Online NP Degree Programs in New Jersey: Guide to Top Schools

Identifying New Jersey’s NP Program Choices

As a nurse practitioner, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a competitive salary and gain access to higher-level positions in hospitals, medical facilities, schools and colleges, and research centers. The best online NP programs in New Jersey offer multiple specialty options, financial aid for NP students, and flexible study formats.

When deciding to become a nurse practitioner, there are a few different degree paths you can choose. Programs in New Jersey allow registered nurses (RNs) to earn a master’s degree or doctorate, with an extra deep dive into a chosen specialty, such as neonatal nursing or acute care.

Classes can be either 100% online or the more likely “hybrid” option, which mixes online learning with on-site or on-campus labs or clinicals. Below, we look at three different types of online NP degrees and what to expect from each one.

Student Support: FAQs About Online NP Programs in New Jersey

What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant (PA)?

There are several key differences between NPs and PAs, although RNs can acquire certification for either through an accredited school program. NPs concentrate more on patient treatment, especially in patient populations with diverse needs. PAs focus on medicine-related care and specific disciplines, such as dermatology or surgery.

Nurse practitioners also have more autonomy in patient care as part of a team, while PAs work with doctors under their specific guidance, with the exception of some tasks that don’t require direct oversight.

What does it mean for an online NP program to be accredited?

Basically, you should use the accreditation status of a program as a guide to its quality. Accreditation is a crucial component of online NP programs, as it confirms that the content meets standards set by professional and educational organizations. It also aligns with nursing standards that ensure graduates are competent to practice. Potential employers in the state will know that you’ve received a quality education from an accredited school and are best equipped to do your job.

What are some of the specialties for online NP programs?

Usually, NP programs include specialty tracks that focus on areas in patient care, such as family, adult-gerontology, mental health, neonatal care, women’s health, and acute care. Additionally, there are some specializations available in PhD programs, including nursing research and nursing education, while DNP programs may also include a track that involves executive leadership. When choosing a specialty, you should focus on an area of healthcare that interests you, as it can help you focus your career direction.

What kind of financial aid is available for my online NP program?

There are several sources of financial aid for almost any nurse practitioner program that’s online or hybrid. The three most common forms of financial assistance for NP students are scholarships, grants, and loans.

Scholarships and grants are given out by many groups, including private organizations, professional associations, community groups, and educational institutions. These make for excellent options for NP students looking to minimize their educational debt, since they don’t typically require repayment. However, if you are unable to find funding to fully cover your school expenses, student loans can also be a good option.

What is an accelerated nurse practitioner program?

An accelerated nurse practitioner program is a special NP program that can help you finish your studies faster. Some universities offer online accelerated NP programs for nursing professionals who have earned an associate or bachelor’s degree.

Students in these programs can earn a master’s degree or doctorate in nursing in a shorter amount of time than a typical NP program. This is accomplished through transfer credits, fewer general education requirements, and an aggressive learning timeline. Accelerated program graduates still need to be certified in New Jersey after they have earned the degree.

How to Earn Licensing and Certification as a Nurse Practitioner in New Jersey

Once you graduate from your master’s degree or doctoral program, you can apply to be a nurse practitioner through the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. There are requirements beyond graduation that you must meet, including a valid New Jersey RN license, proof of your degree, and a background check and fingerprinting session.

There’s another big step that needs to take place: you’ll need to pass a national NP certification test. New Jersey requires that you take an exam from either the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), which is for clinical practice roles, or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), with clinical management, research, and education factors added to its questions about care.

As for costs, the ANCC test is between $295 and $395, depending on your membership status. For the AANP exam, the cost is between $240 and $315, which also depends on group membership. State licensing costs $200, with an extra $40 to $70 dollars for the fingerprinting and background checking.

Lastly, you’ll need to think about renewal of your New Jersey NP license every two years. The state consumer affairs group also requires 30 continuing education credits.

Salary & Career Outlook for Nurse Practitioners in New Jersey

After completing your nurse practitioner education in New Jersey, it's time to begin your job search. It's natural to start this phase of your career journey wondering about your job prospects and the kind of salary you can expect. Nurse practitioners are in high demand and are expected to remain so, with job openings projected to grow by 44.5% nationally over the next decade. In New Jersey, that number is even higher, with a remarkable 50.7% job growth projected over the next ten years. Furthermore, if you look at the table below, you can see details about the salary you can expect as a New Jersey nurse practitioner. While this varies depending on location, experience, and specialization, and you can consult the table for more specifics, you can expect to earn a good living, with the median NP in NJ making $142,950 in 2023.

New Jersey’s Best-Ranked Online NP Programs

To help New Jersey students find the program that best suits their needs, these featured NP programs are ranked through metrics that help students reach their degree and career goals. These metrics include the number of online courses available, average tuition rates, average grant aid awarded to students, and the student-to-faculty ratio. The program statistics were voluntarily provided by schools to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). To learn more about our criteria for selecting these schools, you can review the “About the Ranking” section below.