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.
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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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 - Madison, NJ
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 school also offers an MSN program for students who are already RNs.
- Application Deadline: December 1st
- School Type: Private
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (201) 692-2880
- Email: scabassa@fdu.edu
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
2. Felician University - Parsippany, NJ
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.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- School Type: Private
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (844) 347-2497
- Email: Contact Form
3. Rutgers University - Newark, NJ
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).
- Application Deadline
- Summer: February 15th
- Spring: October 1st
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (973) 972-3067
- Email: newark@admissions.rutgers.edu
4. Seton Hall - South Orange, NJ
Like many other ABSN programs, Seton Hall University 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.
- Application Deadline
- Fall: May 1st
- Spring: September 1st
- School Type: Private
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (973) 542-6200
- Email: thehall@shu.edu
5. Thomas Edison State University - Newark, NJ
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.
- Total Tuition
- Resident: $58,500
- Nonresident: $75,000
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (609) 633-6460
- Email: nursing@tesu.edu
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 $94,480 or $45.42 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). RNs in New Jersey earn well above this average, bringing in $111,210 annually or $53.47 an hour.
Career Outlook
New Jersey has 184,360 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:
Popular Online RN-to-BSN Programs
Gain the skills and credentials to advance into nurse management and leadership roles, while laying the groundwork to pursue future nurse practitioner or advanced practice roles. Complete your courses online, on your schedule, at Purdue Global’s School of Nursing.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, but certain programs have state restrictions. Check with Purdue for details.
WGU's award-winning online programs are created to help you succeed while graduating faster and with less debt. WGU is a CCNE accredited, nonprofit university offering nursing bachelor's and master's degrees.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
The University of Texas at Arlington’s online programs are designed to help you achieve more in your nursing practice with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. They offer convenient, flexible options for completing your RN to BSN online, designed to fit into your busy schedule.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
GCU’s RN-BSN program is tailored to meet the needs of the RN adult learner and to maximize the strengths that the working RN already possesses. Transfer up to 90 credits and earn a BSN in as little as 12 months. GCU’s online classes allow you to study at the times that work for your schedule while still enjoying a close connection with your classmates and instructor via online discussions.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
As a pioneer in distance learning since 1985, Liberty University’s online nursing programs are designed to prepare practicing nurses to serve with integrity by teaching advanced skills from an ethical perspective. Liberty's programs are based on industry best practices and up-to-date research – so you can get the tools you need to stay on the cutting edge of nursing care and innovation.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
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 184,360 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 $111,210.
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