Overview of Nursing Schools in New Jersey
- There are 38 nursing schools in New Jersey. The CCNE accredits 15 nursing schools and the ACEN accredits 26 schools in New Jersey.
- Typically, an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) will take between 18 to 24 months to complete, and a Bachelor Degree in Nursing (BSN) will take about 4 years to complete.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for ADN students in New Jersey is between 34.05% and 98.37%.
- The average NCLEX passing rate range for BSN students in New Jersey is between 73.96% and 93.70%.
- The average annual salary for registered nurses is between $52,080 to $111,220 a year.
- Registered Nurses (RN) throughout the country and in New Jersey can expect a favorable job growth of 15 percent from 2016 to 2026 which much faster than the average for all occupations.
Recommended Nursing Schools for New Jersey
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
About Nursing Schools in New Jersey
In the state of New Jersey, there are currently 78,590 nurses working across different healthcare facilities like hospitals, long-term care facilities, acute care, home care, community healthcare centers, and so on. The registered nurses in the state earn $110,510 on average annually. If you are looking to relocate to New Jersey as an RN or thinking of starting your nursing career there, then you will be pleased to know that by the year 2028, the state is going to need a whopping 95,090 RNs in the state which is an 11.3% increment from 2018.
Similarly, if you are a Nurse Practitioner, the state will pay you a sum of $107,600 when you start out and $177,010 once you have an experience of more than 20 years. The state currently has employed almost 6,000 NPs, and the number is projected to rise to 8,010 by 2028. The NPs in New Jersey are allowed Reduced Practice, which means that they will require a career-long regulated collaborative agreement with another health provider in order to provide patient care.
Unfortunately, New Jersey is one of the states that are yet to implement the eNLC (Enhanced Nurse Licensure Compact) that allows nurses to work across states with a single license. Thus, if you are looking to relocate your practice to this state you will have to obtain a new nursing license from the state of New Jersey.
Nurses who graduate from an RN program can obtain certification in over 100 nursing specialties, go on to earn an RN to BSN or RN to MSN degree.
BSN degree holders have options to earn an Advance Practice Register Nursing (APRN) degree and become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), or earn an advanced degree for a career in any number of nursing leadership roles such Nurse Educator or Clinical Nurse Specialist.
New Jersey RN Program Comparisons: ADN vs BSN
Compare RN Programs | ADN | BSN |
---|---|---|
Number of Nursing Programs | 20 | 16 |
Average NCLEX Passing Rate | 83.01% | 83.63% |
NCLEX Passing Rate Range | 34.05% to 98.37% | 73.96% to 93.70% |
Best Ranked RN Programs in New Jersey
To help nursing students in their search for a top RN program, the education experts at RNCareers.org publish their annual findings of the best nursing schools for both New Jersey and the country. Schools ranked on our list have proven their ability to educate highly competent nurses.
To create our rankings, we evaluated 18 ADN degree programs and 13 BSN degree programs in New Jersey. We obtained each institution’s first-time NCLEX-RN passing rates, the number of students taking the test, the program nursing accreditation and more. We then compared the results against other nursing programs in New Jersey to provide our state rankings. View our methodology.
Passaic County Community College
Pass Rate
- One College Blvd, Paterson, NJ - 07505-1179
- (973) 684-6800
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 98.00%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 81
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,400
Book and Supplies: $9,390
Percent Received Aid: 86%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,927
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 17%
Bloomfield College
Frances M. McLaughlin Division of Nursing
Pass Rate
- 467 Franklin St, Bloomfield, NJ - 07003
- (973) 748-9000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 97.14%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Bachelor
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University Information
Total Faculty: 60
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $1,400
Book and Supplies: N/A
Percent Received Aid: 99%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $24,079
Percent Admitted: 85%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 11%
Graduation Rate: 33%
Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Pass Rate
- 83 Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ - 08901-1281
- (848) 445-4636
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 95.65%
- Programs:
- Award Levels:
University Information
Total Faculty: 4283
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $15,804
Book and Supplies: $1,350
Percent Received Aid: 66%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $12,526
Percent Admitted: 67%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 24%
Graduation Rate: 84%
Thomas Edison State College
W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing
Pass Rate
- 111 W State St, Trenton, NJ - 08608
- (609) 984-1100
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.98%
- Programs: Nurse Educator, Nursing Administration, Nursing Informatics, Nursing Leadership, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, Bachelor, MSN, MSN to DNP, RN to MSN
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University Information
Total Faculty:
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $7,182
Book and Supplies: $1,700
Percent Received Aid: N/A
Average Grant or Scholarship: $5,559,000
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: N/A
Mercer County Community College
Pass Rate
- 1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor, NJ - 08550-3407
- (609) 586-4800
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.70%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 101
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $4,728
Book and Supplies: $8,328
Percent Received Aid: 64%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,241
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 19%
County College of Morris
Pass Rate
- 214 Center Grove Rd, Randolph, NJ - 07869-2086
- (973) 328-5000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 94.50%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 155
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,520
Book and Supplies: $13,620
Percent Received Aid: 56%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,563
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 35%
Ocean County College
Pass Rate
- College Drive, Toms River, NJ - 08754-2001
- (732) 255-0400
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 93.90%
- Programs: Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Associate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 113
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $5,250
Book and Supplies: $8,100
Percent Received Aid: 60%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $4,568
Percent Admitted: N/A
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: N/A
Graduation Rate: 38%
Stockton University
Pass Rate
- 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ - 08205-9441
- (609) 652-1776
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.40%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: APRN Certificate, Bachelor, MSN, Post Master's NP Certificate
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University Information
Total Faculty: 335
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $14,885
Book and Supplies: $1,375
Percent Received Aid: 91%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $9,532
Percent Admitted: 77%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 25%
Graduation Rate: N/A
William Paterson University of New Jersey
Pass Rate
- 300 Pompton Rd, Wayne, NJ - 07470
- (973) 720-2000
- NCLEX Passing Rate: (A) 91.31%
- Programs: Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, Registered Nursing
- Award Levels: Accelerated BSN, APRN Certificate, Bachelor, BSN to DNP, MSN, MSN to DNP, Post Master's NP Certificate, RN to MSN
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University Information
Total Faculty: 377
In-State Undergraduate Tuition: $14,210
Book and Supplies: $1,600
Percent Received Aid: 90%
Average Grant or Scholarship: $7,013
Percent Admitted: 81%
Percent Admitted who Enrolled: 15%
Graduation Rate: 56%
Grade
|
University
|
New Jersey Rank
|
Degree
|
---|---|---|---|
87.50 | Brookdale Community College | 8 | ADN |
87.10 | Essex County College | 9 | ADN |
83.20 | Bergen Community College | 12 | ADN |
75.90 | Eastern International College-Belleville | 15 | ADN |
75.00 | Rowan College at Burlington County | 14 | ADN |
62.50 | Middlesex County College | 4 | ADN |
59.70 | Salem Community College | 6 | ADN |
59.70 | Jersey College - Teterboro | 7 | ADN |
58.90 | Raritan Valley Community College | 11 | ADN |
50.80 | Atlantic Cape Community College | 13 | ADN |
63.82 | Felician University | 3 | BSN |
58.01 | Caldwell University | 8 | BSN |
48.22 | New Jersey City University | 12 | BSN |
31.43 | Seton Hall University | 9 | BSN |
Become an Advance Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) in New Jersey
RNs who wish to become advanced practice registered nurses will want to pursue any number of avenues to earn Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Earning a Master of Science in Nursing consists of graduate-level coursework and clinical practice for those nurses who wish to direct patient roles such as a nurse practitioner. You can also pursue indirect patient roles such as teaching or leadership roles, or become involved in policy, state-wide health initiatives or community engagement. There are many clinical and non-clinical avenues that an RN with MSN can pursue.
Become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in New Jersey
Learn how to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) and research schools in New Jersey offering the following high paying nurse practitioner specialties:
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Neonatal Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Learn about Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Degree.
MSN Programs Recommended by Our Education Experts
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
New Jersey RN Licensing Requirements
New Jersey State Board of Nursing
P.O. Box 45010
Newark, NJ 07101
(973) 504-6430
Fees:
Initial licensing fee, RN: $200
License renewal (every two years), RN: $120
Continuing Education Requirements:
RNs and LPNs: 30 contact hours every renewal period
RN Licensure by Exam
Candidates can fill out an application online on the Board website. The application includes questions about education, student loan and child support status, and medical conditions that could interfere with practice. There is a $200 fee to apply to the New Jersey Board. In addition, candidates will be required to complete a criminal background check and pay $67.50 to MorphoTrak electronically. Candidates who have submitted fingerprinting by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs after November 2003 but will have to pay $22.55 for another background check. Following this, the candidate will be required to register with Pearson VUE to take the NCLEX-RN exam and pay the $200 testing fee. The candidate will be able to schedule the exam when Authorization to Test (ATT) has been received. Last but not least, registered nurses must apply for sexual assault certification and pay a $200 fee. There is a $100 fee for the application and an additional $100 fee for certification.
RN Licensure by Endorsement
Registered Nurses who are licensed in one of the other 50 states may apply for licensure by endorsement. Candidates must have their fingerprints done and submit verification of licensure.
RN License for Nurses Educated Abroad
Nurses who were educated in a foreign country have two preliminary steps that must be completed before the application can be completed with the background check and the NCLEX. Candidates must have their coursework evaluated by the Commission of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) and complete an English proficiency exam. There is a $225 fee due to the New Jersey Board for international candidates who are applying for licensure by examination.
Nursing Salaries in New Jersey by Experience
There are many opportunities available for nurses who have obtained a Bachelor’s degree. In addition to positions available in bedside care, there are also positions available in specialty nursing areas. Nurses who wish to pursue other opportunities may be able to fill administrative and nursing management positions. Registered nurses in New Jersey earn an annual mean wage of $84990, which is higher than the national average. This is, in part, because of the push by legislation for higher education.
Nursing Occupation | Employment | 1 to 4 Years | 5 to 9 Years | Average | 10 to 19 Years | 20+ Years |
Nursing Instructors | 2,080 | $57,590 | $73,990 | $90,610 | $105,660 | $126,710 |
Registered Nurses | 78,590 | $65,070 | $73,450 | $84,990 | $99,080 | $110,510 |
Nurse Anesthetists | 800 | $142,290 | $159,550 | $191,800 | - | - |
Nurse Midwives | 130 | $89,680 | $100,610 | $117,320 | $136,190 | $153,330 |
Nurse Practitioners | 5,800 | $93,050 | $107,600 | $122,970 | $141,750 | $177,010 |
LPN and LVN | 15,590 | $45,240 | $52,560 | $58,010 | $63,360 | $68,620 |
Nursing Assistants | 44,560 | $25,510 | $28,130 | $32,070 | $37,610 | $41,510 |
New Jersey Registered Nursing Salaries
The Vinland metropolitan area has the highest amount of registered nurses employed across the state. However, it is the Newark metropolitan area that has the highest hourly mean wage and annual median wage.
Area or City | 1 to 4 Years | 5 to 9 Years | Average | 10 to 19 Years | 20+ Years |
Atlantic City | 2,980 | $65,050 | $72,560 | $96,650 | $104,670 |
Trenton | 3,980 | $61,570 | $72,220 | $96,950 | $106,400 |
Vineland | 1,830 | $69,130 | $73,600 | $90,730 | $103,080 |
Nurse Practitioner Salaries in New Jersey
City or Area | 1 to 4 Years | 5 to 9 Years | Average | 10 to 19 Years | 20+ Years |
Atlantic City | 200 | $98,840 | $113,450 | $140,040 | $177,160 |
Trenton | 300 | $94,840 | $109,450 | $136,040 | $173,160 |
Vineland | 80 | $97,850 | $110,380 | $147,110 | $159,980 |
Projected Number of Nurses Need in New Jersey
Nursing Occupation | 2,018 | 2028 | Change | %Change | Avg. Annl Openings |
LPN or LVN | 17,930 | 19,230 | 1,300 | 7.3 | 1,550 |
Nurse Anesthetists | 640 | 750 | 110 | 17.2 | 50 |
Nurse Midwives | 190 | 210 | 20 | 10.5 | 10 |
Nurse Practitioners | 6,250 | 8,010 | 1,760 | 28.2 | 560 |
Nursing Assistants | 59,070 | 62,300 | 3,230 | 5.5 | 7,120 |
Nursing Instructors | 2,140 | 2,590 | 450 | 21 | 240 |
Registered Nurses | 85,470 | 95,090 | 9,620 | 11.3 | 5,780 |