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)

3624 Market St.
Suite 2 West
Philadelphia, PA 19104
267-284-5000
https://www.msche.org/

New York State Board of Regents
New York State Education Building
89 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12234
518-486-3633
www.regents.nysed.gov
hedepcom@nysed.gov

New York State Education Department Office of the Professions
Professional Education Program Review
Nursing Unit
89 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12234
518-474-3817
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/nurse/
OPNURS@nysed.gov
 

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE
Suite 1400
Atlanta, GA 30326
Phone: 404-975-5000
Fax: 404-975-5020
www.acenursing.org
info@acenursing.org

ACEN Accreditation Status: 

• Initial Accreditation: February 2000

• Date of Last Visit: March 8-11, 2021

• Date of Most Recent Commission Action: March 2016 – Accredited; the Board of Commissioner's will meet September 2021 at which time SUNY Adirondack will be informed on Commission's action for the March 8-11, 2021 site visit. 

• Next Site Visit (virtual): TBD

1. Delivering patient-centered nursing care as a member of an interdisciplinary team using evidence-based practice, quality improvement and informatics

2. Value caring as the basis of professional nursing practice

3. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and attitudes to provide safety and advocacy for patients and families

4. Demonstrate commitment to professional, ethical, legal and accountable nursing practice

How many credits do I need to complete the SUNY Adirondack Nursing Program? Will I be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN when I am done?

The SUNY Adirondack Nursing Program is a 64-credit program of study that leads to an AAS degree in nursing. Students completing the program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX- RN licensing exam.

What are the requirements to be considered for acceptance to the Nursing Program?

• All students must:

  • Be accepted as a student at SUNY Adirondack

  • Complete SUNY Adirondack nursing application

  • Complete HESI A2

  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.8

  • Be eligible to enter college-level math courses as determined by SUNY Adirondack ACCUPLACER Test, or have earned college level Math credit

  • Be eligible to enter college-level English courses as determined by SUNY Adirondack ACCUPLACER Test, or have earned college level English credit

• Traditional students must:

  • Be eligible to enter BIO 107 (Anatomy and Physiology I): Eligibility is completion of college-level biology with a C or better or Regents biology exam of 80 or higher within the past five years and completion of college-level chemistry with a C or better or Regents chemistry exam of 80 or higher within the past five years

• Advanced Placement students (LPN/transfer) must:

  • Have successfully completed BIO 107 (Anatomy and Physiology I) with a grade of C+ or better within two attempts in the past five years

How can I apply, or find out more information about the SUNY Adirondack Nursing program?

In addition to this FAQ, please review our website, where you will find the current application (if it is an open application period) and helpful information about our program and its requirements.

Does acceptance at SUNY Adirondack mean I am accepted to the Nursing program?

No, there is a separate application to the Nursing program. 

Why is there a separate application to the SUNY Adirondack Nursing program?

The SUNY Adirondack Nursing program is a rigorous and competitive program. To be successful in this program, students need to demonstrate academic aptitude.

When should I apply to the SUNY Adirondack Nursing program?

Applications are accepted by the Nursing program between Aug. 15 and Sept. 15 for Spring semester admission and between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1 for Fall semester admission. The application is posted on the nursing webpage two to three weeks before the start date for each application period. 

Does SUNY Adirondack have an evening Nursing program? 

No, SUNY Adirondack has one program that includes Nursing program lecture hours during the day and clinical hours during the day and evening hours. 

Does SUNY Adirondack have weekend classes in the Nursing program?

The SUNY Adirondack Nursing program lecture hours are offered during the day (Monday-Friday). There are clinical hours offered during the evening hours during the workweek; capstone clinical hours vary based on the clinical experience. 

Is the Nursing program at SUNY Adirondack registered or accredited?

SUNY Adirondack’s Nursing program is registered by the New York State Board of Regents and New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. In addition, the Nursing Program is nationally accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. (ACEN), a prestigious national accreditation that ensures a quality program of study. ACEN can be reached at 3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326, 404-975-5000, www.acenursing.org.

How long does it take to complete the Nursing program?

Once accepted into the Nursing program, traditional students may complete the program in four consecutive semesters, and LPN/transfer students in three consecutive semesters. Please note: The nursing courses are offered in the fall and spring semesters. 

What kind of clinical experiences do students have at SUNY Adirondack?

Critical thinking and nursing judgment are fostered throughout the program. Students practice and hone their skills in SUNY Adirondack’s state-of-the-art nursing simulation labs, and use all these experiences to provide direct patient care in regional hospitals. Students are responsible for transportation to and from their clinical experiences. 

When do I begin my clinical experiences?

Clinical experiences begin within the first two weeks of the first nursing course. 

Are there any minimum grade requirements in the Nursing program?

A grade of C+ (77) is required in all nursing courses for the AAS degree in Nursing and in BIO 107, BIO 108 and BIO 223. Grades less than C+ (77) in these courses may not be used to fulfill the program requirements.

Can required nursing courses be repeated?

A required nursing course for the AAS degree in Nursing may be repeated once. Students who do not achieve a C+ when repeating a required nursing course will be withdrawn from the Nursing program.  Additionally, only one nursing course may be repeated. Students may not repeat NUR 100. 

Is a student allowed to withdraw from a nursing course?

Yes, a student may withdraw from one nursing course, with the exception of NUR 100, while enrolled in the Nursing program. Students may not withdraw from NUR 100.  

How many times can I repeat a class to get the required C+ in sciences?
Students may only repeat a required science course one time to get the required grade of C+ for BIO 107, BIO 108 and BIO 223. This is per the SUNY Adirondack grading policy.  

Once accepted to the program, are there other requirements?

Yes, admission and continuation in the Nursing program are conditional upon annual completion of the required physical exam, vaccinations (may vary; will be listed on the health form), PPD test, current health care provider-level CPR (didactic and demonstration), and current student professional liability insurance. At the start of the program, students are required to have a criminal background check and complete the SUNY Felony Reporting Requirements. Students are required to show proof of health insurance at the start of each semester.   

What are the requirements for LPNs to be admitted to the Nursing program?

Graduates of licensed practical Nursing programs may be granted advanced placement into the second semester of the Nursing program. They must also meet all program admission requirements such as 2.8 GPA and C+ in all required science classes. Students granted advanced placement must have completed BIO 107 to begin nursing courses. Students are also required to take the LPN transition course. 

Does SUNY Adirondack accept transfer Nursing students?

Transfer students are accepted on a very limited basis as space permits. Transfer students must meet all requirements for students entering the Nursing program, must meet grade requirements for transfer Nursing courses and pre-requisite science courses. Students must provide the course syllabi for any Nursing courses to be considered for transfer and a letter of good standing from the previous Nursing program. Students seeking transfer from another nursing program should contact Dr. Gail Powers at powersg@sunyacc.edu. 

Can LPNs/transfer students challenge other Nursing courses?

Qualified applicants may also challenge additional give to 10 credits of second-semester Nursing courses (NUR 102 and or NUR 103 or NUR 104).  These applicants must have a background in the areas to be challenged and must first be granted advanced standing for the first semester nursing course (NUR100). A learning packet, which contains course materials, is available from the Health Sciences Office specialist. Students granted the advanced placement must also pay the "Credit by Exam" fee.

What is the "Credit by Exam" fee?

This is the fee paid to the college to allow a student to challenge a course by examination. LPNs do not need to take the NUR 100 exam to receive credit for NUR 100. 

If I already have college-level biology and chemistry, does that count?

Students who have already completed college-level biology and chemistry and have passed them with a grade of C or better in the past five years are eligible to enter BIO 107.

What if I have high school biology and chemistry from out of state?

Students from another state who have taken college prep-level biology and chemistry and successfully passed these courses should contact the Science Division for consideration of placement in BIO 107.

What if I don’t get accepted into the Nursing program the first time?

Students who are not accepted into the Nursing program the first time they apply may resubmit a new application the next semester along with current college transcripts.

Do I need to submit a new application if I reapply?
Yes, there are no rolling admissions, so a student must resubmit a new application each time they apply. Official transcripts must be on file from all schools the student has attended. Therefore, if you have taken courses since your last application, you should request a copy of the official transcript be sent to the SUNY Adirondack Registrar’s Office. 

What is the minimum GPA required to apply to the Nursing program?
The minimum GPA required to apply to the Nursing program is a 2.8.

What is the difference between an AAS and a BSN degree in Nursing?
An associate degree in Nursing is usually a two-year degree program of study preparing students to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam. The student graduates with an AAS degree in Nursing. A bachelor’s degree in Nursing is usually a four-year program of study that prepares students to sit for the NCLEX RN licensing exam.  

Do I need to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Nursing after I graduate from SUNY Adirondack’s Nursing program? 

All SUNY Adirondack graduates intending to obtain their RN license in New York state will be required to obtain a bachelor’s degree within 10 years of initial licensure, to maintain registration as a registered professional nurse in New York state.

How well do SUNY Adirondack Nursing graduates do on the national RN licensure exam?
Current RN NCLEX results for SUNY Adirondack Nursing graduates may be found at NCLEX Results, and on the nursing homepage under Program Outcomes. 

When can I meet with someone in the Nursing program?

Students interested in the Nursing program should contact their Student Success advisor. To learn more about the Nursing program and admission process, plan to attend a Nursing program Information Session. Sign up for a session at http://sunyacc.edu/node/426. Students may also contact Ona Backus at advising@sunyacc.edu or 518-832-7708 to request an advisement appointment.

• Nursing Application
• Nursing Application Guidelines
• HESI-A2 

See the Nursing Student Handbook.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rates for First Time Test Takers:

Graduation and Attrition Rates: 

Graduation rate is the percentage of students in each cohort who graduated from the program. Attrition includes the percentage of students who withdrew from or failed the program. 

SUNY Adirondack Graduation and Attrition Statistics for Traditional Students

SUNY Adirondack Graduation and Attrition Statistics for LPN/Transfer Students

Completion Rates

The percentage of students who complete the program in no more than 150 percent of the nursing program length, beginning with enrollment on the first day of the first nursing course. 

• Traditional students – program length is four semesters; 150 percent = six semesters

• LPN/transfer students – program length is three semesters; 150 percent = 4.5 semesters

Aggregated Program Completion table

Disaggregated Program Completion table by Date of Program Completion (Dec vs May) and Program Enrollment (Traditional vs LPN/Transfer Students)

• SUNY Adirondack offers small class sizes and access to dedicated faculty. 
• Our highly educated instructors hold master's and doctoral degrees and have years of experience in nursing education and practice.
• We have a state-of-the-art simulation center that allows students to develop essential critical-thinking skills necessary for practice in today’s health care environment.
• SUNY Adirondack is located in the foothills of the Adirondacks, providing many opportunities for outside recreation. 
• SUNY Adirondack works closely with regional hospitals to provide a variety of clinical experiences.
• SUNY Adirondack is a community college that is committed to meeting the needs and services of the communities it serves.  

CAREER & TRANSFER OPPORTUNITIES

*According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020), the need for registered nurses is expected to grow by 7 percent between 2019 and 2029. SUNY Adirondack is working to address the need for more nurses and has opportunities for students to enroll in the fall and spring semesters. Our graduates are working in: 

• Hospitals

• Nursing homes

• Hospice

• Homecare

• Schools

• Department of Veterans Affairs

In addition, SUNY Adirondack has affiliation agreements with four-year nursing programs to ensure our students have pathways to meet the New York state BS in 10 requirement. The colleges include:

• SUNY Empire State College — RN to BSN (online)

• SUNY Plattsburgh — RN to BSN (in person on the SUNY Adirondack campus and online)

• Chamberlain University — RN to BSN (online)

• Excelsior College — concurrent enrollment (online)

• Siena College — RN to BSN (in person and online)

• WGU — RN to BSN (online)

* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2020, Sept. 1). Occupational outlook handbook: Registered nurses.  https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm