The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) has recognized several accredited nursing degree programs in New Jersey for top-notch clinical training. Nestled on the Mid-Atlantic Coast, New Jersey is the country’s 11th most populous state with a fast-growing population of 8.9 million. The healthcare sector in the Garden State’s highly diverse $487 billion economy is particularly popular with nurses. Nursing majors benefit from studies surrounded by nearly 100 hospitals, including the top-ranked Morristown Medical Center, Hackensack University Medical Center, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. It’s no surprise that the BLS recognized the New York-Jersey City Metro for the highest employment level of RNs nationwide. The 78,460 registered nurses in New Jersey bring home a sizeable average yearly salary of $79,840. To see more nursing degree programs in New Jersey, visit Nursing Degree Programs in New Jersey (R-Z).
Bloomfield College
Frances M. McLaughlin Division of Nursing
Established in 1868 by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) as the German Theological Seminary, Bloomfield College has developed into a four-year private, Christian liberal arts institution enrolling over 2,100 undergraduates on a 12-acre suburban campus in Bloomfield, one of CNNMoney’s “Best Places to Live.” Ranked 10th nationwide for economic diversity by the U.S. News, Bloomfield was crowned the Northeast’s 185th best regional college in Forbes magazine. Holding CCNE accreditation, the Frances M. McLaughlin Division of Nursing offers accredited nursing degree programs in New Jersey just 17 miles across the Hudson from New York City.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Admitting cohorts every Fall, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program instills the clinical intelligence, critical thinking skills, and passion that Bloomfield graduates need for the fast-paced RN profession. Traditional students enter the program after finishing the college’s Pre-Nursing major with a minimum 2.5 GPA. There’s also an Accelerated RN to BSN track available for licensed nurses seeking advanced healthcare responsibility in just 18 months. Aligned with the New Jersey Board of Nursing, the curriculum takes a hybrid format of face-to-face and online courses currently costing just $1,860 each. Major coursework delves into pharmacology, community nursing, nutrition, psychiatric health, and pediatric development for various RN specialties. Nurses could also add the Certificate in Gerontology with five extra units.
Accreditations
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
467 Franklin Street
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
(973) 748-9000 ext. 1120
neddie_serra@bloomfield.edu
http://www.bloomfield.edu/academics/degrees-programs/nursing/bachelors
Caldwell University
Department of Nursing
Grounded in the tradition of St. Dominic, Caldwell University is a private, co-educational Roman Catholic liberal arts institution initially founded in 1939 that’s presently educating nearly 1,000 students from a 70-acre suburban campus along Essex County’s Route 506 just four miles from Montclair. Crowned a “Great College for the Liberal Arts” by Wintergreen Orchard House, Caldwell is ranked the North’s 104th top regional university in the USNWR survey. PayScale also places Caldwell University among the Garden State’s 24 best returns on investment. The Department of Nursing maintains CCNE accreditation to confer over 60 white coats annually.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) Program
Caldwell’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) stands out among accredited nursing degree programs in New Jersey for delivering a liberal arts foundation informed by Catholic values. This traditional, four-year sequence prepares students for passing the NCLEX-RN exam and engaging in effective patient practice. Requiring 124 total credits, the curriculum begins in the freshman year with an enriched core. State-of-the-art simulation facilities ensure clinical skills are sharpened before field practicum begins. Past Caldwell placements have included St. Mary’s General Hospital, Morristown Medical Center, and Saint Barnabas Medical Center. Tracks can be customized for licensed RNs and second-degree B.S. students. Majors can also join the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.
Accreditations
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
120 Bloomfield Avenue
Caldwell, NJ 07006
(973) 618-3158
TSirota@caldwell.edu
https://www.caldwell.edu/academics/academic-departments/nursing
The College of New Jersey
School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science
Endowed for $33.2 million, The College of New Jersey begin as the United States’ fifth normal school in 1855 before expanding into a comprehensive public, state-funded teaching institution with enrollment surpassing 7,300 upon its 289-acre suburban campus in Ewing Township just outside Trenton. Picked as the #1 best public value statewide in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, TCNJ is ranked the North’s third best regional college and top public school by the U.S. News. The MSCHE-accredited college also scored 13th for “Happiest Students” according to the Princeton Review. The School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science was honored with NLN Center of Excellence designation in 2015.
BSN in Nursing
Featuring a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, the BSN in Nursing program at TCNJ implements a mentorship model for training registered nurses who lead improved patient outcomes. The four-year, 32-unit curriculum builds upon liberal learning for viewing humanities, life sciences, and behavioral sciences from the health context. Great emphasis is placed on clinical leadership to provide graduate school preparation. Like other accredited nursing degree programs in New Jersey, there is an RN-to-BSN option available. However, registered nurses benefit from off-site instruction at Capital Health or Hunterdon Medical Center. BSN majors complete several clinical practicum in adult/elder, childbearing family, and community roles. Currently, TCNJ nursing graduates have a 100 percent job placement rate.
Accreditations
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
2000 Pennington Road
Ewing, NJ 08628
(609) 771-2591
nursing@tcnj.edu
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Henry P. Becton School of Nursing & Allied Health
Based on a main 266-acre suburban campus within the NYC Metro in Teaneck with extensions in Florham Park, Vancouver, and Oxfordshire, Fairleigh Dickinson University is a private, nonsectarian research institution offering career-oriented education to over 12,000 students. Ranked among the top 10 for Latino/as by Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, FDU is the North’s 67th best regional university according to the U.S. News. Fairleigh Dickinson also earned the “Military Friendly” distinguished from Victory Media. Celebrating 58 years, the Henry P. Becton School of Nursing & Allied Health has achieved an average NCLEX pass rate of 93 percent.
B.S. in Nursing (BSN)
The B.S. in Nursing (BSN) at Fairleigh Dickinson offers two accredited nursing degree programs in New Jersey from one well-organized school. That’s because future RNs can attend courses at the Metro or Florham campus depending on their commuting needs. Students transform into professional nurses with the practical skills to care for persons and families across specialties. This four-year, generalist program starts introducing clinical lab courses to sophomores for great depth. Registered nurses already holding an associate degree could complete the B.S. with just 66 credits. FDU also offers an Accelerated track for career-changers holding non-nursing bachelor’s degrees. Partnering agencies like St. Peter’s Hospital, JFK Medical Center, and Eastern Christian Children’s Retreat offer practicum.
Accreditations
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
1000 River Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666
(201) 692-2888
scabassa@fdu.edu
Felician University
School of Nursing
Originally called Immaculate Conception Junior College until 1963, Felician University is a private, nonprofit Catholic institution affiliated with the Felician Sisters to educate over 2,000 students of diverse faiths from its two Bergen County campuses covering 27 suburban acres in Rutherford and Lodi. Honored in Money magazine’s “Top 25 Private Colleges for Merit Aid,” Felician is graded A for campus safety and B for diversity by Niche. The School of Nursing is recognized by the U.S. News as America’s 189th best nursing educator for top-notch accredited nursing degree programs in New Jersey, including a BSN.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree
Taking a generalist approach, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree at Felician trains undergraduates on the basic clinical skills required for health promotion, maintenance, and restoration across the lifespan. The 122-credit, pre-licensure program aligns with AACN guidelines to ensure up-to-date healthcare strategies. Technological mannequins within the Nursing Simulation Center allow BSN majors to perform complex medical treatments. Seniors also complete a clinical residency with one 13-hour shift weekly under an RN preceptor. Over 72 percent of courses have fewer than 20 students for individualized learning. Felician University is highly regarded for having the most members in the New Jersey Nursing Students (NJNS) Inc. There’s also an Accelerated Bachelor to BSN option.
Accreditations
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
223 Montross Avenue
Rutherford, NJ 07070
(201) 355-1465
admissions@felician.edu
http://www.felician.edu/nursing-programs
Georgian Court University
Meridian Health School of Nursing
Affiliated with the Conference for Mercy Higher Education (CMHE), Georgian Court University is a private, nonprofit Roman Catholic institution operated by the Sisters of Mercy that became co-educational in 2013 to educate over 2,100 students from its beautiful 156-acre suburban campus in Ocean County’s Lakewood Township. Chosen as the Northeast’s 21st best bang for the buck within Washington Monthly, GCU is currently ranked the 122nd top regional university by the U.S. News. Located in the Audrey Birish George Science Center, the Meridian Health School of Nursing is CCNE-accredited and tied to one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”
B.S.N. in Nursing
With an acceptance rate of 73 percent, the B.S.N. in Nursing program at Georgian Court selects qualified high school graduates and transfers who exhibit the skill and compassion for registered nursing. The 120-credit curriculum integrates diverse coursework in pharmacology, physiology, therapeutic intervention, clinical leadership, behavioral health, pediatrics, microbiology, and more. Didactic instruction is beautifully paired with clinical practice through Meridian Health’s High Technology Simulation Lab. Evidence-based nursing strategies are fine-tuned for students to successfully pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Those transferring from other accredited nursing degree programs in New Jersey could earn the Fast Track BSN in six semesters. Adding a minor in Gerontology, Exercise Science, or Holistic Health is encouraged.
Accreditations
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
900 Lakewood Avenue
Lakewood, NJ 08701
(732) 987-2183
lwardle@georgian.edu
http://georgian.edu/academics/undergraduate/nursing/
Monmouth University
Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies
Ideally positioned on a 159-acre suburban campus in West Long Branch that features the former Shadow Lawn mansion used by Woodrow Wilson, Monmouth University is a private, nonprofit student-centered institution carrying a $75 million endowment to educate around 6,200 Hawks. Noted for having several faculty in the Princeton Review’s “Best 300 Professors,” Monmouth is deemed the 38th best regional college and 21st top veteran-friendly school in the North by the U.S. News. The Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies is also distinguished for having the nation’s 124th best nursing education.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Pre-licensure cohorts of 25 students enroll in Monmouth’s CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program yearly to fulfill burgeoning demand for a professional RN workforce. Liberal arts education produces qualified generalists with the analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills to accurately assess patient well-being. Courses are taught solely by faculty with terminal degrees instead of teaching assistants. Hands-on learning is abundant to expose students to the healthcare arena via laboratory and clinical practicum. Working RNs can finish their BSN with an accelerated track requiring only one three-hour session per week. The 128-credit curriculum is recognized by other accredited nursing degree programs in New Jersey and beyond for a master’s.
Accreditations
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
400 Cedar Avenue
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
(732) 923-4669
bjohnsto@monmouth.edu
http://www.monmouth.edu/school-of-nursing-health/bachelor-of-science-in-nursing.aspx
Rider University
College of Continuing Studies
Belonging to the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), Rider University is a private, co-educational higher learning institution divided into five academic colleges to serve nearly 5,500 non-traditional students from its 303-acre suburban campus in Lawrenceville and continuing education center in Princeton. According to the U.S. News, Rider is the North’s 23rd best regional college, 12th top school for former military, and 26th best value. Forbes magazine also picked Rider for America’s 320th most grateful graduates. The College of Continuing Studies helps RNs balance their careers with one of the accredited nursing degree programs in New Jersey online.
Online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Nurses holding unencumbered licensure with an associate degree or diploma can advance their education with Rider’s Online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This customized, 120-credit curriculum allows students to transfer up to 90 credits and life experience. Accelerated nursing courses span seven weeks with clinical practica seamlessly embedded. Topics addressed include population health, geronotological nursing, health policy, information management, and cultural diversity. Prospective RNs can “test drive” an entire online course without paying a dime. The CCNE-accredited degree stands out for affordability, flexibility, personalized mentoring, and generous financial aid. Affiliated clinical agencies include Princeton HealthCare System and St. Francis Medical Center.
Accreditations
• Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Contact
101 Walnut Lane
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 895-5435
rfliszar@rider.edu
The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is emerging as the must-have degree for registered nursing practice. Recommendations from the Institute of Medicine are pushing for 80 percent of the RN workforce to be baccalaureate prepared by 2020. Dozens of New Jersey hospitals are changing rules and requiring veteran nurses return to RN-BSN programs. The Lancet implied that RNs with bachelor’s degrees lower patient mortality rates by nearly one-third. Meet advancing regulations in the healthcare field by considering these accredited nursing degree programs in New Jersey.
Related Resource: Top 10 Cheapest Online RN-BSN Degree Programs
