Best RN Programs in New Jersey for 2024

Passaic County Community College (PCCC) is strategically situated with multiple locations in Wayne, Wanaque, and Passaic, New Jersey, ideal for those seeking convenient access to education. For added convenience, classes can also be done online. PCCC’s curriculum is designed to prepare its students for ease of transition to the workforce or a four-year course. Among the nursing programs offered in its Health Sciences department are:

 Associate in Applied Science Nursing Program - This Nurse Education Program allows students to earn an Associate Degree in Applied Science. Moreover, graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), and apply for a registered nurse (RN) license, thereafter. The curriculum is a combination of nursing courses and General Education subjects with the latter including liberal arts and sciences. Program admission is competitive and uses a Selection Point System. Moreover, this program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) with a continuing accreditation as the latest decision.

 Associate in Applied Science Nurse Education-LPN Mobility Program - This LPN Mobility Program is designed for Licensed Professional Nurses who seek careers as Registered Nurses. To be admitted, an applicant must be a high school graduate or with GED. He/she must also complete the required college-level courses with a grade of C or better. Similar to the Nurse Education Program, admission is also competitive with a selection point system computed from the LPN mobility exam result, grade point average (GPA) ,and number of college credits earned.

Situated in West Windsor, New Jersey, Mercer County Community College (MCCC) is an open-to-all public institution. It has a rich and diverse culture which gives students an option to take classes purely online or in hybrid settings.

Its nursing program under the Math, Science, and Health Professions Division emphasizes meeting the healthcare needs of diverse individuals in various health care settings. The curriculum is focused not only on clinical reasoning but in patient-centered care as well. It received an accreditation from ACEN or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The associate degree nursing program, to be specific, got a continuing accreditation decision from ACEN.

Associate Degree Nursing (AND) Program - This ACEN and New Jersey Board of Nursing-accredited program  provides coursework and clinical experiences to develop individuals capable of coping up with the changing healthcare needs.

If taken in a Fall Term start, with completed foundation courses prerequisites and requirements, this program can be completed in a two-year span. Approach is flexible enough to cater to student’s career goals, intended transfer institution, and other factors. Since this is an associate degree, students can complete their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree through MCCC’s partner institutions. Felician College and Rutgers University, for instance, offer an RN-BSN program inside the premises of MCCC. This provides ease-of-access to AND program holders who wish to proceed to BSN in the aforementioned schools.

Founded in 1965, the County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph, New Jersey, has been catering to the training and educational needs of its nearby areas for more than 50 years. Its Department of Nursing, under the School of Health Professions and Natural Sciences offers a program leading to an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science, accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and New Jersey Board of Nursing. The curriculum, taught by master’s and doctoral degree holder faculty, is designed to ensure balance between nursing courses and general education subjects to train its students in providing appropriate nursing care in a variety of healthcare settings. Its nursing program is offered in several tracks:

Pre-Professional (Non-Clinical Study) Phase - This pre-professional track is designed to cater students who are not yet eligible for the professional (clinical) phase. It can be taken either in day or night classes, with a part time or full-time option. Required nursing major courses such as science and general education subjects are offered in this phase.

Professional (Clinical) Study Phase - In this phase, the sequential nursing courses are offered and can be taken either through day or evening study options, with a schedule subject to variations depending on clinical site availability. The courses are composed of onsite classroom and laboratory activities.

Traditional Day Study Track - This day study track should be completed in four consecutive semesters, and offered beginning in the fall semester. Some qualifications considered upon admission are: completion of required credits, GPA of 2.5 or better, and a grade of  “C” or better in all subjects. 

Evening/Hybrid Study Track - A similar track to the traditional day study, only that the evening/hybrid study track is designed for evening hours class and offered at the beginning of spring semester. The same requirements with the aforementioned track are needed for admission.

Ocean County College is located in Toms River, New Jersey.  Ocean County College has multiple options for its nursing students; they do offer a traditional nursing program.  They also offer a career mobility program, which is an LPN to RN program.  Unique to their college is the On-site Online Nursing program - this program requires students to attend class one day per week on-site, with the rest being online.  Students must have prior healthcare experience to be accepted into this program.

With more than 50 years of service, Ocean County College (OCC) is a private educational institution located in College Drive, Toms River, New Jersey.

Its nursing programs, offered under the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, is noted for its excellent nursing education quality. It was established in 1966, and currently has 11 full-time faculty and 2 full-time laboratory staff. The nursing programs offered are as follows:

 Traditional Nursing Program - Preferably done in a full-time study, this program has a two-day per week session which can be taken either in the day or evening. The program accepts 90 students every Spring and Fall semesters. To be admitted, applicants must have any of the following: a cumulative GPA of 2.7, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college, or a SAT Result with 1100 a score of above in combined Critical Reading and Math.

 On-Site Online Nursing Program - This program is designed to offer flexibility for working individuals. It is a rigorous program which strikes a balance between once or more face-to-face sessions and online classes. Admissions are open every Fall semester only. Students who have not completed all general education requirements are discouraged from applying.

 Career Mobility Nursing Program - This program is for Ocean County residents practicing LPNs.  To be admitted, a passing TEAS score and completion of nursing general education requirements is a must. Its revised proposal is approved by the National League for Nursing Accreditation Commission and New Jersey Board of Nursing.

Essex County College (ECC), is a non-discriminatory community college located in Newark, New Jersey. With 94 full-time faculty members and more than 50 years in service, it prides itself in being an inclusive and fair institution. ECC’s nursing department provides nursing simulations through its state-of-the-art facilities. Among the programs offered in this department are the following:

 LPN Program - The Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program is geared towards developing skilled healthcare workers who can provide practical nursing care. This program is open to students 18 years and above with a high school diploma or GED. Depending on the scores in the placement test, the ECC administration may require students to complete developmental courses prior to admission. Application starts on April 15 and ends on June 30.

 LPN/ LPN-RN Program - The LPN-RN Program is offered to Licensed Practical Nurses who completed his/her education from an accredited institution with a current, unexpired license. Admission is on a merit-basis, meaning, everyone interested in the said program will be ranked based on points garnered from LPN education, GPA, ATI and residency.  Application is from July 15 to August 31.

 RN Program - The AAS Degree Registered Nurse Program, also known as RN Program, is a 66-credit degree coursework for individuals who want to be a professional nurse. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for RNs (NCLEX-RN). To be admitted, a student must possess a high school diploma or GED with a grade of C or higher. He or she must also complete the prerequisite courses on the last day of December, a year prior to admission. Application opens from January 15 to March 31.