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Watch SUNY Niagara’s information session for prospective RN and Practical Nursing (PN) students
SUNY Niagara’s Practical Nursing certificate program is committed to the education of practical nurses and the promotion of wellness in the community. The Practical Nursing program offers clinical experiences at hospitals, health care facilities, and community agencies in Niagara, Orleans, and Erie counties to provide students with important clinical experiences in all areas of health care. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the National Council License Examination (NCLEX-PN) for Practical Nurses through the State Education Department.
The mission of the practical nursing program at SUNY Niagara is to educate individuals who will provide safe, patient-centered, holistic nursing care in today’s diverse health care environment. Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to demonstrate caring behaviors, utilize clinical reasoning, utilize technology, maintain professional integrity with a spirit of inquiry for lifelong learning.
Visit the Nursing Information Center.
Career information and opportunities
Practical Nursing Certificate
SUNY Niagara’s Practical Nursing Certificate prepares you to become a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in four semesters, including two summer sessions. You’ll gain clinical experience across Niagara, Erie and Orleans counties and be eligible for the NCLEX-PN exam.
Last updated: Oct. 22, 2026
What careers does this certificate lead to?
What does it take to get licensed?
How can I move up?
Many LPNs go on to become registered nurses. Graduates may enroll in SUNY Niagara’s Nursing A.A.S. to work toward RN licensure. LPNs can also specialize in areas like IV therapy, wound care or long-term care leadership.
How much can I earn in Western New York?
Starting pay is what newer workers typically earn. Median means half of workers earn more and half earn less. Experienced LPNs in the region earn about $69,940.
Western New York includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties. The median for all jobs in the region is about $51,360. Pay depends on the job, your experience and the employer.
What is the job outlook in Western New York?
Across all jobs in Western New York, employment is expected to grow about 9%. Nursing is expected to grow much faster than that.
Where do LPNs work?
Where will I get hands-on experience?
How do I get there?
The program is registered by the New York State Education Department and meets New York’s educational requirements for licensure.
How do graduates do?
Which courses prepare me?
Effective July 1, 2024, federal regulation requires institutions of higher education to make a determination whether a Title IV eligible academic program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the U.S. State where the institution is located and the U.S. States where “distance education” students are located at the time of initial enrollment in the program, as well as U.S. States where the program is advertised as meeting such requirements, and if applicable, the U.S. State where students attest they intend to be licensed/certified.
The Practical Nursing Certificate program at SUNY Niagara is registered by the New York State Education Department and thus meets the educational requirements for licensure/certification for New York State.
Through a good faith effort, and for the purpose of complying with the federal regulation, we have determined that Practical Nursing Certificate program at SUNY Niagara, if successfully completed, is sufficient to meet the educational requirements for licensure/certification in the following U.S. States:
New York – https://www.registerednursing.org/nclex/
It is important to note that SUNY Niagara is not the licensure/certification authority in these U.S. States and cannot assess whether an individual candidate will be issued a license/certificate in these U.S. States and instead it is incumbent on each individual candidate to contact the licensure/certification authority in the applicable U.S. State for any further guidance on the requirements for licensure/certification requirements and application processes.
According to the most recent Employment and Continuing Education survey of 2017 graduates responding, 90% are employed.
NCLEX-PN pass rate for 2025 graduates is 92.31%
The completion rate for the 2023 -2025 (150% of time) cohort is 56%
The completion rate for the 2024-2025 (100% of time) cohort is 56%
The Practical Nursing program at SUNY Niagara requires an in-person, hands-on laboratory experience for Human Anatomy & Physiology I (BIO 213L) and Human Anatomy & Physiology II (BIO 214L). Therefore, Biology labs from another college or university that were taken online will not be accepted for transfer credit.
Options for completing labs include: