How to Renew Your NJ RN License: A Step-by-Step Guide
June 2, 2025Nurses are our real-life heroes and taking on this role requires a lot of empathy and dedication. Becoming a Registered Nurse in NJ is a very rewarding career, especially for those who have a desire to work with and take care of people. In this blog, we guide aspiring nurses on how to become a Registered Nurse in NJ.
What is a Registered Nurse?
A Registered Nurse, or RN, is a licensed nursing professional. They are responsible for a wide variety of patient care activities, including but not limited to, administering medications, taking vital signs, and working with other healthcare professionals such as doctors. RNs work in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, outpatient clinics, residential care facilities, doctor’s offices, private homes, and more. Registered Nurses are an integral part of the care team and work closely with every healthcare team member.
How to Become a Registered Nurse in NJ
- Complete and pass an accredited Registered Nurse program
The first step on your journey towards becoming a Registered Nurse is to apply for an accredited Registered Nurse education program. You can find some of the best RN programs in New Jersey. In order for you to take the licensing exam, you must complete and pass an accredited RN program either through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). There are three (3) different types of RN programs you can complete that allow you to take the NCLEX-RN. You can choose to complete one of these programs:
- Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN): Average two years to complete.
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Average of four years to complete.
- Accelerated BSN (ABSN): Average of 12-18 months to complete.
- Pass the NCLEX-RN
In order to get a professional nursing license, nursing students must take the NCLEX. Aspiring Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) will need to take the NCLEX-PN and aspiring Registered Nurses need to take the NCLEX-RN. Once a nursing student has completed the nursing program with a passing grade, they are deemed eligible to sit for the NCLEX.
The NCLEX is a standardized licensing test developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and stands for the National Council Licensure Examination. These tests are designed to ensure that nurses possess the knowledge and skills necessary to perform safely and effectively in their role. The NCLEX adapts to each test taker making it unique for each student. The tests consist of multiple choice, fill in the blank, and drag and drop questions. Passing the NCLEX is required to practice nursing in the U.S. and Canada.
- Obtain a New Jersey RN License
After passing the NCLEX-RN exam, you are now eligible to apply for licensure in NJ. Applying for licensure includes passing a criminal background check and getting fingerprinted. You’ll need to submit numerous documentations, several forms of identification, official nursing program transcripts, and a passing NCLEX score. To apply for your New Jersey RN license, head to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs website. The NJ RN license application is to be completed online.
- Gain clinical experience
Many, if not all, healthcare employers prefer to hire nurses with hands-on experience. However, this shouldn’t be an issue considering in order to be licensed, clinical experience is required. If you have other experiences including internships, clinical rotations, or working as a CNA can provide much more valuable experience and boost job opportunities.
- Apply for your first job as an RN
After you receive your NJ RN license, you are now eligible to work as a professional nurse and apply for an RN job in NJ! There are many different ways to land your first Registered Nurse job in New Jersey. Consider looking at different job boards, staffing agencies, networking, and residency programs to give you a wide variety of options to choose from. Horizon Healthcare Staffing can find you the perfect RN job in NJ according to your wants, needs, skills, and interests.
RN Programs in NJ
New Jersey is home to a number of nursing programs, including some of the best BSN nursing programs in the country. From community colleges to universities, there are a number of accredited nursing programs to choose from. Some of the top RN programs in New Jersey include:
- Saint Peters University
- The College of New Jersey
- Rutgers University
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Seton Hall
- Stockton University
Not only does New Jersey have a multitude of educational nursing programs, but it also offers a robust job market for Registered Nurses. With the projected shortage of RNs in NJ in the coming years, the high demand for nurses will continue to grow, making it a good time for aspiring nurses to join the field. New Jersey also offers a number of diverse job opportunities, competitive salaries, and top major healthcare employers such as Hackensack Meridian Health.
Conclusion
Becoming an RN isn’t an easy task, it takes dedication and a substantial amount of studying. However, entering the healthcare field in this profession offers a career of really making a difference in individuals’ lives. This blog breaks down everything an aspiring nurse looking to be licensed in New Jersey should need to know before starting their journey. There are many accredited NJ nursing programs for you to choose from, between online to in person and everything in between. Horizon Healthcare Staffing wishes you the best luck on your journey towards becoming an RN in New Jersey. Once you have met all the requirements, send us your resume and we’ll connect you with your dream job as an RN in NJ!
