Top Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs in New Jersey
If you’re an aspiring nurse in New Jersey who already has a bachelor's degree, then an accelerated BSN might be the right path for you. This guide to ABSN programs in New Jersey lays out all your program options in the Garden State.
How to Earn an ABSN in New Jersey
To earn your accelerated BSN in New Jersey, ABSN students generally need to hold a non-nursing bachelor’s degree and meet the minimum prerequisite courses to apply for an ABSN. Students who have completed an ABSN program are eligible to sit for the NCLEX exam following graduation.
New Jersey ABSN Programs
There are five accredited ABSN programs in New Jersey. Some schools offer both traditional BSN programs and ABSN, while others specialize in different pathways. Always check the school you are applying to to ensure it is properly accredited.
New Jersey can be an ideal state to take an ABSN program because there are many different program options, and according to the New Jersey Hospital Association, New Jersey has one of the highest percentages of medical teaching hospitals in the country,
1. Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Location: Madison, New Jersey
- Program Cost: $78,582
- Program Length: 15 months
- School Type: Private
- Online Options Available? Online and In-person
Students in the ABSN program at Fairleigh Dickinson University will need a total of 120 credits to be awarded their BSN. However, 45 of those credits will come from their prior bachelor’s degree, and 19 will come from completing prerequisite courses. Once in the program, students will only need 56 credits of coursework in the actual ABSN program.
The program begins in the summer, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The school also offers an MSN program for students who are already RNs.
2. Felician University
- Location: Parsippany, New Jersey
- Program Cost: $855 per credit hour, $62,415 total tuition
- Program Length: 16 months
- School Type: Private
- Online Options Available? Online and In-person
Felician University’s ABSN program not only accepts students with a bachelor's degree — they also accept students who have at least 60 credits in college as part of a degree program. This means that you can still apply if you have never finished your degree but have at least 60 credits completed.
There are two program options: a 16-month hybrid ABSN program or an 18-month “on-ground” program.
3. Rutgers University
- Location: Newark, New Jersey
- Program Cost: $33,000
- Program Length: 14 months
- School Type: Public
- Online Options Available? In-person
Rutgers’ ABSN program is 14 months long and requires applicants to have a bachelor’s in a non-nursing subject and a minimum 3.3 GPA. Rutgers also offers 9 prerequisite courses online or accepts from other college schools (and you can have classes from more than one school).
There are two admission deadlines for Rutgers’ ABSN program: Feb.15 for summer admission and Oct. 1 for spring admission.
4. Seton Hall University*
- Location: South Orange, New Jersey
- Program Cost: $23,190 per semester, or $92,760 total
- Program Length: 14 months
- School Type: Private
- Online Options Available? In-person
Like many of the other ABSN programs, Seton Hall University’s is a 14-month program over four semesters. Students will complete 62 credits over the course of the program. There are two different start times: one in the fall at the Freehold, NJ location and one in the spring at the Nutley, NJ Interprofessional Health Science Campus.
5. Thomas Edison State University
- Location: Newark, New Jersey
- Program Cost: $675 per credit hour, or $40,500 total
- Program Length: 15 months
- School Type: Public
- Online Options Available? Online and In-person
Thomas Edison State University’s program is a little longer than the other schools we listed at 15 months long, but the school states that graduates consistently have higher-than-average NCLEX-RN pass rates, so the extra time may pay off in the end.
The program is hybrid, with some online courses, on-campus labwork, and clinicals on-site in several different New Jersey locations. If you decide to continue your education, students can apply up to 9 credits towards their MSN degree at the university.
What to Expect in an ABSN Program in New Jersey
Like other ABSN programs in the country, the programs in New Jersey are competitive and fast-paced. They are usually completed in 12-15 months, so students must complete their degrees on a full-time schedule without taking time off.
New Jersey ABSN Tuition
Tuition for ABSN programs in New Jersey costs between $33,000 and $93,000. Your tuition will vary depending on the program’s location, public vs. private school status, and in-person vs. online attendance.
Admission Requirements
Each university has its own specific admissions standards. However, every ABSN program in New Jersey requires a non-nursing bachelor's degree.
Common admission requirements for accelerated nursing programs in New Jersey include:
- Non-nursing bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Prerequisites (e.g., Statistics or Anatomy & Physiology)
- Personal statement
- TEAS examination
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Transcripts
- Application fee
- Admissions interview
- Resume/CV
How Hard Are New Jersey ABSN Programs?
New Jersey boasts some of the top ABSN programs nationwide. Admission to these schools is incredibly competitive, and the curriculums are challenging.
Despite the challenges, earning an ABSN in New Jersey has its perks. With higher-than-average wages, several teaching hospitals, and a shortage of nurses in the Garden State, New Jersey is a good state to earn your ABSN.
Attending a New Jersey ABSN program allows you to complete clinicals at local hospitals, network, and more easily find employment after graduation.
How Long is an Accelerated BSN Program in New Jersey?
Accelerated BSN programs in New Jersey typically take 12 to 16 months to complete. These programs have a set progression plan that students must follow to graduate.
What to Expect Working as a Nurse in New Jersey
BSN Salary in New Jersey
The mean annual RN salary nationwide is $89,010 or $42.80 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). RNs in New Jersey earn well above this average, bringing in $104,860 annually or $50.41 an hour.
Career Outlook
New Jersey has 182,710 registered nurses. The BLS reports that all RN jobs will grow by 6% from 2022 to 2023, faster than the average for all other occupations.
BSN Jobs in New Jersey
Nurses can work in a large variety of facilities depending on their interests. The largest and most common employer of nurses is hospitals. Other possible job locations include:
- Ambulatory healthcare services
- Government agencies
- Academia
- Medical and aesthetic spas
- Outpatient clinics
- Long-term care facilities
- Private practice
- Surgery centers
- Urgent care centers
- Retirement facilities
- Mental health facilities
Next Steps
With a non-nursing bachelor's degree, you can achieve your dream nursing career with a timely and affordable ABSN program in New Jersey. These degrees allow qualified non-nurses to enter the workforce in 12-15 months at a fraction of the cost of traditional BSNs.
Accelerated nursing programs in New Jersey offer in-person and hybrid options, multiple start dates, and hands-on practice in clinical settings. If you're ready to become a nurse in the Garden State, these programs may be exactly what you need.
For more information on earning an ABSN, check out these resources:
FAQs
- How many ABSN programs are in New Jersey?
- There are currently five accredited ABSN programs in New Jersey.
- How much do ABSN programs in New Jersey cost?
- ABSN programs range in price from roughly $33,000 to over $93,000, depending on the program.
- How long are ABSN programs in New Jersey?
- ABSN programs range from 12-15 months in New Jersey.
- How many nurses are in New Jersey?
- Currently, there are 182,710 RNs employed in New Jersey.
- How much do nurses in New Jersey make?
- New Jersey CRNA salaries exceed the national average, with an annual mean income of $ 104,860.
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