Online ABSN Programs in New Jersey: Top Picks and Details
Looking to fast-track your BSN in New Jersey? If you have prior college credits or nursing education, an online Accelerated BSN (ABSN) could help you earn your degree faster while offering flexibility and potential cost savings. This guide from EduMed will walk you through online and hybrid ABSN programs in New Jersey so you can find your right school.
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Program Profiles: Popular ABSN Programs in New Jersey
Earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing has many benefits, including the option to fast-track your career through online, accelerated bachelor of science in nursing (ABSN) programs. Many of these programs are hybrid in format, meaning:
- Courses are part online and part on-campus
- Online course components include virtual lessons and/or group discussions
- Clinical rotations are completed in-person at a local healthcare facility
As you research opportunities to earn your online ABSN in New Jersey, you’ll have many things to consider, including costs and financial aid opportunities, class structure, elective offerings, and more.
Below, we’ve profiled three popular, high quality online ABSN programs in the state to help you get started in your research and provide an idea of what to expect from your program.
Fairleigh Dickinson University
The accelerated BSN at Fairleigh Dickinson University is intended for career changers, with a curriculum designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field.
Features:
- 120 credit programs, with 45 credits of general education requirements satisfied by your prior degree
- Outstanding prerequisite classes can be taken at Fairleigh Dickinson prior to program enrollment
- Financial aid opportunities may be available
Duration: 15 Months
Mode: Online & Hybrid
Cost: $35,944/year
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Completion of prerequisite courses
Curriculum:
- Foundations of Nursing I
- Comprehensive Health Assessment
- Pharmacotherapeutics
- Pathophysiology
- Foundations of Nursing II
- Nursing Management of Adults I
- Nursing Management of Women/NB & Families
- Nursing Management of Children & Families
- Nursing Management of Psychosocial Problems
- Social Determinants of Health
- Information Systems and Applications in Healthcare
- Utilization of Healthcare Research
- Nursing Management of Adults II
- Prep for Success
Thomas Edison State University
Thomas Edison State University, which specializes in distance and hybrid learning, offers a hybrid accelerated BSN program. Designed for students who have completed a minimum 60 credits of college coursework, the program teaches fundamental skills needed in your nursing career.
Features:
- Many classes offered online
- In-person clinical rotations completed at affiliated healthcare sites
- On-campus labs in the school’s simulation center
- Financial aid opportunities available to students who qualify
Duration: 8 Terms
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $500/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- Official transcripts
- TEAS scores
- Mandatory advising appointment
- Personal statement
Curriculum:
- Fundamentals of Nursing
- Health Assessment/Health Promotion
- Introduction to Critical Thinking in Nursing
- Applying the Nursing Process to Alterations in Health
- Advancing Nursing Practice
- Nursing Care of Clients with Alterations in Behavioral Health
- Nursing Care of Clients with Acute and Chronic Conditions
- Exploring Evidence-Based Practice and Research in Nursing
- Women’s Health Across the Lifespan
- Nursing Care of Infants, Children and Adolescents
- Public Health Nursing
- U.S. Health Policy and Global Health
- Leadership and Management in Nursing
- Nursing Care in the Community
- Nursing Informatics: Concepts and Issues
- Nursing Care of Clients with Complex Health Conditions
- Financial Management in Nursing Practice
- Validating Nursing Competence
- Transition to Professional Practice
The College of New Jersey
The highly regarded, accelerated BSN program at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) is a hybrid, blended program which combines online and in-person learning to help you earn your BSN in a little over one year.
Features:
- State-of-the-art simulation labs
- In-person clinical experiences to gain real-world nursing skills
- 97% first-time NCLEX pass rate
- 100% employment rate six months after graduation
Duration: 14 Months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $34,000
Admissions Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Completion of prerequisite courses
- CPR certification
- Drug and criminal background check
- Proof of vaccination
Curriculum:
- Pharmacology
- Professional Role I (Learner)
- Wellness Promotion
- Holistic Health Assessment
- Holistic Interventions Throughout the Lifespan
- Caring in Childbearing Family: Science
- Professional Role II (Clinician)
- Caring in Child Health/or Psych
- Caring in Adult/Elder Health I: Science
- Psychosocial Health/or Peds
- Nursing Research
- Caring in Community Health: Science
- Professional Role Development III/Capstone Seminar
FAQs About Online ABSN Programs in NJ
How long is an accelerated nursing BSN program in New Jersey?
Most programs take 14 to 16 months of full-time, consecutive study. Accelerated programs move faster than a typical college experience, which means a lot of information and skills packed into a few semesters. Also, many core courses are often already covered in the first bachelor’s degree earned.
Some schools, like Fairleigh Dickinson University, offer an even shorter timeline where students can graduate in 12 months.
How many of my current bachelor’s degree credits can be transferred to my New Jersey accelerated BSN program?
Some schools allow you transfer up to 60 credits from your prior degree, but this number can vary.
The majority of your general education courses will likely transfer to your accelerated nursing program. Then, you’ll only need to complete the nursing curriculum and certain other prerequisites like human anatomy and physiology.
If you took prerequisites within a certain amount of time before admission—such as within five years for Seton Hall University’s program—they might transfer as well.
How much do accelerated BSN nursing programs in New Jersey cost?
Accelerated BSN nursing programs in New Jersey vary widely in price depending upon the school. In general, private schools cost more than public schools and you can expect to pay less as an in-state student than you would as an out-of-state student.
Remember, though, that the cost listed as the official tuition rate may not be representative of your total cost burden.
Many schools offer financial aid based on demonstrated need and/or academic merit, and if you qualify, apply for any privately funded scholarships you find.
Expert Insight
Though nursing school can be expensive, the investment is worth it in the end. Nursing is a high-earning career that will be in demand for a while. Take advantage of national, state, and private scholarships. There’s really no limit on the number you can apply for, as long as you’re eligible. You can potentially fund your entire program!
What are the admissions requirements for accelerated nursing programs in New Jersey?
Aspiring BSN students in New Jersey who already hold a bachelor’s degree will see some of the same requirements as with their first degree. Admissions for an accelerated nursing program in New Jersey typically include a(n):
- Official transcript showing completion of a bachelor’s degree
- Minimum GPA (usually a 3.0)
- Completed application
- Personal essay or letter of intent
- Resume or CV
In more competitive programs, an interview might also be required so faculty can learn if a candidate is dedicated to this new career path and able to manage the rigors of an accelerated course load.
How do I know if an accelerated New Jersey BSN program is of high quality?
Finding a high-quality accelerated BSN program means ensuring that your program has received accreditation from the ACEN or CCNE and has been approved by the New Jersey State Board of Nursing.
Look for programs that prepare you to sit for the NCLEX-RN and receive licensure as an RN in the state of New Jersey.
You can also talk to program alumni to get a feel for what former students thought of the quality of the program. Finally, many programs offer information sessions before you apply, and these can help give you a better sense of what to expect from the program.
Why Career Changers in New Jersey Choose Nursing
If you’re looking for a second career, there are plenty of good reasons many in New Jersey are choosing nursing:
- Demand: Per the BLS, several cities in New Jersey, including Newark, Camden, and Jersey City, have some of the largest capacities for nursing jobs in the country
- Salary potential: Registered nurses often make close to six figures or more
- Skillset: Your academic experience (and the skills you’ve gained) help make you a better nurse
- Fulfillment: The field has many advantages like improving patients’ lives on a daily basis
