Stony Brook NursingFirst Program

The Suffolk-Stony Brook Nursing First Program is a joint admissions program between Suffolk County Community College and Stony Brook University.  Upon admission to Suffolk’s Associate of Science Degree in Nursing Program, qualified students will be selected, and if matriculation requirements are maintained, guaranteed admission into Stony Brook University School of Nursing’s Registered Nurse Baccalaureate Program. Students who are successful in the Suffolk-Stony Brook Nursing First Program will progress seamlessly, after completing the first two years at Suffolk, into Stony Brook’s program and, with an additional two years of study, will obtain their Bachelor of Science degree. 

Suffolk County Community College offers three programs of study that lead to an Associate of Science degree in nursing, including the four-semester day program option, the advanced placement day option for LPN’s seeking to become RN’s, and a part-time six-semester evening program option. Graduates of all three program options are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam, and may apply to continue their studies in a RN-BS completion program at another institution.

Stony Brook University offers three programs that lead to a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing, including the Basic Baccalaureate Program, Accelerated Baccalaureate Program and the Registered Nurse Baccalaureate Program.

Students accepted into the Basic Baccalaureate Program begin the nursing major after completing two years of pre-requisite, general education coursework, either at Stony Brook University or another accredited institution. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

The Accelerated Baccalaureate Program is designed for students who have already completed a bachelor's degree. Students accepted into this 12-month program will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

The Registered Nurse to Baccalaureate Degree Program (RNBP) is designed for students with either an associate degree or diploma in nursing and have successfully passed or are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

The Suffolk-Stony Brook Nursing First Program is a joint admission program option for students who complete two years of study in the day option program at Suffolk County Community College, earn an Associate of Science degree in nursing, and become eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Students accepted into this program matriculate seamlessly into Stony Brook University and begin classes for the Stony Brook University Registered Nurse to Baccalaureate Degree Program (RNBP) in May, immediately after being awarded an Associate of Science degree. The program of study is a continuous pathway for two years.  Students completing the program earn a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in nursing four years from enrollment into the Suffolk Nursing Program.

The Suffolk-Stony Brook Nursing First Program uses a single application process. Suffolk-Stony Brook Nursing First students, secure in the knowledge that a clear-cut educational path has been established, can fully concentrate on their studies.  Nursing First students also have the opportunity to “learn while they earn” because the program lends itself to working in the field as an RN earlier than the traditional Bachelor of Science program.  Many health care facilities in New York provide tuition assistance and flexible working hours for RN’s so that they can continue their education towards a Bachelor of Science degree. Taking advantage of employer tuition reimbursement can now can make upper division studies more affordable.

In order to start classes, you must do one of the following by your payment due date:

• pay your total balance due; or
• sign up for the Tuition Payment Plan which requires you to pay a fee plus one-third of your tuition; or
• if financial aid covers all of your tuition, confirm your attendance on the Web no later than the due date on your bill.

Students must meet the requirements of the Suffolk County Community College day program option.

Students must first apply to the Suffolk County Community College day program by January 15^th. Prospective nursing students are strongly advised to attend a Nursing Information Seminar. For further information, contact the Admissions Office for dates and times. Refer to the “How Do I Apply” section on the SUNY Suffolk Jane F. Shearer School of Nursing page.

Students accepted into the Suffolk County Community College day program option will be invited to an information session regarding the joint admission process into the Suffolk-Stony Brook Nursing First Program.

Students with prior baccalaureate degrees in other disciplines may be eligible to apply a maximum of 19 upper division credits (undergraduate courses numbered 300 or higher) toward the liberal arts and sciences component of the Registered Nurse to Baccalaureate degree program.

 After applying to the Suffolk-Stony Brook Nursing First program, two types of admission decisions are made:

• Acceptance in the Suffolk-Stony Brook Nursing First Program
• Denial into the Suffolk-Stony Brook Nursing First Program, however, acceptance in the Suffolk County Community College two-year (four-semester) day program is maintained.

Admission decisions are mailed to applicants after the information session is attended.

• Associate of Science Degree in nursing at Suffolk County Community College
• Maintain at least a 3.1 Grade Point Average
• Request that an official transcript be sent to Stony Brook University reflecting final grades and AS degree in nursing awarded.
• Successfully pass NCLEX-RN licensure examination within 6 months from start of the Stony Brook University Registered Nurse Baccalaureate Program.

Failure to meet the conditions as stated above will render you ineligible for matriculation.

As a condition of admission into Nursing First, participation in periodic information sessions with the Stony Brook University Registered Nurse Baccalaureate Program coordinator while enrolled at Suffolk will be required. The purpose of these meetings is to provide information about Stony Brook School of Nursing and general information about Stony Brook University. Please see the Stony Brook RN to Baccalaureate web page at https://nursing.stonybrookmedicine.edu/rnProgram for in person and pre-recorded Information ?Sessions.  you may also contact Dr. Gambino at kathleen.gambino@stonybrook.edu for additional information.

Yes, graduates of Suffolk County Community College Associate of Science programs may apply to any RN-BS completion type program. Students typically apply during their final semester at Suffolk. Refer to the Stony Brook University School of Nursing RN to Baccalaureate admission procedures and deadline dates.  Also, refer to the list of articulation programs on the Suffolk website. Both Stony Brook University and Suffolk County Community College host information sessions for students seeking transfer/admission into RN-BS completion programs.  Stony Brook University offers RN to Baccalaureate Information Sessions on select Fridays during each semester. Please see https://nursing.stonybrookmedicine.edu/infoSession for dates and times.  A pre-recorded Information Session can also be found at https://nursing.stonybrookmedicine.edu/rnProgram.