Online LPN to BSN Programs in New Jersey: See Top NJ Schools
Online LPN to BSN programs in New Jersey offer a way to leverage your nursing experience for career advancement. If you aspire to become an RN in the state, let EduMed walk you through the details of LPN to BSN programs, from top schools and tuition rates to FAQs and salary expectations.
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PROGRAM: LPN to RN/BSN
We help thousands of LPNs/LVNs work towards achieving their Associate Degree in Nursing or RN. The Test-Out Bridge Program makes achieving your RN faster and affordable, and previous college credits will count toward your advanced degree.
Inside Online LPN to BSN Programs in New Jersey
Online LPN to BSN programs in New Jersey are designed with working nurses in mind, offering a flexible way to advance your education without putting your career on hold. Many schools use asynchronous online courses, allowing you to watch lectures, complete assignments, and study on your own schedule.
At the same time, these bridge programs are not fully virtual. To prepare you for the responsibilities of registered nursing, students must complete in-person clinical rotations and hands-on skills labs at approved healthcare facilities. This blended format ensures you gain both the academic knowledge and real-world experience needed for RN licensure and professional success.
When researching New Jersey LPN to BSN programs, start with these five critical areas:
- Asynchronous online coursework that fits around your work schedule
- Required clinical placements at local hospitals and healthcare centers
- On-campus or simulation labs to build practical nursing skills
- Structured NCLEX-RN preparation integrated into the curriculum
- Academic and career support services for bridge students
To see how these features come together in real programs, explore the spotlighted New Jersey schools highlighted below.
Berkeley College
Berkeley College offers an LPN to BSN Program that is designed to equip licensed practical nurses with knowledge and skills to perform advanced tasks. When they leave the program, they’re able to:
- Provide care to patients with a variety of illnesses and injuries
- Develop patient treatment plans
- Provide injections and medications
- Educate patients and their families on health issues
Graduates work in various healthcare settings, including nursing care facilities, home healthcare agencies, schools, and doctors’ offices. To help students develop these vital skills, Berkeley College has faculty members with a history of academic excellence and work experience who teach theoretical and clinical course content.
Duration: 28 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $920 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Completed an LPN program from an accredited school
- An unrestricted LPN license
- At least 2,080 hours of LPN work experience within two years of submitting an application
- Complete a nursing entrance examination
Curriculum: Specific classes cover health assessments across the lifespan, nursing leadership and management, and research for evidence-based practice. Also, coursework covers specific areas of nursing, including mental health, maternal-child, and community health nursing.
Ocean County College
Ocean County College’s RN Program teaches higher-level skills to those who have been licensed practical nurses for at least six months. Those who are patient care technicians, certified nurse assistants, emergency room technicians, and emergency medical technicians can also enroll.
This full-time program combines online and on-site learning, where students are expected to dedicate at least eight hours per day on their coursework. The online portion of the curriculum is partially self-directed, which allows students to work at their own pace. To supplement online learning, students spend one day per week on campus for in-person activities, including clinicals and labs, which take 12 hours.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $180 per credit in-state; $270 per credit out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- Complete general education requirements
- Participate in a criminal background check
- Pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam
Curriculum: Courses introduce students to registered nursing practice and prepare them to provide holistic patient care. Concepts covered include nursing across the lifespan, maternity and pediatric care, and illnesses that impact different systems of the body.
Thomas Edison State University
Thomas Edison State University offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program that practical and vocational nurses can enroll in to gain the additional knowledge and skills needed become a registered nurse. In fact, LPNs can leverage their education and work experience to reduce the amount of time they spend on their bachelor’s degree.
The school allows students to not only transfer credits from their previous program, but they can also get credit from a portfolio assessment of their work experience. Students learn how to use evidence-based nursing principles and clinical judgment to provide care to individuals, families, and communities from diverse backgrounds.
Duration: 15 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $365 per credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Submit transcript from college-level program
- At least a 3.0 grade point average
- Pass the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) exam
- Submit a personal statement explaining your work background and interest in nursing
- Meet with an academic advisor
Curriculum: Coursework covers the fundamentals of nursing, health assessment and promotion, and nursing care of complex health conditions. Also, students learn how to provide services to people in different patient populations.
Expert Insight
Medical care is becoming more and more in-depth across many health care settings due to the complex care needs of many patients today. LPNs need specialized training to provide complex care. LPN-to-BSN programs teach practical nurses how to navigate these challenges successfully.
FAQs About LPN to BSN Programs in NJ
Advancing your nursing education is a big step, so you may have a lot of questions about earning a bachelor’s degree. Below you will find responses to some of the most pressing questions about LPN to BSN programs in the state of New Jersey. Read on for information that can help you better understand these degrees.
What additional nursing skills will I gain in an LPN to BSN program in New Jersey?
By earning a bachelor’s degree, you learn advanced skills that make up an RN’s expanded scope of practice. These advanced duties include:
- Recording patient histories
- Evaluating patient symptoms and conditions
- Performing diagnostic tests and analyzing results
- Formulating nursing diagnoses
In addition, RNs must demonstrate the communication skills necessary to educate patients and their families about procedures, as well as provide information on how to prevent injuries and illnesses. RNs will also gain the leadership skills needed to supervise the work of LPNs. Along with higher pay and the added prestige of being a registered nurse comes a full range of new nursing duties above and beyond those of an LPN, elevating your skill set and opening up more job opportunities.
What should I look for in an LPN to BSN program in New Jersey?
First and foremost, you should look for a program that qualifies you to take the NCLEX-RN exam and for RN licensure eligibility in New Jersey, or any other jurisdiction you plan to practice. This means program recognition by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, and program accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), should be a top priority.
Another important quality to look out for in a program is a high NCLEX-RN exam pass rate. Also, you might consider a program that is close enough to make attending on-campus classes, labs, and clinical rotations practical. However, not all LPN to BSN programs in New Jersey will have all of these elements, so make your decision using a combination that suits your needs the best.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my LPN to BSN program in New Jersey?
Yes, many common types of financial aid are available to students in LPN to BSN programs in New Jersey, including:
- RN scholarships and grants
- Work-study programs
- Employer tuition reimbursement opportunities
- Benefits for veterans, active duty military, and qualifying family members
- Federal aid: scholarships, loan repayment programs, and student loans
Another major funding source is the State of New Jersey’s Higher Education Student Assistance Authority. Not all resources (especially federal programs) are available for all New Jersey LPN to BSN programs, however. The key to knowing what’s available is to speak with a financial aid officer at each of the schools you’re considering.
Will earning my LPN to BSN degree online or through a hybrid program impact my ability to get licensed?
No, completing your nursing bachelor’s degree from a hybrid program will have no impact on your ability to obtain an RN license. As long as you meet the standards of the New Jersey Board of Nursing, or the nursing board of any other state you intend to practice, you will be able to qualify for your license.
In other words, as long as you graduate from a school that has been approved by the state board, it doesn’t matter if the program delivered courses partially online. Also, your LPN to BSN program should qualify you for the NCLEX-RN exam, so it should be properly accredited by the CCNE or ACEN.
Will employers care if I took some of my LPN to BSN classes online?
Hiring standards may differ from one individual employer to the next, but many employers simply want to know that you earned your degree from a board-approved, accredited program. Furthermore, employers provide clinical opportunities for students enrolled in online and hybrid programs. This means these organizations not only support the schools they partner with, but they also help train those who may be part of their future workforce.
Expert Insight
I have assisted with interviews and I can tell you that I have never heard any mention of online coursework. Most questions were about how well the nurse was able to adapt to the clinical environment and keep patients safe. You learn most of this during your clinical rotations, which is required for both online and in-person nursing programs.
LPN vs. BSN Salary Career Path in New Jersey
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical nurses in New Jersey earned a median $66,620 in 2023. Registered nurses earned $101,960. Wages for New Jersey nurses are somewhat higher than the national averages. LPNs and LVNs earned $59,730 annually that year, while RNs made $86,070.
Earning a bachelor’s degree and working as a registered nurse is a great move to boost your job security. In New Jersey, both licensed practical nurses and registered nurses can expect job growth of 6.3 percent from 2022 to 2032. To put that in perspective, the nationwide growth for LPNs and RNs is 5.3 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively. These numbers translate into 5,030 annual openings for registered nurses across the state.
| New Jersey | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses |
| 10th Percentile | $57,940 |
| Median | $64,620 |
| 90th Percentile | $76,510 |
| New Jersey | |
| Occupation | Registered Nurses |
| 10th Percentile | $77,700 |
| Median | $100,160 |
| 90th Percentile | $127,750 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Registered Nurses |
| Curr. Jobs | 3,172,500 |
| Proj. Jobs | 3,349,900 |
| New Jobs | 177,400 |
| Growth % | 5.60% |
| Avg. Ann. Openings | 193,100 |
| United States | |
| Occupation | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses |
| Curr. Jobs | 655,000 |
| Proj. Jobs | 689,900 |
| New Jobs | 34,900 |
| Growth % | 5.30% |
| Avg. Ann. Openings | 54,400 |
| New Jersey | |
| Occupation | Registered Nurses |
| Curr. Jobs | 81,520 |
| Proj. Jobs | 86,640 |
| New Jobs | 5,120 |
| Growth % | 6.30% |
| Avg. Ann. Openings | 5,030 |
| New Jersey | |
| Occupation | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses |
| Curr. Jobs | 16,510 |
| Proj. Jobs | 17,550 |
| New Jobs | 1,040 |
| Growth % | 6.30% |
| Avg. Ann. Openings | 1,390 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
