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Navigating the Nursing Profession in New Jersey

Updated: Oct 6, 2022


Let us help you land on your dream job here in New Jersey! Read on this article to know more about the licensing process in New Jersey, and more!

 

Through this article, you will be able to know the following:

  • Fees for the licensing

  • Licensing renewal process (step-by-step)

  • Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing

  • Licensing and certification

  • Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in New Jersey

  • Popular hospitals in New Jersey

  • Nursing associations in New Jersey

  • Contact details


 

Fees for the Licensing

The table below shows the required payments for the licensing, whether you are a first-time nurse, applying by endorsement, or renewing your license. For more information, visit the New Jersey licensing page.



*Fees may change without any notice.

New Jersey currently implements the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) on a partial basis. Nurses with active multi state licenses can practice in the state but New Jersey-based nurses cannot apply for one until the NCL is fully implemented.

 

Licensing Renewal Process

  1. Check when your license expires by visiting the New Jersey Board of Nursing website. New Jersey has a Verification page for you to verify your license.

  2. Complete all your continuing education requirements BEFORE your license expires.

  3. Apply for your renewal process by going to the New Jersey Division Consumer Affairs website. You may check on the Renewal Information page for more specific information.


 

Requirements for Continuing Education in Nursing

The following are the Continuing Education Requirements for nurses in New Jersey.

  • For RN/LPN, you must complete 30 contact hours every 2 years

    • A minimum of 1 hour must be in instruction in organ and tissue donation and recovery designed to address clinical aspects of the donation and recovery process

    • A minimum if 1 hour must be in topics concerning prescription opioid drugs, including an alternative to opioids for managing and treating pain and the risks and signs of opioid abuse, addiction, and diversion

  • For APRN, you must obtain 30 contact hours every 2 years

    • A minimum of 1 hour must be in instruction in organ and tissue donation and recovery designed to address clinical aspects of the donation and recovery process

    • A minimum of 2 hours must be in end-of-life care

    • A minimum of 6 hours must address pharmacology

    • You must maintain national certification

The New Jersey Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.

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Licensing and Certification


Step 1: Education

To earn an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), you must attend an accredited institution that offers ADN for 18-24 months. You can also take a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Degree in an accredited institution. These programs typically take 4 to 5 years to complete. If you have an ADN but you wanna pursue your bachelor’s, there are certain programs that let you earn your BSN in 12 to 18 months. There is also an RN to BSN program that will take one year for you to earn the degree. Said programs let you save on time and money as you work towards advancing your career.


Step 2: Licensing

Six weeks before your graduation, you can start the process of your application for the NCLEX-RN exam. This exam is composed of 75-265 items and you will be given a limit of 5 hours to finish all of it. Failing the exam does not necessarily mean that you do not have the chance anymore. After your first try, you just have to wait for 45 days and you can apply again.

The scope of NCLEX includes questions about: (1) health promotion and maintenance; (2) safe and effective care environment; (3) physiology and integrity; and (4) psychology and integrity.


Step 3: Experience

This time, you must learn how to take the opportunities in gaining first-hand experiences in dealing with patients, with colleagues and superiors, and with the different situations that you might face. These invaluable experiences will make you more attractive to bigger employers in the future.

Step 4: Certification

Your last step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. There are different requirements for earning a certification, depending on your preferences so it is important to check with the governing provider for information. You can attend several trainings, seminars or workshops in varied institutions for this purpose.

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Job and Salary Expectations of Nurses in New Jersey

Shortage of healthcare professionals, specifically nurses, has been a perennial issue in the country. This makes nurses highly in demand during this period of time. This profession will increase by about 9% from 2020 to 2030. The average annual salary is $89,690.

Let us help you check out average wages of nurses to help determine if New Jersey is the right place for you.

 

Popular Hospitals in New Jersey

Still not decided on whether to work as a nurse in New Jersey or not? This list of the best hospitals in the state will surely help you make that decision to go in the right direction. U.S. News and World Report made a list of the best and popular hospitals in New Jersey. Here are some of them:

  • Hackensack University Medical Center – (Hackensack, NJ):

    • Regionally ranked #1 in New Jersey and #7 in New York

    • Nationally ranked in 3 adult specialties and 1 pediatric specialty

    • Rated high performing in 5 adult specialties and 14 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility and a teaching hospital

    • Part of the Magnet Recognition Program®

    • Specialties include Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#45 in the nation), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#50 in the nation), Gastroenterology & GI Surgery, and Geriatrics

  • Morristown Medical Center – (Morristown, NJ):

    • Regionally ranked #1 in New Jersey and #7 in New York

    • Nationally ranked in 3 adult specialties

    • Rated high performing in 4 adult specialties and 17 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Part of the Magnet Recognition Program®

    • Specialties include Gynecology (#28 in the nation), Orthopedics (#30 in the nation), and Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#42 in the nation)

  • Valley Hospital – (Ridgewood, NJ):

    • Regionally ranked #3 in New Jersey and #15 in New York

    • Rated high performing in 1 adult specialty and 11 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Part of the Magnet Recognition Program®

    • Specialties include Orthopedics, Diabetes & Endocrinology, and Gastroenterology & GI Surgery

  • Overlook Medical Center – (Summit, NJ):

    • Regionally ranked #4 in New Jersey and #18 in New York

    • Rated high performing in 3 adult specialties and 9 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility

    • Specialties include Colon Cancer Surgery, Heart Attack & Heart Failure, Gynecology, Nephrology, Stroke, Knee Replacement, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and Diabetes & Endocrinology.

  • Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center – (Livingston, NJ):

    • Regionally ranked #5 in New Jersey and #19 in New York

    • Rated high performing in 2 adult specialties and 8 procedures and conditions

    • General medical and surgical facility and a teaching hospital

    • Specialties include Colon Cancer Surgery, Heart Attack & Heart Failure, Nephrology, Stroke, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Pneumonia, and Diabetes & Endocrinology.

*The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards Magnet Status to Hospitals that apply and meet certain criteria. This award is also considered as the “gold standard” for excellence in nursing practice and care.

 

Nursing Associations in New Jersey

Becoming a member of a nursing association opens a lot of opportunities to your career growth. It gives you the advantages of varied job offers and networking, and a bunch of information and experiences shared between you and your fellow nurses. Through these organizations, learning and professional growth never stop. Listed below are just a few of the nursing organizations that you can find and join once you are in New Jersey.

New Jersey State Association of Occupational Health Nurses “This institution of nurses is dedicated to obtaining the needs of its members by: (1) educating through programs of networking and mentoring; and, (2) promoting and supporting Occupational Health.”

New Jersey State Nurses Association “This organization sees itself as the one to promote the nursing profession, improve the nursing practice and advocate for nurses.”

New Jersey State School Nurses Association “This group of school nurses envisions to pave the way for high standards of health for the whole school community.”

For more information about the nursing associations, you may visit the comprehensive list of national organizations as well.


 

Contact Details

New Jersey Board of Nursing

Phone: (973) 504-6430

Email: NursingUpdates@dca.lps.state.nj.us

124 Halsey Street

Newark, NJ 07102


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