Are you looking for a job that pays well and offers many opportunities for advancement in New Jersey? Does the thought of working in a healthcare setting excite you? If your answers to these questions are "yes", you should think about enrolling in an associate degree in nursing, or ADN, program, which leads to a career as a registered nurse (RN). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs in New Jersey earn the average salary of $101,960 and can easily advance in their careers by completing an accelerated bridge program.
- 6.3% RN Job Growth
- $101,960 Yearly Salary
- 82,950 RNs Employed
Source: Projections Central, BLS
ADN programs are perfect for people who are looking for the speediest way to become registered nurses. While BSN and MSN programs can take anywhere from four to six years to complete, ADN programs only last two years. What this means for you is that after you earn an associate degree in nursing, you will become eligible to work as an entry-level registered nurse. There are, of course, a few other requirements you need to meet before you can begin seeking work as an RN, and the main requirement is to pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
The NCLEX-RN is the national licensing exam for nursing program graduates. There are two phases to this test: a multiple-choice theoretical exam and a practical skills assessment.
Related: Average Cost of Tuition for an ADN Program
The Best ADN Programs in New Jersey
Are you ready to begin your ADN training? The following schools in New Jersey offer some of the best ADN programs in the state.
Atlantic Cape Community College
5100 E Black Horse Pike, Mays Landing, NJ 08330 (609) 625-1111Bergen Community College
400 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652 (201) 447-7200Brookdale Community College
765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738 (732) 224-2345County College of Morris
214 Center Grove Rd, Randolph, NJ 07869 (973) 328-5000Cumberland County College
3322 College Dr, Vineland, NJ 08360 (856) 691-8600Eastern International College
684 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 216-9901Eastwick College
10 S Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey, NJ 07446 (201) 327-8877Essex County College
303 University Ave, Newark, NJ 07102 (973) 877-3000Jersey College
546 US-46, Teterboro, NJ 07608 (201) 645-4222Mercer County Community College
1200 Old Trenton Rd, West Windsor Township, NJ 08550 (609) 586-4800Mercer County Community College
102 N Broad St, Trenton, NJ 08608 (609) 586-4800Middlesex County College
2600 Woodbridge Ave, Edison, NJ 08837 (732) 548-6000Ocean County College
College Dr, Toms River, NJ 08753 (732) 255-0400Passaic County Community College
1 College Blvd, Paterson, NJ 07505 (973) 684-6800Raritan Valley Community College
118 Lamington Rd, Branchburg, NJ 08876 (908) 526-1200Rowan College at Burlington County
900 College Cir, Mt Laurel Township, NJ 08054 (609) 894-9311Rowan College at Gloucester County
1400 Tanyard Rd, Sewell, NJ 08080 (856) 468-5000Rutgers University
83 Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (732) 932-1766Saint Peter's University
2641 John F. Kennedy Blvd, Jersey City, NJ 07306 (201) 761-6000Salem Community College
460 Hollywood Ave, Penns Grove, NJ 08069 (856) 299-2100Union County College
1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016 (908) 709-7000Warren County Community College
475 NJ-57, Washington, NJ 07882 (908) 835-9222
Job Outlook & Salary for RNs in New Jersey
RNs in New Jersey are in high demand, with a projected 6.3% job growth from 2022 to 2032, according to Projection Central. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that there are 82,950 RNs in the state, earning an average annual salary of $101,960, or $49.02 per hour.
Use our RN salary calculator to estimate your potential earnings based on location, experience, and education.
Explore salary trends for RNs in New Jersey's metro areas below:
| Area | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Trenton | $46.62 | $96,970 |
| Vineland-Bridgeton | $45.69 | $95,030 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $45.03 | $93,670 |
| Ocean City | $41.59 | $86,500 |
Source: BLS
New Jersey Board of Nursing
For questions about nursing programs and licensure in New Jersey, please contact the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
New Jersey Board of Nursing
- Address: 124 Halsey St 6th Floor, Newark, NJ 07102
- Phone: (973) 504-6430
- Fax: (973) 648-3481
- Website: njconsumeraffairs.gov
Conclusion
If you're interested in earning a weekly paycheck of nearly $2,000, consider training for a career as a Registered Nurse (RN) in New Jersey. This article lists some of the top accredited schools in the state offering ADN programs to help you achieve this goal.
