How to Become a Nurse in New Jersey
There are a couple of ways to become a nurse in New Jersey but every educational path to become a nurse involves completing a nursing program and obtaining the knowledge and education required for this profession. One can become a nurse after one year of college education while others may choose to pursue degrees lasting two or more years. Every program available for those who want to become a nurse involves classroom study time and clinical practice time. At the completion of every nursing program the graduate must pass a licensure exam called NCLEX in order to be allowed to practice.
If you are interested in becoming a nurse the first step is to make sure you have your GED or High School diploma and to set up an appointment with the person responsible for admission to the nursing program you choose. Each nursing school has an individual who is responsible for providing information, and guiding you on how to become a nurse. This person may be a counselor or a nursing program admission officer. One of the fastest ways to become a nurse is to enroll in an LPN or LVN program and become a Licensed Practical Nurse or Licensed Vocational Nurse. There are also hospital programs which offer a diploma to those interested in becoming a nurse. Hospital-based nursing programs also take only one year of study and clinical practice to complete.
Community colleges offer mostly two year programs to students who want to become nurses. Some universities also offer two year nursing programs leading to an Associate Degree in nursing. Specific high school courses (such as algebra, biology, etc.) are needed for admission in these programs and the nursing student needs to maintain at least a grade of C in all coursework. One becomes a nurse upon graduation from a two year program with the title RN, ADN meaning Registered Nurse, Associate Degree in Nursing.
You can also become a nurse by pursuing a four year nursing degree. In general, four year nursing programs are offered by universities. A four-year nursing degree is also sometimes called a BSN degree, meaning Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The title one receives upon graduating from this nursing program is RN, BSN. Those interested in changing careers when already holding a Bachelor Degree in a field other than nursing can enroll in special programs to become a nurse.
Accelerated nursing degrees, also called fast - track or second - degree nursing programs, are geared to individuals who want to become nurses and possess a Bachelor Degree in another field. These nursing programs last one to one and a half years, are designed for motivated people, and award a Bachelor Degree in Nursing upon completion of the program. Second-degree nursing programs are very selective when choosing which students are accepted into the program and therefore a good GPA for your previous degree is almost always required.
For those interested in becoming an advanced practice nurse there are a great variety of Master Degree nursing programs to choose from. These advanced degrees are only offered at universities and usually prospective students must possess at least an Associate Degree in order to enroll.
Helpful Nursing Advice and Resources
Financial Aid for Nursing Students | Online Nursing Schools and Programs | What You Should Know About the Boards of Nursing | Paying for Nursing School | Why Become a Nurse? | How to Study and Review for the NCLEX Examination | Online Master Degree Programs in Nursing | NICU Nursing Jobs | Nursing Programs in California | Why you Should Consider Working as a Travel Nurse | New Graduate Nurses Working in the ICU | Medical Surgical Nursing | Night Shift Nurses | Tips for Helping Nurses Get Enough Sleep | Foreign Educated Registered Nurses | What Makes a Workplace Better than Another for Nurses? | What to Do When a Patient Requires Extra Confidentiality? | About the Influence of Ethics on Nurse Retention | NCLEX Practice Tests
