Tuition-Free Program Prepares Nurses for U.S. Licensure and Employment
Long Island City, NY (December 19, 2024) — LaGuardia Community College is extending an invitation to internationally trained nurses in New York City to join the NYC Welcome Back Center, a transformative program designed to help them enter the U.S. healthcare sector. This tuition-free initiative equips skilled nurses with the tools they need to become Registered Nurses (RNs) in the U.S. The next cohort starts in February 2025, with applications due by January 31, 2025.
The program is part of LaGuardia’s Continuing Education division, which bridges the gap for immigrant professionals by addressing credentialing and language barriers. “The NYC Welcome Back Center meets the city’s need for a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce,” said Sunil B. Gupta, Vice President of Continuing Education at LaGuardia.
What the Program Offers
The NYC Welcome Back Center adopts an Integrated Education and Training (IET) model, combining English language instruction with professional nursing education. Courses are team-taught by English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instructors and faculty from LaGuardia’s nationally recognized Nursing Program.
Participants prepare for the NCLEX-RN, the mandatory licensure exam for RNs in the U.S., while learning about the differences between the U.S. healthcare system and those in their home countries. To accommodate working professionals, classes run Monday through Thursday evenings, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Support Beyond the Classroom
Students benefit from comprehensive case management and support services, including:
- Assistance with educational and professional referrals.
- Guidance on navigating the U.S. job market.
- Access to community resources.
The program is open to New York State residents authorized to work in the U.S., with some components requiring proof of New York City residency.
Success Stories: A Pathway to Nursing Careers
The Welcome Back Center has already made a meaningful impact on the lives of participants. Take, for example, Mamata Dhakal, a nurse from Nepal who moved to the U.S. in 2007. Initially working as a babysitter and private tutor, she turned to LaGuardia to improve her English and relaunch her nursing career. After completing the program, Mamata passed the NCLEX-RN and secured a Registered Nurse position.
“LaGuardia has helped me in each and every moment to learn English, earn a degree, and become a Registered Nurse,” Mamata shared.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can learn more about eligibility and fill out an online application form here. The application deadline for the Winter Cohort is January 31, 2025.
Questions can be directed to:
- Email: nycwbc@lagcc.cuny.edu
- Phone: (718) 482-5460
- Office: Room C-239, 29-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, Queens. Walk-ins are welcome Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
About LaGuardia Community College
As part of the City University of New York (CUNY), LaGuardia Community College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution located in Queens. Since its founding in 1971, the college has empowered immigrant communities and underserved populations through its wide array of degree and certificate programs.
The NYC Welcome Back Center is a proud component of LaGuardia’s Center for Immigrant Education and Training (CIET), which has assisted thousands of immigrants in improving their English skills and pursuing professional careers over the past two decades.
Join the NYC Welcome Back Center and take the next step toward a rewarding nursing career in New York City’s vibrant healthcare sector.
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