Your Guide to the Best Online RN to BSN Programs in NJ

Unpacking Online RN to BSN Programs in New Jersey

All online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey offer current registered nurses the opportunity to obtain their bachelor’s degree and advance their nursing careers through the convenience of online study. However, each program does so in its own way through differences in academic emphasis and course subject matter, and variations in content deliver formats and methods. Therefore, it’s important that you fully review all aspects of any program you’re considering before you enroll.

With that said, there are a number of program elements common to New Jersey online RN to BSN programs. For example, most feature fully-online didactic coursework delivered primarily in an asynchronous format that allows students to access and complete course requirements at any time. Some synchronous class requirements, however, may be included. Also, some programs include in-person clinical practice experiences and/or short-term on-campus components (residencies, seminars, etc.). Others can be completed 100% online with no in-person requirements of any kind.

Here are spotlights of three current online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey to give you a better idea of how individual programs work:

Key Questions for Prospective RN to BSN Online Students

The spotlights above provide a good look at what those individual programs are all about. But if you’re like most other registered nurses, you still have plenty of questions about New Jersey RN to BSN programs in general. The following five FAQs will help you in answering some of those questions.

How much do online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey cost?

As indicated by the figures quoted in the program spotlights above and three programs listed below, the costs of online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey vary, sometimes substantially, from program to program. In general, however, most New Jersey RN to BSN students can expect total program costs in the neighborhood of $10,000 to $15,000. It’s very important to keep in mind, however, that your total RN to BSN program price tag could be much lower once you take into account any and all financial aid resources available. Funding assistance of one form or another (scholarships, grants, tuition discounts, student loans, etc.) can be found for practically all RN to BSN students, but is of particular importance for those students choosing one of several private school programs with significantly higher than average tuition costs.

Eastern International College (online)

RN to BSN

Total Credits: 90 quarter credits

$262/credit

Thomas Edison State University (online)

RN to BSN

Total Credits: 48

$311/credit

Rutgers University School of Nursing–Camden (online and hybrid)

RN to Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing

Total Credits: 33

$553/credit in state, $1067/credit out of state

What should I look for in a quality RN to BSN program in New Jersey?

There are a number of things you can look for during your search of online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey to indicate you’ll be getting a quality education. They include program reputation and approval by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. First and foremost among them, though, is proper institutional and programmatic accreditation. Institutional accreditation has to do with the overall academic quality of a college or university. Institutional accreditation in the U.S. is administered by a number of Department of Education recognized independent regional and national accrediting agencies. Programmatic education concerns the quality of individual program types. Programmatic accreditation of nursing programs in the U.S., including RN to BSN programs, is carried out by two primary accreditors: the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Current accreditation information can usually be found on school and program websites. You can also check accreditation status using this Department of Education search engine.

What are the admission requirements for RN to BSN programs in New Jersey?

Admission requirements for New Jersey RN to BSN programs also vary somewhat from program to program, so be sure you have a clear understanding of the specific requirements for any program you’re interested in before you apply. Generally speaking, you can expect all RN to BSN programs to require the following for admission:

• Possession of an active and unincumbered RN license. Some schools limit admission to applicants with a New Jersey-issued license.
• Possession of an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or (for some programs) nursing diploma from an accredited nursing program.
• Minimum cumulative GPA on coursework transferred into the program, typically from the applicant’s ADN program. Specific minimums vary by program.

You may also need to provide proof of passing a criminal background check and drug screening. But you likely already have that covered as a requirement for employment in your current RN job.

What additional nursing skills and knowledge will I gain in an RN to BSN program in New Jersey?

The focus of practically all RN to BSN programs is on providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully take on leadership and management roles in the nursing/healthcare field. This is borne out by the topics covered in the courses making up core RN to BSN curriculums. Common topics include:

• leadership and administration;
• nursing theory;
• research methods
• public/community health and policy;
• information technology and management; and
• legal/ethical issues in nursing practice.

A small number of clinical practice courses are also often included covering such topics as advanced pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, and health assessment.

How long does it take to complete an RN to BSN program in New Jersey?

Program lengths for online RN to BSN programs vary due primarily to the specific program and student’s chosen study pace. Students enrolled full-time in online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey typically complete all program requirements in anywhere from 10 to 18 months, with the average completion time coming in around 15 months. Students opting for part-time or self-paced study typically complete their programs in 18 months to two years (sometimes longer). Be sure to consult with a program representative for any program you’re interested in if you have any concerns about whether you can complete a program in the time allowed, as accommodations may be available.

New Jersey’s Leading Online RN to BSN Bridge Programs

We’ve reviewed the entire field of current online RN to BSN programs in New Jersey and determined what we believe to be the best of the lot. Our selections were made by taking into account several important student-focused program components including accreditation, affordability (including financial aid availability), study convenience, and access to useful student support services. To learn more on our rankings methodology, click the “About the Rankings” button.

Pay Comparison & Career Pathways: RN vs. BSN

There are pros and cons to each type of credential (diploma, ADN, BSN) leading to an RN career, but as discussed throughout this guide, getting your BSN can mean opening up whole new areas of the nursing profession to you, especially when it comes to roles in leadership and management. Registered nurses in New Jersey who possess a nursing bachelor’s can also expect a major boost in their salaries as well. Just how big of a boost? According to ZipRecruiter, nurses with a BSN degree earn (as of December 2024), on average, nearly $104,000 a year. That’s over 14% higher than the approximately $89,000 average annual salary earned by New Jersey RNs in general. And, of course, these are average salaries. Top salaries for registered nurses in New Jersey with a BSN can reach well into upper $100,000s (over $190,000, in fact). By comparison, salaries for RNs in the state generally top out at an average around the $150,000 mark.

As for career potential, the market for RNs in the U.S. overall and New Jersey in particular remains strong. This is evidenced by recent figures offered by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Projection Central website which list a projected job growth rate of 6.3% for RNs in New Jersey between 2022 and 2032. That’s substantially higher than projections for RNs in the U.S. overall and over twice the projected growth rate for all U.S. jobs during the same period.