The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic confirmed the vital role of registered on the healthcare team. Rather than avoid the profession altogether, the spotlight on the role of nurses in helping those who care vulnerable, caused many to change their career paths to respond to the call to nursing. Nursing has been one of the most in-demand jobs for the last decade. Apart from the positive job outlook, you will have a rewarding career caring for others, opportunities for job growth, option to work in diverse healthcare settings, and a high-income earning potential. The associate degree in nursing program will prepare you for work in an industry that is growing by leaps and bounds.
Eastern International College
The Nursing Associate Degree program at Eastern International College prepares students form practice as a professional nurse in physicians’ offices, rehabilitation settings, long-term care facilities, medical centers, hospitals, and ambulatory and community centers. The curriculum covers applied science and general education components. Applied science coursework in delivered in the classroom, lab, and clinical externship sites where students will apply the skills learned in the classroom. General education courses will include English, math, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, general psychology, and nutrition. Faculty will emphasize the development of academic and interpersonal skills throughout the program. The program is approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing so graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 70
Duration: 24 months
Course titles:
General education courses – Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, English Composition I, English Composition II, College Math, Developmental Psychology, Microbiology
Core Courses – Introduction to Nursing, Fundamentals of Nursing, Health Assessment, Pharmacology I, Pharmacology II, Adult Health I, Adult Health II, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, Obstetrical Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Concept Synthesis Capstone, Senior Clinical Practicum
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years old at the start of the program
- Must be a high school graduate or equivalent – present a copy of the high school diploma or transcript or request to have the transcript sent directly to EIC
- Apply for admission to the college before applying to the nursing program
- Take and pass the HESI test with a minimum score of 75. Candidates who score less than 80 on the HESI Math must take and pass Elementary Algebra
- Submit a personal statement addressing an essay question designated by the Program Chair
- Submit proof of citizenship/legal status
- Complete a Castle Branch certified background check to verify negative criminal background check
- Pass a urine drug screen
- Attend a personal interview with the Nursing Admissions Committee
- Must have a physical exam and health clearance completed by a licensed physician. A form signed by a healthcare provider indicating health clearance status must be submitted
- Provide current immunization records
- Must provide proof of health insurance
- Must have CPR healthcare provider course certification (American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider)
Program Cost:
Full-time tuition costs $7,550 per semester for 12 to 18 semester credits. Other costs include lab usage, supplies fees, textbooks, uniforms, background check, and drug screen.
Website: https://www.eicollege.edu/
Address: 684 Newark Avenue Jersey City, NJ 07306
Phone: 201-273-7208
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 53.57%
Eastwick Education
The Nursing Associate Degree program at Eastwick Education is designed to prepare licensed practical nurses for a role as a professional nurse. Candidates seeking admission to the bridge program must complete the Licensed Practical Nursing program and have New Jersey licensure as a practical nurse. The license must remain active throughout the program and there must be no NJ Board of Nursing actions through completion of the program. Completing the LPN program and obtaining NJ licensure is no guarantee of admission to the AAS program. Accepted students will receive credit for previous coursework and will complete the requirements for the AAS in Nursing in 18 months. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.
Program Outline
Quarter credits: 95
Duration: 18 months
Course titles:
General education courses –English Composition I, College Math, Microbiology
Core Courses – Review of Principles of Medication Administration & Dosage Calculation, Nursing Review of Pathophysiology, Foundations of Communication, Concepts of Nursing I, Normal and Therapeutic Nutrition, Concepts of Nursing II, Concepts of Healthcare Management, Concepts of Nursing III, Complex Health Concepts, NCLEX-RN Preparation, Development Psychology, Cultural Diversity
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years old at the start of the program
- Apply for admission to the college before applying to the nursing program
- Attend an interview with an admission representative
- Must submit proof of high school completion or GED equivalency
- Must take the ACCUPLACER exam
- Must have graduated from the LPN program with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or greater
- Must have pass the NLCEX-PN exam and have a valid unencumbered LPN license
- Complete a placement exam on nursing fundamentals provided by EC Department of Nursing
- Attend the RN Student Orientation Seminar
- Complete a Castle Branch certified background check to verify negative criminal background check
- Pass a urine drug screen
- Provide current immunization records
- Must provide proof of health insurance
- Must have CPR healthcare provider course certification (American Heart Association BLS Healthcare Provider)
Program Cost:
The program cost of $36,232 includes tuition, books, supplies, application fee, and registration fee.
Website: https://eastwick.edu/
Address: 250 Moore Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: 201-379-1884
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 30.77%
St. Francis Medical Center
The Associate Degree in Nursing at St Francis Medical Center provides education and direction for students who plan to deliver comprehensive nursing care as a registered nurse. The program is delivered in collaboration with Mercer County Community College where St Francis will provide students with a Diploma in nursing and the Associate in Science Degree will be delivered by Mercer County Community College. The progressive curriculum covers 40 credits of professional nursing courses and 30 general education credits. There are three pathways for entry and completion – the extended program which takes three years to complete; the generic track which is a two-year full-time program; and the LPN to RN track for LPNs to complete the requirements for the degree in 10 months. Clinical rotations will be conducted at St. Francis Medical Center and may be scheduled during the evening or weekend. All clinical classes are conducted by St Francis instructors. Graduates will be eligible to take the licensing exam to become a registered nurse.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 70
Duration: 2 years full-time or 3 years extended
Course titles:
General education courses – Anatomy & Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, English Composition I, English Composition II, Math Elective, Introductory Psychology, Microbiology, Developmental Psychology Across the Life Span
Core Courses – Concepts of Nursing I, Physical Assessment, Concepts of Nursing II, Pharmacology in Nursing, Concepts of Nursing III, Concepts of Nursing IV, Concepts of Nursing V, Moral Choices or Ethics
Admission criteria:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Submit a completed application form and non-refundable application fee of $50
- Submit three professional references
- Provide two official high school transcripts and three official college transcripts from each college attended
- Must have completed high school chemistry with a minimum grade C
- Take and pass the TEAS
- Obtain satisfactory performance on the New Jersey College Placement Test
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
- Attend a personal interview initiated by the Admissions Committee
- Complete a health history, physical exam and immunization records
- Provide proof of completing the American Heart Association Basic Cardiac Life Support course for Health Care Providers (HCP)
- Provide documentation of professional liability insurance
- Provide documentation of medical insurance coverage
Program Cost:
The total program cost of $26,203.15 includes tuition, fees, and lab kit. Other costs include uniforms, equipment, books, criminal background check, entrance test, and liability insurance.
Website: https://www.stfrancismedical.org/
Address: 601 Hamilton Ave, Trenton, NJ 08629
Phone: 201-273-7208
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 0.00%
Essex County College
Essex County College prepares adults for practice in a service-oriented profession where they will care for others. Students will participate in classroom discussions and develop nursing skills in the state-of-the-art simulation lab. The clinical rotations are an essential part of the program designed to give students the opportunity to provide direct patient care under the guidance of experienced faculty. The rotations will be conducted at local health care facilities and may be scheduled during evenings and weekends. Program graduates will receive the Associate in Applied Science Degree in Nursing and will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to qualify for licensure. Admission to the program is competitive.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 66
Duration: 24 months
Course titles:
Prerequisite Courses – Anatomy and Physiology, College Chemistry, College Composition, General Psychology
Core Courses – Anatomy and Physiology II, College Chemistry, Nursing I, Nursing II, Pharmacology, Introduction to Sociology, Nursing III, Microbiology, Nursing IV, Nursing Seminar (Nursing V), Historical Perspective requirement
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Submit acceptable college-level placement test scores for math – place in MTH 100
- Complete the prerequisite courses by December 31 in the year before admission. The courses must be completed with a grade C or better – College Composition, Anatomy and Physiology, College Chemistry, Introduction to Psychology
- Have a GPA of 2.5 or better on the prerequisite courses
- Attend a mandatory orientation
- Complete at least 9 credit hours at Essex County College with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Complete the ATI Test of Essential Academic Skills when the nursing department grants approval to test – must obtain a score of 60% or higher
- Complete a satisfactory criminal background check
- Obtain a negative drug test
- Obtain health clearance in accordance with the department policy
- Have valid CPR certification
Program Cost:
Tuition and fees cost $258 per credit hour for in-district students. Each nursing course will incur a special program fee of $1,250 per semester. Students must cover the admission costs of $2,000 for the ATI TEAS, criminal background check, CPR certification, health clearance requirements, textbooks, uniforms, and drug testing.
Website: https://www.essex.edu/
Address: 303 University Ave, Newark, NJ 07102
Phone: 973-877-3000
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 60.00%
Hudson County Community College
Hudson County Community College Associate of Science in Nursing program has a theoretical component that includes general education and science courses followed by nursing theory and practical course work that gives students the confidence to succeed on the NCLEX and practice as a registered nurse. The college offers outstanding faculty with multiple years of experience, skills practice in a state-of-the-art lab, three scheduling options, a history of success on the licensure exam, and articulations with local BSN and upper division nursing programs. The program is accredited by the ACEN and approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. Day, evening and weekend schedules are available. Licensed practical nurses may apply for admission through the New Jersey LPN to RN articulation model.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 71
Duration: 24 months
Course titles:
General education courses – Algebra/Intro to Statistics, Anatomy and Physiology I, Intro to Computer, College Student Success, English Composition I, English Composition II, Humanities/Diversity, Microbiology, Psychology, Life Span Dev., Speech
Core Courses – Anatomy and Physiology II, Nursing I, Nursing II, Nursing III, Nursing IV, Nursing Leadership
Admission criteria:
- Have a high school diploma or GED – high school transcript required
- Must have completed high school chemistry or college chemistry course – within the last 5 years
- Submit SAT score of at least 480 Math and 480 Verbal (Reading) or achieve a satisfactory score on the NLN Pre-Nursing Exam – RN (at least 45% on RN percentile rank on all sections: verbal, math, science)
- Complete a personal interview with an Admissions Representative
- Submit official college transcripts indicating an overall GPA of 2.5 or above
- Provide two letters of Reference
- Submit a completed application to the nursing program
- Provide proof of legal immigrant status or US citizenship
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen
- Must have current CPR Healthcare Provider BLS
- Must carry malpractice insurance and medical health insurance
- Submit complete medical records and immunizations
Program Cost:
The total for tuition and fees is $34,093.50. Additional costs include student nursing uniforms, criminal background check, drug screening, malpractice insurance, immunitrax system, CPR certification, and health insurance.
Website: https://www.hccc.edu/
Address: 70 Sip Avenue, Jersey City, New Jersey 07306
Phone: 201-714-7100
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 50.00%
Bergen Community College
The Bergen Community College Nursing Program prepares adults for entry-level positions as a registered nurse. Students must be prepared to partner with faculty in the learning process which will include training in the classroom, lab, and clinical sites. Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) and the Human Child and Adult Patient Simulators are some technological applications used to enhance learning and encourage the mastery of skills and critical thinking. Graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for licensure as a Registered Nurse. They will practice within the legal and ethical framework of nursing, use knowledge of developmental, biological, cultural, and spiritual factors in the provision of care, assume accountability in practice, commit to personal, professional, and educational development, and communicate effectively with individuals and members of the health care team.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 66
Duration: 2 academic years
Course titles:
General education courses – English Composition I, English Composition II, Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, Sociology, Humanities Elective, General Psychology
Courses – Microbiology, Developmental Psychology: Lifespan, Physical Assessment, Pharmacology for Nurses, Basic Concepts and Skills of Nursing, Anatomy and Physiology II, Adult Health Nursing A, Adult Health Nursing B, Adult Health Nursing C, Adult Health Nursing D, Maternal Child Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older at the start of the program
- Attend a Health Professions Information Session
- Complete and submit an application for admission online
- Complete remedial and prerequisite courses before the application deadline
- Submit official high school transcript, college, and any other transcript in a sealed envelope directly from the institution to the Office of Admissions
- Register to take the entrance exam – information will be given to candidates
- Attend a three-day nursing orientation prior to the start of the first semester
- Must carry personal health insurance and professional liability insurance
- Must be certified in CPR by the American Heart Association (Healthcare Provider with AED)
- Complete health examination forms and meet the requirements for the yearly Mantoux skin test for tuberculosis
- Must undergo a Criminal History Background Check (CHBC) and drug screen
Program Cost:
The cost of tuition and fees for nursing courses is $9,188.50. General education courses cost $5,521. Costs for books, supplies, lab fees, uniforms, malpractice insurance, CPR, and criminal background check are not included.
Website: https://bergen.edu/
Address: 400 Paramus Road Paramus, NJ 07652
Phone: 201-447-7100
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 80.43%
Mercer County Community College
The Associate Degree Nursing program at Mercer Community College combines nursing and general education courses with clinical experiences in local healthcare facilities. Students enrolled in the program will receive high-quality nursing education that will enable them to provide patient-centered care in the diverse health care community. Experienced faculty will emphasize teamwork and collaboration, the use of information technology, leadership, quality improvement, clinical reasoning, and safety. Program outcomes include the management of information, collaboration with members of the healthcare team, clinical reasoning when making patient care decisions, and legal and ethical principles in practice. Graduates will be eligible to apply to take the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. Both daytime and evening/weekend schedules are available. Advanced placement is available for licensed practical nurses.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 65-66
Duration: 24 months
Course titles:
General education courses – Anatomy and Physiology, General and Physiological Chemistry, English Composition I, Elementary Statistics
Core Courses – Anatomy and Physiology II, English Composition II, Clinical Reasoning in Nursing Practice, Concepts of Nursing Practice I, Microbiology, Concepts of Nursing Practice, Introduction to Psychology, Concepts of Nursing Practice III, Development Psychology: Across the Life Span or Introduction to Sociology, Concepts of Nursing Practice IV, General Elective
Admission criteria:
- Be 18 years or older at the start of the program
- Have a high school diploma or GED – high school transcript required
- Obtain a satisfactory score on the college placement test
- Complete the required academic foundational courses
- A cumulative minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher
- A score of 80% or higher in the English Language Composite and 80% or higher on the math component of the HESI Admission Assessment Exam
- Complete the first semester courses with a grade C or higher
Program Cost:
Tuition for in-county students is $3,222 per semester. Expenses for uniforms, textbooks, criminal background check, drug screening, malpractice insurance, immunization, CPR certification, and health insurance are additional.
Website: https://www.mccc.edu/index.shtml
Address: 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, NJ 08550
Phone: 609-586-4800
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 89.47%