In New Jersey, the nursing profession is regulated by the Board of Nursing, a branch of the state’s Division of Consumer Affairs. As is the case with most states, the substantive aspects of obtaining this license concern fulfilling the education requirements, and passing a test. In this fact sheet, we’ll guide you through the process of becoming a Registered Nurse, and explain the differences between an RN and a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Obtaining a License

Here are the general steps to becoming :

• Enroll in a program of study at a Board-approved nursing educational facility. This means completing either an Associate's or Bachelor's Program in nursing at an accredited college. One thing to note is that New Jersey has a fairly competitive job market for RNs, and most people who know the field recommend working toward a Bachelor's in nursing early in your career. A thorough list of schools can be found here.

• You may submit an application for licensure prior to completion of your academic program. The cost of the application is 200 dollars, and you will also have to submit to a background check, including fingerprint for a fee of $67.50. You’ll also have to provide a 2 by 2, passport-style photograph. Both online and printable applications can be found here – you must create an online account to view the application.

• Registered nurses have one additional requirement, though this will likely be handled in your educational program if you complete it in state – you must receive sexual assault (SANE) verification, which requires additional educational and clinical work, and a fee of 100 dollars.

• Remember that upon completion of your diploma program, you must have your school send an Official Letter of Program Completion directly to the Board of Nursing.

• Register for the NCLEX exam. This can also be done prior to completion of your academic program, but note that you may not register for the NCLEX until you have submitted your application the Board. Your school will automatically notify the testing company upon completion. This will cost you another 200 dollars. Like many (though not all) states, NJ administers the exam through Pearson.

• Take and pass the NCLEX. This is the “big one” so to speak – the test required in all 50 states to become a Registered Nurse (there is also a version for licensed practical nurses).

• Once you pass, and your application has been processed, you’re in!

Unfortunately enough, New Jersey is not a Nurse Licensure Compact state, nor is there pending legislation to make it one. As such, any out-of-state nurses must complete a full application “by endorsement,” and this basically entails all the steps required for licensure by application, with the exception of taking the NCLEX. Happily, though, New Jersey makes the process fairly simple – a checklist of needed documents, along with a printable application, can be found here.

Maintaining a License

New Jersey RN licenses expire on May 31 of every other even-numbered year (the next period is 2016). The state has fairly stringent continuing education requirements – you must take 30 hours of approved classes for every licensure period. This guide can help you find out how to fulfill those requirements. The renewal process itself is fairly painless, and is mostly completed online – you can open an online account and begin that process here. Note that New Jersey has actually made videos to guide you through both the renewal and application processes. Links to these videos are found at the top of this page.

Discipline is also handled by the Board of Nursing, which has the power to suspend or revoke licenses, as well as to reinstate licenses. The Board periodically publishes its findings on disciplinary actions here. The Board has also put out a very useful algorithm explaining when it feels disciplinary action is appropriate against a nurse – basically, this is the guide a nurse should follow in determining whether the action they wish to take is subject to discipline. As in most states, discipline typically begins with a complaint made by a member of the public.

What’s the Difference Between LPNs and RNs?

As is the case with many states, in New Jersey the biggest difference between a licensed practical nurse and a registered nurse is that only registered nurses may supervise other nurses. Additionally, only RNs may teach classes or run educational programs for LPNs. The educational requirements for RNs are more stringent (in NJ, they must have a Bachelors Degree), and they typically earn higher salaries. Finally, there are certain statutorily specific duties that only RNs may perform – the law on this is available here.

New Jersey also licenses “advanced nurse practitioners,” who may perform a very large amount of medical duties and can actually prescribe medicine. This requires a Master's Degree.