Keuka College is bringing its RN to BS in Nursing program back to Canandaigua this fall, giving working nurses in the Finger Lakes a local path to complete a bachelor's degree.
The degree-completion program is being offered in collaboration with F.F. Thompson Hospital and is now accepting applications for the fall 2026 cohort.
Classes will be held at F.F. Thompson Hospital in Canandaigua on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m. The program is open to registered nurses throughout the region and is designed for nurses who want to continue working while advancing their education.
Keuka College said the program can help nurses earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in as little as 18 months. Applicants must have an associate degree in nursing, an unencumbered New York nursing license and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
The program comes as New York's "BS in 10" law continues to affect registered nurses who earned their initial license through an associate degree or diploma program after June 19, 2019. The law requires those nurses to complete a bachelor's degree in nursing within 10 years.
Keuka College President Amy Storey said the hybrid format combines online coursework with face-to-face learning.
"Nursing is, at its heart, a hands-on profession built on human connection," Storey said. "There's real value in bringing nurses together to learn from one another, collaborate with experienced faculty, and create relationships that strengthen both their education and their profession."
Dr. Colleen Carmody, interim executive director of nursing at Keuka College, said the program is intended to create an accessible path for registered nurses who cannot put their careers on hold.
Keuka College Vice President Pete Bekisz said the program also reflects the college's effort to respond to workforce needs across the Finger Lakes.
Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis. More information is available through Keuka College's nursing program and Office of Admissions.
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