Train to be an LPN and have your costs reimbursed

A student and a teacher

Capital Region BOCES and the Caring Gene® Career Pathways Training Program (CPT) are partnering to provide adults with a new pathway to a meaningful career as a practical nurse while also helping area institutions address the healthcare workforce shortage.

Through this partnership, eligible New York State residents and residents of certain bordering states could receive full coverage of tuition, books, and academic fees while pursing education in 13 healthcare, behavioral and social care fields, including for the Practical Nursing (PN) program offered to adults at Capital Region BOCES.  The program, administered by the Iroquois Healthcare Association and funded by the New York State Department of Health, supports both new healthcare workers and current professionals seeking career advancement.

To be eligible, residents must commit to working in New York state for three years after graduation serving populations at or above the 3% Medicaid threshold. 

Anyone interested in checking their eligibility should visit the Caring Gene website

The Caring Gene® Career Pathways Training Program benefits
aspiring and current caregivers in various ways, including:

Financial Assistance
We fully cover tuition, books, and academic fees for students who commit
to completing their education by spring 2027 and fulfilling the three-year
service agreement.

Academic Support
Our dedicated case specialists connect students with academic resources, including tutors and mentors.

Job Placement
We’ll provide access to a private job board and prepare you for success in your field.

To be eligible, residents must commit to working in New York state for three years after graduation serving populations at or above the 3% Medicaid threshold. 

Adult students enrolling in the Capital Region BOCES program for the 2025-26 school year are eligible. Registration for the full-time, daytime program runs through Aug. 14 with classes beginning Sept. 2, 2025, and concluding on June 30, 2026.

The Capital Region BOCES adult Practical Nursing program

The Capital Region BOCES adult PN program prepares students to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

The state-approved program encompasses 1,100 hours of classroom and clinical study and practice. Students earn their clinical experience in every major local healthcare facility, including Albany Medical Center, St. Peter’s Hospital, Ellis Hospital and nursing facilities in the tri-city area.

Classes are taught at the Career & Technical Education Center – Albany Campus, located at 925B Watervliet-Shaker Road in Albany (Colonie).

Click here for more on the adult Practical Nursing program.