2023 - Best Nursing Schools in New Jersey

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.

Bloomfield College is located in Bloomfield, New Jersey.  They offer a BSN program and an RN to BSN program; the RN to BSN program is an accelerated program that has one day of on-site coursework, with the rest of the work being completed online.  They also offer a certificate in gerontology, which is a six credit certificate that can be completed after a BSN is earned.

Bloomfield College is a higher education institution, named after its location, Bloomfield, New Jersey. It received numerous awards and accolades, among these as the 27th in Social Mobility in NJ, and 14th in the nation's most diverse liberal arts college based from the U.S. News & World Report in 2017. Its Frances M. McLaughlin Division of Nursing has undergraduate programs ranking seventh best in New Jersey.

The Nursing Division emphasizes foundation in nursing practice in its curriculum with hands-on classroom environment, technology training, and immersions in various health care settings. The programs offered under this divisions are as follows:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing - This program aims to prepare health-care ready individuals by ensuring they undergo clinical practice. Graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) and land and employment in health-related industries. Bloomfield College has a whooping 94% NCLEX passing rate. In terms of employment, it expects 16% job growth from 2014-2024. This program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

 RN to BSN Accelerated Degree - This allows Registered Nurses (RNs) with a diploma and associate’s degree in nursing a fast track to getting their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. Being an accelerated program, it is designed for a faster pace with flexible course offerings to cater working professionals. This is a hybrid program, meaning classes are done both online and on-site, in a 12-month duration.

Thomas Edison State College is a Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)- accredited public institution of higher learning in New Jersey. Established in 1972 by the New Jersey Board of Higher Education, it is now one of the oldest schools in the country.

One of its schools, the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing and Health Professions received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for its nursing baccalaureate, master’s and doctor of nursing practice program degrees. Among the programs offered are:

RN-BSN/MSN - The RN-BSN/MSN program provides an opportunity for experienced registered nurses (RNs) to possess a degree through a flexible and convenient online set-up. Enrolment for this program is open throughout the year. The RN-BSN track is specifically suited for those with a nursing associate degree and diploma program. Nursing courses can be completed in just a 15-month frame on a self-paced learning.

Meanwhile those who complete 27 credits on top of the BSN requirements, are eligible for admission to the MSN program. This is offered quad-annually (January, April, July, and October). Upon completion of this 12-week program, students will receive both program completion diplomas and a graduate nursing certificate. To be admitted, he/she must be a graduate of an RN diploma program of nursing or with an associate degree in nursing, or both, from a recognized foreign institution and regionally-accredited university or college in the US. At least two years of nursing experience is also preferred.

 BS in Nursing (Accelerated BSN Program) - The BS in Nursing (Accelerated BSN Program) allows those with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees or with 60 college-level credits to fast track their entry in the nursing profession. This is a 15-month, full-time and intense hybrid program, meaning courses are offered both on-campus and online. Graduates of this program are eligible for nursing employment and for sitting in the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX- RN). In terms of NCLEX performance, it has produced consistent higher passing rates compared to the national and state’s ratings.

 Pre-nursing track for the accelerated BSN Program - For those students who plan to take the Accelerated BSN Program but have not yet completed the course prerequisites, this Pre-Nursing Track is designed to address this concern. This flexible and versatile track also allows students to simultaneously earn an AAS in Applied Health Studies, if preferred. He/she will be assigned to an advisor to help in planning and mapping the course study. On top of that, course credits can also be applied for to the degree for faster completion, upon evaluation.

 Master of Science in Nursing - This 36-unit Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is for those who possess a BSN degree from an accredited university with a nursing experience of at least two years. The program is composed of a 12-unit core and 9-unit electives or direct care courses plus a 15-unit specialty. Area of specialty can be in Educator Program, Informatics, or Administration. Upon program completion, a certificate for the will be given for each respective specialty, on top of the MSN degree.

 Doctor of Nursing Practice - The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) with Systems-Level Leadership area of specialty, is offered purely online. Hence, this doctoral program does not require onsite classes and visits, and courses can be accessed online 24/7. This can be taken either full time or part time at 18 or 36 months respectively. This 36-credit DNP program emphasizes theoretical knowledge application for arriving at evidence-based outcomes.

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.

Stockton University is located in Galloway, New Jersey.  Stockton University offers a BSN program, an accelerated BSN program (for students with a prior bachelor's degree) and an RN to BSN program.  This program is offered online, with the exception of the clinical component, which is requires time in the clinical setting.

William Paterson University (WP), located in New Jersey, has a national accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) for its Department of Nursing. It offers degrees and certificates in the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level. Among the programs offered are:

 BS in Nursing General

This is in preparation for becoming a professional nurse with knowledge in giving clinical care in various settings. Program graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

 BS in Nursing RN

This program’s admission requirements are patterned after the New Jersey articulation model for BSN completion. A graduation from an accredited nursing program is required to progress to a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

 Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing online - This RN to BSN Program is offered 100% online for added flexibility. Classes start on January 24, 2022.

 Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) - The MSN is a graduate degree program which can be taken in five different specialization tracks—Adult Gerontology in Primary Care (AGNP), Administration, Education, School Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). This can also be taken in an 100% online flexible schedule through the online MSN program. Specialization tracks offered in the online program do not include school nursing.

Curriculum and Learning: School Nursing, MED -  A 33-credit program which is composed of a 15-credit school nurse core, 9-credit curriculum and learning core, and another 9-credit interdisciplinary core subjects.

Post Master’s Certificate - Offered 100% online to cater for working professionals. A certificate as a nurse practitioner in the following chosen tracks will be awarded to the student upon completion:  Family Nurse, Adult-Gerontology, Nursing Education, and Nursing Administration.

 RN to MSN  - This is another program which has 100% online coursework, designed for working RNs. Areas of specialization can be in administration and nurse education or as a nurse practitioner for family or adult gerontology.

 Adult Gerontology and Family Nurse Practitioner Certification - Designed for registered nurses with a master’s degree, and would like an advanced nursing practice certification. Upon completion of the program requirements, he/she can take the certification exam for Adult Gerontology or Family Nurse Practitioner.

 Doctor or Nursing Practice (DNP) - This 41-credit program can be taken in seven semesters. It received an accreditation from Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) effective until June 30, 2030.

 BSN to DNP Program - Provides an opportunity to obtain both an MSN and DNP degree with two tracks to choose from: FNP or AGNP