Overview of Nursing Pathways in New Jersey: Joint BSN, Accelerated BSN/MSN, and RN-to-MSN

This updated guide explains three common New Jersey nursing routes - joint BSN partnerships (now often administered with Rutgers after UMDNJ merged into Rutgers in 2013), accelerated BSN/MSN programs for non-nurses, and RN-to-MSN bridge programs - advising prospective students to verify current program sponsors, NCLEX preparation, specialty availability, and accreditation.

Nursing pathways in New Jersey - a quick guide

New Jersey offers several common routes into nursing practice and advanced practice: joint BSN collaborations, accelerated BSN/MSN tracks for career changers, and RN-to-MSN bridge programs for practicing nurses. Below I summarize how these pathways work today and note a few New Jersey-specific updates.

Joint BSN partnerships

Several New Jersey colleges host Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs delivered in partnership with a university nursing school. Historically, faculty from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) taught nursing curricula at partner campuses; UMDNJ merged into Rutgers University in 2013, and many joint programs are now taught or administered by Rutgers School of Nursing or by the host college in partnership with a university nursing school.

Two long-standing examples have been the Ramapo College location (Mahwah) and a program pathway in southern New Jersey. If you're considering a joint BSN, check the current host university and which institution awards the degree, since administrative arrangements have changed since the mid-2000s.

Accelerated BSN/MSN programs for non-nurses

Accelerated (ABSN) combined BSN/MSN programs let students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree complete pre-licensure nursing coursework on an accelerated full-time schedule, become eligible for the NCLEX-RN, then continue into graduate-level specialty coursework. These programs typically split into a pre-licensure phase (intensive clinical preparation and NCLEX eligibility) and a post-licensure phase (master's specialty coursework). Many New Jersey schools offer accelerated BSN or combined BSN/MSN tracks; program length, specialty options, and full- versus part-time options vary by school.

RN-to-MSN bridge programs

RN-to-MSN programs are designed for registered nurses who already hold a diploma or associate degree in nursing and want to progress directly into graduate study. These bridge programs combine remaining undergraduate requirements with graduate-level coursework and often offer a range of specialties such as family or adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health, nurse educator, clinical nurse leader, and informatics. Specialties offered vary by school and may include both advanced practice and non-prescriptive-care roles.

How to choose and next steps

Contact the admissions or nursing department of any New Jersey college you're interested in. Confirm who awards the degree, program length, clinical placement arrangements, and whether the program prepares you for NCLEX or advanced practice certification in your chosen specialty. Regional accreditation and state approval are also important.

If you need, I can look up current program pages for Ramapo College, Rowan University, and Rutgers School of Nursing and list direct links. ¹

1. Confirm current administrative and degree-awarding arrangements for the Ramapo College joint BSN program (host institution and whether Rutgers School of Nursing teaches the nursing curriculum).
2. Confirm current program structure and partnership details for any joint BSN offerings in southern New Jersey (Rowan University involvement or other host).
3. Locate up-to-date program pages for Ramapo College, Rowan University, and Rutgers School of Nursing to provide direct links and verify specialty availability for accelerated BSN/MSN and RN-to-MSN tracks.