10 Best ADN Programs in New Jersey – (2-Year RN Programs)
Written By: Pattie Trumble, MPP, MPH (Introduction), and Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org (School Profiles)
Since most ADN programs in New Jersey take two years or less to complete, they are significantly less expensive than other available paths to becoming a registered nurse. Once you take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you’ll be eligible for employment at one of the Garden State’s many hospitals, clinics, and physician practices. Healthcare employers in New Jersey value RNs with associate degrees in nursing: Demand for the services of ADN-prepared nurses is expected to go up by 9 percent in just 10 years. You’ll make good money, too—$96,670 annually on average. Could this be the right educational choice for you? The guide below to the 10 best ADN programs in New Jersey will help you find out.
What Are The Best ADN Programs In New Jersey (Online And Campus)?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 10 best nursing schools for ADN programs in New Jersey. You can complete most of these programs in 2 years.
1. Mercer County Community College - Trenton
Program Details: Mercer County Community College’s associate degree program is counted among the best ADN programs in New Jersey. The curriculum focuses on key competencies such as patient-centered care, interprofessional collaboration, leadership, and clinical reasoning. The program comprises 65 credits and includes courses in anatomy & physiology, clinical reasoning, developmental psychology, and concepts of nursing practice. The program takes two years to complete after which you earn your associate degree in nursing and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN exam.
Admission Requirements: For admission into Mercer County Community College’s ADN, you must have a high school diploma or a GED and a GPA of at least 2.5. The admission process also requires you to submit your transcripts and a TEAS score.
Why Choose This Program
• Mercer County Community College’s ADN program in New Jersey offers excellent clinical training at some of the leading healthcare facilities in the region.• Mercer County Community College’s ADN program is offered in a supportive and conducive learning environment that consistently yields a positive academic outcome.
• Mercer County Community College’s ADN program not only boasts of an excellent pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam but also takes pride in almost all of its graduates finding jobs soon after completing the program.
2. Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus - Sewell
Program Details: To launch your career as a registered nurse, Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus offers an excellent ADN program. One of the best 2-year nursing programs in New Jersey, the program provides you with the learning opportunities to excel in the position of a registered nurse. Leading to the NCLEX-RN exam, the program equips you with the skills and knowledge in core nursing concepts. The core nursing courses teach you concepts in the fundamentals of nursing, med-surgical nursing, maternal-child nursing, psychiatric nursing, and community health nursing.
Admission Requirements: The admission requirements for this ADN program in New Jersey include a high school diploma or a GED with a minimum GPA of 2.5. In addition, you must be prepared to submit a TEAS exam score and all your official transcripts. Applicants are also required to complete pre-requisite courses with a minimum grade of C.
Why Choose This Program
• Rowan College of South Jersey’s ADN program takes a holistic approach, focusing on the various aspects of patient care, including communication, and cultural competence.• Rowan College of South Jersey’s ADN program is taught by an expert faculty that is committed to student success.
• Rowan College of South Jersey’s ADN program provides excellent clinical preparation. Students complete their clinical rotations in diverse healthcare settings.
3. Passaic County Community College - Paterson
Program Details: Passaic County Community College’s associate degree in nursing is a rigorous two-year program that includes topics such as nursing theory, pharmacology, and concepts in mental health nursing, psychiatric nursing, women’s health nursing, and community health nursing. With more than 50 years of experience, the program fully prepares graduates for the complex challenges of registered nurses.
Admission Requirements: To qualify for this 2-year nursing program in New Jersey, you must be at least 18 years old. To be eligible, you must have a high school diploma or a GED. To complete the admission requirements, you must submit your transcripts and a TEAS score.
Why Choose This Program
• Passaic County Community College’s 90% of graduates report finding suitable jobs within 12 months of graduation.• Passaic County Community College’s ADN program is affordable and can be completed without breaking the bank. In addition, eligible students can also avail of financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
• Passaic County Community College’s ADN students practice clinical skills in state-of-the-art facilities.
• Passaic County Community College’s ADN program is offered in small-sized classes where students receive personalized attention.
4. County College of Morris - Randolph
Program Details: Grounded in the values of compassion and care, the ADN program at County College of Morris produces committed nurses who make a difference in the lives of the communities they serve. Counted among the best ADN programs in New Jersey, the program builds a strong foundation in the arts and sciences of nursing. The ADN program comprises around 67 to 68 credits, including general education and nursing courses. The core nursing courses mainly focus on the fundamentals of nursing, med-surgical nursing, and maternal-child nursing.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for this ADN program in New Jersey, you must be a high school graduate with a GPA of at least 2.5. To apply, you must be prepared to submit your transcripts and a TEAS score.
Why Choose This Program
• At County College of Morris, you will be taught by expert faculty members who have earned a graduate nursing degree and are active researchers and practitioners.• County College of Morris provides ADN students with excellent learning opportunities at its high-fidelity simulation lab.
• County College of Morris offers competitive tuition costs. Further, the college offers generous scholarships and financial aid opportunities.
5. Essex County College - Newark
Program Details: Essex County College’s ADN is a great launchpad for a fulfilling career in nursing. The coursework covers several topics such as microbiology, pharmacology, fundamentals of nursing, common health alterations, and complex health alterations. The program also teaches you about the management of care and nursing leadership.
Admission Requirements: The admission process for this ADN program in New Jersey is highly competitive, taking in highly deserving candidates. To qualify for admission, you must be at least 18 years old. Also, a high school diploma or GED is required. The program also requires a GPA of 2.5. To apply, you must also complete the prerequisites with a minimum grade of C. Submission of transcripts and an ATI Test score is also required.
Why Choose This Program
• Essex County College’s ADN program is offered in small-sized classes with not more than 25 to 30 students.• Essex County College’s ADN program students practice skills in an advanced simulation lab that replicates a real-world clinical environment.
6. Jersey College - Ewing & Teterboro
Program Details: With more than 20 years of experience in training excellent nursing professionals, Jersey College’s ADN program plays a major role in contributing to the nursing workforce in New Jersey. As one of the best ADN programs in New Jersey, the program includes well-rounded theoretical and clinical education. The program focuses on topics such as physiology, pharmacology, and nursing core concepts.
Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission, you must be at least 18 years old. Further, a high school diploma or a GED is required. To complete the application, you must also be prepared to submit your recommendation.
Why Choose This Program
• Among all the ADN programs in New Jersey, Jersey College’s associate degree program stands out for following a Humanist model. According to the Humanist model of the program, every person is unique in their way.• Jersey College’s ADN program graduates become part of a large network of more than 10,000 graduates.
• Jersey College’s ADN program is offered in a warm and nurturing environment where the faculty cares about your success and well-being.
7. Raritan Valley Community College - Somerville
Program Details: Raritan Valley Community College offers another one of the best 2-year nursing programs in New Jersey. The curriculum includes courses in the foundations of nursing, English, psychology, psychiatric mental health nursing, nursing of adults, principles of microbiology, sociology, nursing of individuals, and families across the lifespan. To graduate, you must complete a total of 65 credits.
Admission Requirements: Raritan Valley Community College’s ADN program is open to 18-year-olds who have a diploma or GED. The program requires applicants to complete pre-requisite courses including medical terminology, anatomy & physiology with a minimum grade of C.
Why Choose This Program
• Raritan Valley Community College’s ADN program has agreements with several four-year colleges. The agreements allow for seamless transfer of credits to a BSN or MSN program.• Raritan Valley Community College’s ADN program offers day and evening classes to accommodate the schedules of working students.
• Raritan Valley Community College’s ADN program is career-focused, offering training in skills that are in demand.
8. Middlesex County College - Edison
Program Details: If you are searching for a reputable 2-year nursing program in New Jersey, then Middlesex County College offers an excellent choice. The program emphasizes key competencies that fully prepare you for the role of a care provider. Some of the courses you take include human anatomy, English, fundamentals of professional nursing practice, lifespan development, and nursing care of individuals with acute and chronic health conditions. You also learn about patient-centered care across the lifespan and advanced med-surgical nursing.
Admission Requirements: To be considered for this 2-year nursing program in New Jersey, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Also, a GPA of at least 2.5 is required. Potential applicants must also complete prerequisites in anatomy & physiology and principles of microbiology with a minimum grade of C.
Why Choose This Program
• Middlesex County College’s ADN boasts of a promising first-time-pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam.• Middlesex County College’s ADN program reports a track record of professional success. Most graduates find suitable jobs soon after graduation.
• Middlesex County College’s ADN focuses on practical hands-on training in diverse healthcare settings.
9. Ocean County College - Toms River
Program Details: Established in 1966, Ocean County College’s associate degree program in nursing is an excellent option for aspiring nurses. Among the well-known 2-year nursing programs in New Jersey, the program prepares graduates to work in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term facilities, etc. The ADN coursework focuses on topics such as psychology, contemporary nursing, human anatomy, and microbiology.
Admission Requirements: If you are interested in applying for this ADN program in New Jersey, you must have a high school diploma or GED. Also, a GPA of at least 2.7 is required. The admission requirements also include the submission of transcripts and an ACT exam score.
Why Choose This Program
• Ocean County College’s ADN program is more affordable than most other ADN programs in the state.• Ocean County College’s ADN program emphasizes practical experiences in a variety of healthcare settings.
• Ocean County College’s ADN program provides graduates with job-ready skills that help them immediately transition into the workforce.
10. Rowan College at Burlington County - Pemberton
Program Details: To enter the field of nursing, you can consider obtaining your training from Rowan College at Burlington County’s ADN program. Among the reputable ADN programs in New Jersey, the program offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide variety of topics. You will learn about topics such as microbiology, developmental psychology, fundamentals of nursing, nursing care of the childbearing family, management & professional issues, and nutrition in nursing & healthcare.
Admission Requirements: For admission into Rowan College at Burlington County, you must have a high school diploma or a GED. The admission process also requires the completion of courses such as psychology, English, anatomy & physiology, nutrition, and microbiology. A TEAS score is also required.
Why Choose This Program
• Rowan College at Burlington County partners with the Virtua Health System to provide ADN students with meaningful clinical experiences.• Rowan College’s ADN program is known for its high-quality & affordable learning experiences.
• Rowan College partners with Rowan University to offer a 3+1 RN to BSN program. The 3+1 program allows students to earn a BSN at a much lesser cost and also within a shorter period.
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