SUNY Ulster County Nursing Program Review

SUNY Ulster is part of the State University of New York (SUNY) network of colleges. It is a two year college that offers over 60 programs, including nursing. The college is located in a rural area of New York and has around 3500 students enrolled. The college offers athletics programs, peer tutoring, and a variety of cultural programs throughout the year. They are known for their Poetry Forum, Visiting Artist Series, Elizabeth Gross Lecture Series, and musical concerts featuring many different genres that are open to the public year round.

Nursing Program

Associate in Science

The nursing department at SUNY Ulster offers a two-year nursing program that leads to an Associate in Science (AS) degree. Students may attend either full-time or part-time to complete the program. Students seeking admission to the nursing program must take the Test of Essential Academic Skills and score at least 75 percent on the test. Students who need extra academic help or tutoring may find it at the SUNY Ulster’s Learning Center, Times Square math lab, the Writing Center, the Peer and Friend Tutor Program, or English as a Second Language (ESL) tutors. Students who attend full-time can complete the nursing program in two years. At that time, they are prepared to take the national exam for certification, the NCLEX-RN, which leads to a license to practice as a Registered Nurse.

It is recommended that nursing courses are taken in succession without interruption. Although it is possible to attend the program part-time, not all nursing courses and laboratories are offered in the evening. Admission to the nursing program is competitive, and applicants must be legal residents of Ulster County, New York to be admitted to the program. Permanent residents must have resided in the county for six months or in New York State for one year. In addition, students who are taking general education requirements at SUNY Ulster must maintain a grade point average of 2.5 to be considered for the nursing program. Students must complete a total of 72 credits to qualify for graduation, including clinical experience that takes place at nearby clinics, community agencies, and hospitals. All students who graduate from Ulster must complete the general education requirements of liberal arts and science classes in addition to the nursing courses that are required. Some of the liberal arts courses are foreign languages, sociology, and history such as American History, Other World Civilizations, or Western Civilization.

There are also general requirements that must be met to be considered for the program, such as a satisfactory physical examination. Applicants must have the proper immunizations and must have a certificate of Basic Life Support. Another consideration is the nursing dress code. Students should expect to spend at least $400 for the cost of uniforms and supplies. They also need to pay for their liability insurance, which can be purchased through the college for around $20 annually.

Financial aid is available for nursing students through federal, state, and private loans, grants, and scholarships.

Contact:
SUNY Ulster
491 Cottekill Road
Stone Ridge, New York 12484
(845) 687-5000