— The NYC Department of Small Business Services (NYC SBS), in partnership with Lehman College, marked the graduation of internationally trained nurses who completed NYC SBS’s no-cost NCLEX-RN/ELL program. The workforce initiative equips foreign-trained nurses with targeted NCLEX preparation and English-language support to help them earn New York State RN licensure and launch careers across New York City’s leading hospitals.
The program addresses two pressing needs at once: it helps immigrant and internationally educated nurses overcome licensing and language barriers, and it strengthens the city’s healthcare pipeline amid ongoing demand for qualified clinical staff. Through structured coursework, exam readiness coaching, and specialized English for nursing, participants progress from credentialed nurses abroad to licensed RNs ready for roles in acute care, long-term care, and community health settings. Graduates also receive job-search assistance and connections to employer partners, positioning them to transition quickly into high-impact roles that reflect their training and experience.
Lehman College serves as the academic partner, providing instruction and wraparound support to ensure candidates are prepared not only to pass the NCLEX but to thrive in fast-paced care environments. NYC SBS coordinates outreach, tuition-free access, and career services, lowering the financial and logistical hurdles that often delay or derail licensure for internationally trained professionals. The result is a practical pathway that recognizes existing clinical expertise while aligning it to New York State standards and workplace expectations.
For New York City’s healthcare system, the benefits are immediate: hospitals gain multilingual, culturally competent nurses who can communicate effectively with diverse patient populations; patients gain providers with rich international experience; and the broader economy gains residents advancing into stable, in-demand careers. For graduates, the milestone represents more than a credential—it is a return to bedside practice, upward mobility, and long-term professional growth in one of the nation’s most dynamic healthcare markets.
Prospective candidates who were trained as nurses outside the United States and are interested in RN licensure in New York can explore upcoming cohorts, eligibility guidelines, and application timelines through NYC SBS and Lehman College program information. Seats are limited, and applicants are encouraged to review documentation requirements and prepare transcripts early.
Are you a foreign trained nurse looking to start a career in NYC? Apply for the next cohort: https://on.nyc.gov/3cg3tnp
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Sources: NYC SBS Facebook , Big New York news
