Applications Now Open for Cayuga’s Inaugural Spring Nursing Cohort

Cayuga Community College will accept its first spring cohort of nursing students in 2026, welcoming them into one of the most successful and top-ranked RN programs in New York State.

In a new grant-funded initiative to accommodate the rising demand for trained, talented nurses in the healthcare industry, Cayuga is accepting 16 students into a fast-track Spring 2026 cohort at its Auburn Campus. The initiative is funded by the SUNY Operating Aid to Enhance Workforce Outcomes.

Applications for the Spring 2026 semester are open until November 14, 2025. Applications for the Fall 2026 semester open October 1, 2025. Details on applying can be found at https://www.cayuga-cc.edu/admissions/process/nursing-admissions/.

“Every year, Cayuga graduates incredible nurses who are ready to make a difference in patients’ lives and in the healthcare industry across Central New York. That’s a credit to the commitment of our students and the dedication of our outstanding faculty,” said Cayuga President Dr. Brian Durant. “We’re eager to see our Nursing program continue growing, and we greatly appreciate SUNY’s support for this new spring initiative.”

“We’re always excited for new pathways to open that allow students to join our Nursing program as they pursue their passion about helping people in need. Our program is built to prepare graduates for successful careers, and we have a proven record of helping them achieve their dream. I encourage anyone who has the goal of making a difference in healthcare to apply for this opportunity,” said Cayuga Division Chair of Nursing Mary Driscoll.

Cayuga welcomes student cohorts into its Nursing program each fall, but this will be the first time students have started the program in the spring. Students in the spring cohort will complete courses at the Auburn Campus in the Spring 2026 semester and the Summer 2026 term. They can finish their Associate in Applied Science at either campus in the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 semesters.

Cayuga’s Nursing program is one of the top associate degree RN programs in New York, with 99 percent of its graduates from 2021-2024 passing the NCLEX on their first attempt, including perfect marks from 2021-2023.

The program prioritizes professional standards, patient care and advocacy, and provides a variety of clinical settings for students to gain experience caring for patients of any age. Students learn theoretical knowledge and clinical skills to provide care for patients, as well as leadership skills, communication techniques, and medical technologies to better care for their patients in varied healthcare settings.

For more details on Cayuga’s Nursing program or to apply, visit https://www.cayuga-cc.edu/admissions/process/nursing-admissions/.