Overview  

State government fosters an environment that encourages and supports professional growth and career opportunities for nurses. Over 10,000 Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and Licensed Practical Nurses work in challenging and rewarding positions in agencies located across the State. Whether you are already employed in State government or are considering working for State government, this site provides an overview of the benefits and opportunities available.

Nurses employed in State government receive:

• Comprehensive benefit packages, including retirement benefits
• Opportunities for positions across the State
• A wide range of career mobility options
• A broad selection of education, professional development and training opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement and tuition assistance for eligible employees

Nurses employed in State government work with diverse populations in a wide variety of practice settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Clinics and Community Residences
• Correctional Facilities
• Veterans' Homes
• Family Care
• Teaching and Research Centers

Nurses can practice in a variety of specialty areas, including:

• Addictions
• Adolescent Health
• Community Health
• Corrections
• Epidemiology
• Geriatrics
• Health Care Surveyor
• Infection Control
• Medicaid Audit
• Medical/Surgical
• Occupational/Employee Health
• Preventative Health (Health and Wellness)
• Psychiatry
• Public Health
• Quality Assurance
• Rehabilitation
• Research
• Training
• Utilization Review
• Veterans' Health

For Frequently Asked Questions regarding Nursing Careers, visit the FAQ page.

Professional Development  

Workplace Skills and Professional Development Courses offer opportunities for training and development on topics such as supervisory skills, management development, and interpersonal workplace skills.

Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers training on topics specific to nursing.

Public Service Training Program (PSTP) offers reimbursement for qualifying courses, events, or examinations.

Agencies and Facilities  

Nursing positions exist in the following agencies/facilities:

• Department of Corrections and Community Supervision
• Department of Health
• Education Department
• Office of Addiction Services and Supports
• Office of Children and Family Services
• Office of Mental Health
• Office for People With Developmental Disabilities
• State University System
• Workers' Compensation Board

Entry Level Nursing Positions 

Health Care Surveyor (Nursing) Title Series

Health Care Surveyor 1 (Nursing)
Health Care Surveyor 2 (Nursing)
Health Care Surveyor 3 (Nursing)
Health Care Surveyor 4 (Nursing)

These titles are responsible for the surveillance and regulation of health care providers to ensure that care provided meets standards of practice and complies with State and Federal statutes and regulations.

Registered Nurse 2 (Community) works within the framework of a treatment team providing nursing services to individuals diagnosed with mental illness, alcoholism or substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and their caretakers/families.

Registered Nurse 1 (Health Services) employs a holistic approach to providing occupational health services while working independently and without direct supervision.

Registered Nurse 2 (Medical Care) performs initial health care and vocational assessments, projecting long and short-term goals; makes recommendations for continuing care and/or suggest alternative treatment plans; and coordinates and monitors all health care and vocational services.

Registered Nurse 1, Registered Nurse 1 (Spanish Language), Registered Nurse 1 (Chinese Language), Registered Nurse 1 (Manual Communications) / Nurse 3 - all require license and registration to practice nursing in New York State (some positions require post-RN licensure clinical nursing experience, or specialized nursing experience, or a bachelor's degree in nursing, or certification in a specialized area).

Teaching Research Center Nurses

Graduate Nurse (Teaching & Research Center)
Registered Nurse 1 (Teaching & Research Center)
Registered Nurse 2 (Teaching & Research Center)
Registered Nurse Supervisor 1 (Teaching & Research Center)

These titles provide nursing care to patients in an acute care environment requiring complex nursing skills using advanced knowledge and skill in assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of nursing care.

Registered Nurse 2 (Geriatric)

Registered Nurse 1 & 2 (Rehabilitation)

Registered Nurse 3 (Correctional Services)

Graduate Nurse, Graduate Nurse (Manual Communications), Graduate Nurse (Spanish Language, Graduate Nurse (Chinese Language)

Registered Nurse 1 & 2 (Psychiatric)

Registered Nurse 1 (Psychiatric) (Spanish Language)
Registered Nurse 1 (Psychiatric) (Manual Communication)
Registered Nurse 2 (Psychiatric) (Spanish Language)
Registered Nurse 2 (Psychiatric) (Chinese Language)
Registered Nurse (Psychiatric) (Manual Communications)

Additional Information 

For more information on nursing positions, please see the Glossary of Titles-Inquiry Tool (GOT-IT). The "Title Search" feature allows you to search for a specific title by name (i.e. Registered Nurse 2 - Community) and will show the salary grade, location of the position (by county), job description, qualifications, examination information, and related career mobility options.