A Guide to Nursing in New Jersey

Visit the beaches in Cape May. Walk along the Atlantic City Boardwalk. See the Statue of Liberty. Make sure to include a visit to the Jersey Shore Alpacas. Satisfy your tastebuds by hopping over to Carlo’s Bakery to try their amazing lobster claw. New Jersey also has Wawa convenience stores that up gas stations to sights to see.

If you are a registered nurse (or are thinking of becoming one) read on to find the information you need, from licensing info, continuing education requirements, job & salary outlook, top hospitals, and nursing associations. Let us help you find your dream job!

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In this article, we will cover:

• Licensing information
• Steps for renewing a New Jersey nursing license
• Continuing education requirements
• Job & salary outlook for nurses in New Jersey
• Top hospitals in New Jersey
• Nursing organizations & associations in New Jersey
• Basic steps for licensing and certification
• Contact information

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Licensing information

Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in New Jersey whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to New Jersey from another state. For more information visit the New Jersey licensing page.

Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):

• NCLEX fee: $200
• Application fee: $80
• License fee: $120
• Fingerprint processing fee: $58.69

Licensing fees by endorsement (already have RN licensure):

• Application fee: $200 (RN/LPN); $80/$160 (APRN, based on expiration of RN license)
• Fingerprint processing fee: $58.69

License renewal fee:

• Application fee: $120 (RN); $125 (LPN); $160 (APRN)

*Fees are subject to change.

Additionally, New Jersey has a partial implementation of the Nursing Licensure Compact (NLC). This means nurses with active multi-state NLC licenses can practice in New Jersey. However, it also means nurses with New Jersey as their primary state of residency can’t apply for a multi-state license until the NLC is fully implemented. Check the NCSBN website to remain up to date.

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Steps for renewing a New Jersey nursing license

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Continuing education requirements

RN: 30 contact hours every 2 years

• At least 1 hour must address instruction in organ and tissue donation and recovery designed to address clinical aspects of the donation and recovery process
• At least 1 hour must address 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

LPN: 30 contact hours every 2 years

• At least 1 hour must address instruction in organ and tissue donation and recovery designed to address clinical aspects of the donation and recovery process
• At least 1 hour must address 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

APRN: 30 contact hours every 2 years

• At least 1 hour must address instruction in organ and tissue donation and recovery designed to address clinical aspects of the donation and recovery process
• At least 2 hours must address end-of-life care
• At least 6 hours must pertain to pharmacology
• Maintain national certification

Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The New Jersey Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.  

[ MORE: Earn your CEUs online, 100% free with Incredible Health. ]

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Job & salary outlook for nurse in New Jersey

Due to the shortage of nurses, these healthcare professionals are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates the profession will grow by about 9% between 2020-2030. The annual mean wage is $85,720.

We can also help you check out salary estimates to help determine if New Jersey is the right state for you.

[ MORE: Average nurse salary in New Jersey ]

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Top hospitals in New Jersey

If you’re not already picking up the phone to call movers, maybe this list of the best hospitals in New Jersey will sway you in the right direction. Here are the top hospitals according to U.S. News and World Report:

• Hackensack University Medical Center – Hackensack, NJ: This hospital is nationally ranked in 3 adult specialties and 1 pediatric specialty and rated high performing in 5 adult specialties and 14 procedures and conditions. Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals have been Magnet® designated for more than two decades. Some specialties include:
  • Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#45 in the nation)
  • Neurology & Neurosurgery (#50 in the nation)
  • Gastroenterology & GI Surgery
  • Geriatrics

• Morristown Medical Center – Morristown, NJ: This facility is nationally ranked in 3 adult specialties and rated high performing in 4 adult specialties and 17 procedures and conditions. This hospital is also Magnet® designated. Some specialties include:
  • Gynecology (#28 in the nation)
  • Orthopedics (#30 in the nation)
  • Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#42 in the nation)

• Valley Hospital – Ridgewood, NJ: This facility is rated high performing in 1 adult specialty and 11 procedures and conditions. This hospital is also Magnet® designated. Some specialties include:
  • Orthopedics
  • Diabetes & Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology & GI Surgery

*Magnet status – Awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and is considered the “gold standard” for excellence in nursing practice and care. Hospitals must meet certain criteria and apply to be designated.

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Nursing organizations & associations in New Jersey

Once you become a registered nurse (or even if you’re in the process), joining a nursing organization or association will give you access to networking, job opportunities, and a wealth of information shared between fellow nurses. Here are a few of the organizations and associations for nurses in New Jersey:

New Jersey State Nurses Association – “The mission of the New Jersey State Nurses Association is to promote the profession of nursing; advance the practice of nursing and advocate for nurses.”

New Jersey State Association of Occupational Health Nurses –

“NJSAOHN is committed to meeting membership needs. To accomplish this NJSAOHN will:

• Educate: Educate through mentoring, networking and programming.
• Promote: Promote and support Occupational Health.
• Encourage: Encourage active participation.”

New Jersey State School Nurses Association – “The New Jersey State School Nurses Association seeks to improve health and educational outcomes for children and youth by building the capacity of school nurses to promote school and community wellness and deliver high-quality healthcare in the school setting.”

Check out the comprehensive list of national organizations as well.

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Basic steps for licensing and certification

Step 1: Education

Attend an accredited nursing school to earn either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN will take between 18 and 24 months to complete, while you can expect to spend roughly four years to earn a BSN. If you already have an ADN, there is an ADN to BSN bridge program that allows you to earn a BSN in 12-18 months. There is also an RN to BSN bridge which takes three semesters of nursing courses to be completed in one year. These programs will save you time and money. The more education you have, the better your chances of landing your dream job. 

Step 2: Licensing

When you are six weeks away from graduation, you can apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. There are 75 to 265 questions on the NCLEX-RN with a five-hour time limit for completion. If you do not pass the NCLEX-RN on your first attempt, you must wait 45 days before you can try again.

The NCLEX includes questions on the following topics to test nursing candidates’ knowledge:

1. Safe and effective care environment
2. Health promotion and maintenance
3. Psychosocial integrity
4. Physiological integrity

Step 3: Experience

This step in the process is to gain hands-on experience. This will provide you with invaluable opportunities to work with patients making you attractive to future employers.

Step 4: Certification

The final step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. Requirements for earning a certification vary so it is important to check with the governing body for information. Incredible Health offers free courses in order to obtain or renew certification requirements. Create a free account to access professional development mandates and get instant certificates.

[ Looking for more support? Get free, personalized career guidance from experienced RNs. ]

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Contact information

New Jersey Board of Nursing
Phone: (973) 504-6430

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur/Pages/default.aspx

124 Halsey Street
Newark, NJ 07102

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