Last Updated/Verified: November 15th, 2024

New Jersey is a state with a vast and thriving healthcare sector, and there is a bounty of opportunities in the nursing field.

People who want to become nurses in New Jersey may consider becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) rather than a Registered Nurse (RN). The benefit of becoming an LPN is that you don’t have to commit to a four-year educational path in order to start working. Students who graduate from LPN programs finish with the ability to hold a wide range of jobs, and ample opportunities for employment abound across the state.

LPNs in New Jersey: Quick Facts

• 80% of LPNs work full time, while 20% of LPNs work part-time
• LPNs in New Jersey earn an average of $28.55 per hour or $51,248 annually
• More than 15,000 LPNs are currently employed in New Jersey
• 17% of the state’s nursing workforce is made up of LPNs

Those who are trained to be a licensed practical nurse can find work all over the state, but there are several cities that have the most job opportunities for LPNs. Many of these cities are also ones where people can study to become an LPN. The cities with LPN programs in New Jersey include Carneys Point, Newark, Jersey City, and Blackwood.

Overview of LPN Schools in New Jersey

New Jersey has 26 nursing schools offering LPN programs to aspiring licensed practical nurses. There are many options that students can choose from in terms of schools. So, LPN students should be able to find a program that suits their particular goals and needs. There are some basic components to any LPN Program, though, so no matter which school a student attends, they can expect to learn about the following topics:

• Human biology
• Practical nursing skills
• Basic microbiology
• Infection control
• Mental health
• Basic pharmacology
• And any other specialty courses for the population or type of setting you want to work in.

LPN Accreditation

In order to work as an LPN legally, you must attend an accredited LPN program. LPN Programs in nursing schools in New Jersey can receive accreditation from a range of boards or organizations, including (but not limited to): The Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and the New Jersey Department of Education. It is also wise to study at a program accredited by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, In addition to receiving accreditation in the state, LPN programs can also be nationally accredited by an organization like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

LPN Admissions Requirements

Getting into a popular LPN program can be competitive. It helps to have an understanding of the admissions requirements before you apply so you can ensure you’re prepared to be a candidate. Schools may vary slightly in what they require. However, here’s what’s required for admission to the average reputable New Jersey LPN program.

• Be over the age of 18
• Proof of high school education or equivalent
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent resident card
• Completion of required coursework
• Scores from college placement exams or equivalent
• Completed admissions application to each specific program
• Interviews with faculty or administration

LPN Tuition & Costs

The cost of an LPN program varies widely based on which program you end up attending. In addition to the cost of tuition, students may also have to pay for housing, books, background fees, application fees, school supplies, required uniforms, and more. As an example of what a New Jersey LPN program can cost, Cumberland County College, one of the most popular LPN programs in the state, charges $4,682 for tuition. Books and supplies cost students an average of $1,920.

LPN Licensing Requirements in New Jersey

If you want to become a professional that works in nursing care in New Jersey, becoming an LPN is your fastest route. Completing an LPN program takes about a year for students who are attending school full time. Night students can finish the program in 18 months. After you graduate from a nursing program, technical school, or college that prepares you to pass the nursing licensing exam, you can immediately apply for licensure. Once you have completed the program of your choice, you must follow a process to obtain your LPN license.

Checklist to become a New Jersey LPN

• Complete your LPN program
• Prepare for the NCLEX exam
• Get your CPR card
• Take the NCLEX exam and pass
• Apply to the New Jersey Board of Nursing to obtain your license
• Pass a background check
• Find an LPN job opening
• Apply for the LPN job

NCLEX-PN Exam

The NCLEX-PN exam in New Jersey is the test that aspiring LPNs must take and pass to obtain their LPN license. The NCLEX-PN is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. The NCLEX-PN covers four main topics, all of which relate to safe and effective patient care, as well as medical procedures.

LPN Reciprocity

In order to be an LPN in New Jersey, you simply must hold an active, unencumbered multi-state LPN license. This means that you don’t necessarily have to have earned your LPN license in the state in order to work as an LPN there. As long as you hold a Compact License from your primary state of residence, you can work as an LPN within New Jersey.

LPN Salaries in New Jersey

Licensed Practical Nurses who work in New Jersey earn an average of $51,248 per year or $28.55 per hour. This is a bit higher than the national average, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is $48,820 per year or $23.47 per hour.

Here are the average salaries of LPNs in New Jersey’s major metropolitan areas:

• Hackensack, NJ: $32.08 per hour
• Vineland, NJ: $28.92 per hour
• Lakewood, NJ: $28.82 per hour
• Township of Galloway, NJ: $28.43 per hour
• Newark, NJ: $28.42 per hour

Source: https://www.bls.gov/

The type of nursing that an LPN does can also affect their salary. LPNs who work in more specialized fields, like in operating rooms or hospitals, tend to earn more than LPNs who work in physicians’ offices. LPNs can also earn overtime by working more than their normal weekly hours, and they can also expect to earn more if they work during less-desirable hours, like night shifts or weekend shifts.

Job Outlook for LPNs in New Jersey

As the healthcare industry grows in the state of New Jersey, and the demand for good healthcare increases, there is a solid outlook for people who are seeking LPN jobs. Employers looking for LPNs offer things like signing bonuses, benefits, flexible work time, and student loan reimbursement to entice LPNs to work for their practice.

In New Jersey, working LPNs can also have schedules that are flexible enough to continue their education and progress along their career path. LPNs can focus on specialties like anesthesiology or hospice care. Specialized LPNs are in high demand because they offer such specific, high-level care.

If you are considering a career as an LPN in New Jersey, the outlook is good. Job opportunities are increasing in the state and the path is one in which there is room for growth and long-term job security.

Top LPN Schools in New Jersey

New Jersey has dozens of excellent schools for aspiring LPNs. Each has a program that covers the basics of nursing, as well as specialized courses for people who want to tailor their careers to a certain aspect of the field. Here are the top LPN schools in the state.

Salem Community College

460 Hollywood Ave, Carneys Point, NJ 08069
(856) 299-2100

Salem Community College trains LPNs at their Nursing Center. The school has a one-year program that prepares you to sit for the NCLEX-PN. This program is intended for students who don’t yet have their licenses.

Holy Name Medical Center – Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing

(551) 248-4600
333 Hudson Terrace, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

At Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing, students take part in a 60-hour-per-week program that covers the foundations of nursing. Students are able to seek licensure as LPNs when they are finished with their studies and training. Participants also earn 17 transferable hours of college credit.

Essex County College

(973) 877-3000
303 University Ave, Newark, NJ 07102

The Nursing Department at Essex County College offers an A.A.S. degree program that prepares students for entry-level nursing jobs at a wide variety of care facilities, including surgery centers, hospitals, and in pediatric care. Upon completion, students are eligible to take the NCLEX to become an LPN. LPNs who already have their license can attend this program to gain credits toward completion of an A.A.S. degree in nursing.

Hudson County Community College

(201) 714-7100
70 Sip Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306

At Hudson County Community College, students in nursing education programs can train to take the NCLEX-PN to become an LPN. Students start with studying the theoretical basis of nursing then get plenty of hands-on and lab experience. Classes at this vocational school are flexible—daytime, evening, and weekend—which means you can fit your training and education into a busy schedule.

Jersey College

(609) 777-9035
546 US-46, Teterboro, NJ 07608

The Practical Nursing Program at Jersey College trains students to pass the NCLEX-PN to work as licensed nurses in a range of different care facilities—from hospitals to long-term care. Students who complete the program also gather hours and courses to pursue an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in nursing, if they so desire. The program combines clinical experience and coursework to prepare nurses to work in a wide variety of settings, from hospitals to physicians’ offices and beyond.

Union County College

1033 Springfield Ave, Cranford, NJ 07016
(908) 709-7000

The LPN program at Union County College is a four-year program. At the end of the program, students graduate with a certificate and are ready to take the NCLEX-PN exam. Nursing courses at Union County College are daytime classes, but clinical hours can be scheduled during days, nights or weekends. The program focuses on nursing theory and biology, and how those topics can be infused into practical nursing care.

Camden County College – Camden

200 N. Broadway, Camden, NJ 08102
(856) 338-1817

At Camden County College, the LPN Program is approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing. The focus of the program has three components: nursing skills, interpersonal skills, and technical/scientific knowledge. Students also study science, social science, and humanities—as well as how those topics relate to nursing. The program takes one full academic year and a summer.

Best Care College

68 S Harrison St, East Orange, NJ 07018
(973) 673-3900

The LPN program at Best Care College takes 50-weeks to complete, and it includes 75 credit hours. Once completed, Best Care College students are ready to sit for the NCLEX-PN program. The school works on a semester schedule and has holiday and vacation time off. The school is also known for small class sizes and individualized attention from instructors.

 

Eastwick College – Hackensack

250 Moore St, Hackensack, NJ 07601
(201) 488-9400

Eastwick College’s LPN program is based at their Hackensack campus, but students can study both in Hackensack and at the school’s Ramsey campus. Students learn practical nursing skills, including how to take vital signs, make physical assessments, give medication, and provide IVs. Students who complete the program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam are prepared to hold entry-level nursing jobs in a wide variety of care facilities (including home care).

Universal Training Institute

174 Jefferson St, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861
(732) 826-0155

At Universal Training Institute, LPN students participate in a full-time day program. The college has fully equipped labs so students can do their lab work on campus. 84.44% of graduates pass the NCLEX-PN exam for licensure, and 70% are placed in jobs right out of school. Universal Training Institute boasts small class sizes and devoted instructors who care about each individual candidate’s success.

Additional Resources

Ultimately, becoming an LPN is a great way to launch into a career in the healthcare industry quickly, do a job that helps people, and work in a field that can guarantee long-term job security. If you are thinking about becoming an LPN or you already work as one and want to learn more about how to advance your career, you can learn more at the following links.

• New Jersey Board of Nursing
• New Jersey Collaborating Center
• New Jersey Board of Nursing Laws