Online NP Programs in New Jersey: Guide to Top Schools
Online nurse practitioner (NP) programs offer nurses a convenient way to advance their careers and expand their clinical expertise. This guide highlights top online and hybrid NP programs in New Jersey, along with key details to help you choose the right school and prepare for success. You’ll also find insights on job outlook, earning potential, and licensure requirements to support your transition into advanced practice nursing.
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NursingNursing Ed.Profiling New Jersey NP Programs
As a nurse practitioner, you’ll have the opportunity to earn a competitive salary and gain access to higher-level positions in hospitals, healthcare 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.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
An MSN program typically takes two to three years to complete, although this varies depending on program structure, study schedules, and if you attend as a part-time or full-time student. Some schools offer RN-to-MSN bridge programs or direct-entry programs, which shorten the time it takes to graduate. MSN coursework covers advanced nursing practice, healthcare policy, and research.
Admissions requirements:
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Current RN license
- Recent clinical experience
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
The College of New Jersey
- Duration: Two to three years
- Mode: Hybrid
- Cost: $1,293 per credit hour
Post-Master’s Certificate
A post-master’s NP certificate program is for nurses who have earned a graduate degree and want to be certified in a specialized area of advanced practice nursing, with a national NP specialty exam as the usual next step. Certificate programs usually take one to two years to complete.
Admission requirements:
- MSN or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Current RN nursing license
- Recommendation letters
- Statement of purpose
- Clinical experience may be required
Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Duration: Six months to one year
- Mode: Online
- Cost: $1,235/credit hour
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
A DNP is an advanced degree that prepares nurses for healthcare leadership roles and teaches them to perform evidence-based practice and specialized care. DNP programs typically take three to four years to complete. However, there are BSN-to-DNP and MSN-to-DNP online bridge programs for students who want a more accelerated timeline for obtaining their doctorate.
Admission requirements:
- BSN or MSN
- Active RN license
- Recommendation letters
- Statement of purpose
- Recent clinical experience
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
Stockton University
- Duration: Two to three years
- Mode: Hybrid
- Cost: $1,030 per credit hour
Expert Insight
In recent years, there has been some discussion about the “DNP” becoming the minimum required degree to become a nurse practitioner in the future, but nothing is set in stone right now. This is something to consider when choosing your degree program.
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FAQs About Online NP Programs in New Jersey
What is the difference between a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant (PA)?
Key differences between NPs and PAs are scope of practice and practice autonomy. An NP’s scope of practice encompasses patient treatment, especially in patient populations with diverse needs. PAs focus on medicine-related care and specific disciplines, such as dermatology or surgery.
Further, nurse practitioners can practice independently as primary care providers in some states while PAs must be supervised by a physician.
What does it mean for an online NP program to be accredited?
Accredited NP programs have been given a stamp of approval by professional organizations that ensure the program meets high standards of quality education. Accreditation aligns with nursing standards that ensure graduates are well-prepared for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) nursing exam and competent to practice after graduation.
Your online NP program in New Jersey should be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).
What are some of the specialties for online NP programs?
Online NP program specialties may include:
- Family Health
- Adult-Gerontology
- Neonatal Care
- Pediatrics
- Women’s Health
- Psychiatric / Mental Health
- Acute Care
When choosing a specialty, you should focus on an area of healthcare that interests you, as it can help you focus your career direction.
Expert Insight
Here’s another thing to consider before choosing a nurse practitioner specialty. Unlike RNs, who can switch their specialty anytime they want without needing to go back to school, NPs do not have this luxury. If you start your career as a pediatric NP, you cannot switch to adult-gerontology or psychiatric/mental health without returning to school for a new certification.
What kind of financial aid is available for my online NP program?
The three most common forms of financial assistance for online NP students are scholarships, grants, and loans. Scholarships and grants are funded 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.
If you’re unable to find funding to fully cover your school expenses, consider student loans or employee tuition repayment programs.
What is an accelerated nurse practitioner program?
An accelerated nurse practitioner program is a special NP program that permits multiple classes at one time so you can 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 accelerated NP programs can earn a master’s degree or doctorate in nursing in a shorter amount of time than those enrolled in a traditional 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.
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 / Board of Nursing. Application requirements include:
- A valid New Jersey RN license
- Proof of degree
- Background check with fingerprinting
After applying, 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.
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
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | $97,960 | $129,210 | $169,950 |
| New Jersey | $65,130 | $149,620 | $173,320 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $67,610 | $137,870 | $163,670 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $117,520 | $142,200 | $170,560 |
| Vineland, NJ | $96,490 | $135,640 | $169,780 |
Source: Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2024, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 266,300 | 384,900 | 118,600 | 44.50% | 26,300 |
| New Jersey | 6,790 | 10,230 | 3,440 | 50.70% | 720 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
New Jersey’s Top-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.
