Those interested in working as a New Jersey Registered Nurse (RN) who do not have a recognized nursing background are required to complete a state-approved NJ RN program to be eligible for state licensure.
Every state must both sanction and regulate its own in-state registered nursing (RN) academic programs. The New Jersey Board of Nursing, which is under the direction of the Division of Consumer Affairs, is responsible for regulating those New Jersey RN programs found throughout the state.
This article both shows prospective nursing students where to find official, state-approved RN NJ programs that prepare students for licensure and explains the state's licensing guidelines.
New Jersey RN Licensing Requirements
In order to work as a New Jersey Registered Nurse, individuals who have never been licensed as a nurse or earned an accredited nursing degree must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete a state-approved RN NJ program
- Pass the NCLEX-RN national licensing examination
- Pass a criminal history background check
For those who currently hold an out-of-state license, New Jersey accepts applications for endorsement (which is the licensure transfer process). However, the state does not participate in the Nurse Licensure Compact – a group of states that have agreed to automatically grant out-of-state license transfers for those with licenses from member compact states.
For information on how to obtain an application for endorsement, contact the New Jersey Board of Nursing at 973-504-6430.
RN NJ Program Characteristics
While all NJ RN schools are allowed to craft their own unique curricular offerings, all state-approved programs are required to offer the following:
- At least two full academic years of learning
- A theory-based, academic component
- A clinical training component
For Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs, students learn several content areas, including:
- Social sciences
- Physical sciences
- Pharmacology
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Emergency procedures
- Pediatrics
- Gerontology
- Adult nursing practice
- Maternity nursing
In the clinical component of New Jersey RN programs, students work directly with patients of all ages in a medical facility. This training, which is supervised by a licensed nurse, both prepares students for the licensing examination and prepares them to become a New Jersey Registered Nurse.
Finding NJ RN Schools
The Board of Nursing approves dozens of RN NJ programs throughout the state, including ADN, BSN, and hospital diploma programs, all of which prepare students to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.
For a complete list of approved schools, reference the state's nursing information page, scroll down to the "schools" heading, and select a program category of interest.
Benefits of New Jersey RN Training
Students who graduate from a NJ RN program, and who pass the NCLEX-RN exam, are licensed to work as a New Jersey Registered Nurse.
With the state's aging population, RN jobs are anticipated to be in high demand for the next decade, making registered nursing training a sound investment.
For information on more New Jersey nursing schools and online options, see also:
The Best Nursing Programs Online
David Harris-Gershon - David Harris-Gershon – a blogger for Tikkun magazine and a freelance writer on Israel, the Middle East and America’s role in ...
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