Rutgers State University of New Jersey Newark Nursing School Review
Rutgers-Newark is one of the 3 campuses in the Rutgers State University of New Jersey system. Rutgers- Newark history can be traced back when New Jersey School of Law; established in 1908 together with four other colleges and schools merged to form the then University of Newark in 1936. The University of Newark remained operational for only a decade after which it was voted to join the Rutgers university system in 1946 and become Rutgers-Newark.
Nursing Programs at Rutgers-Newark
Rutgers-Newark College of nursing is a very large college in terms of the number of program offered under it. Programs include non-degree programs, Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing, graduate tracks and the 2 terminal nursing degrees. Undergraduate programs include a generic, an upper division nursing track and a second degree option while the Master of Science in nursing (MSN) offers a nursing leadership concentration option. For the non-degree category, Rutgers-Newark has 6 post-master’s nursing certificate tracks and numerous professional development continuing education opportunities for registered nurses. The college is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Undergraduate Programs
BS in Nursing
This is the generic program designed for pre-licensure candidates wishing to become registered nurses. The program accepts two categories of students: high school students and transfer students. It is important to note that the college of nursing does not accept students outside Rutgers for transfer into the generic BS in nursing. This is a college to college transfer for students wishing to move from one Rutgers academic division to the other.
The curriculum consists of 125 semester credits designed to be completed in 4 years- 8 semesters of full time study. The period is shorter for Rutgers transfer students and depends on the number of courses accepted for transfer to the BSN. All courses are offered at Rutgers Newark and New Brunswick campuses. Upon successful completion of the coursework, students graduate with a bachelor of science in nursing degree. They also gain academic eligibility to write the NLCEX-RN exam to become registered nurses (RN).
RN to BS in Nursing
The RN to BS in nursing is an online program option designed for registered nurses who wish to complete a bachelor of science in nursing degree. Registered nurses must be graduates of accredited diploma or associate degree programs and must have a current RN license for New Jersey. There is one admission cycle per year for classes starting in fall semester.
Students can transfer as many courses as may be applicable but the last 30 credits must be completed at Rutgers Newark. In addition to taking undergraduates courses, students can also choose to take up to 12 graduates courses. These courses count towards both the baccalaureate and graduates degree programs at Rutgers. Due to the varying course selection options, completion times may differ.
Accelerated 2nd Degree BS in Nursing
This is a very rigorous and intensive curriculum designed for students with a non-nursing baccalaureate degree. New students are admitted every summer semester for a study intensive 14-month period culminating at the end of the following summer. Selected courses in the first summer are web-enhanced or offered online. There is also a short 10-day clinical winter session after the fall semester.
Students who choose this program are advised to be self-motivated and be ready to give-up employment due the intense nature of the program. Pre-requisites courses must have been completed to be in a position to finish in 14 months. The program is offered on a full time basis only.
School Nurse Certificate
Rutgers-Newark offers an online school nurse certificate program for post-baccalaureate registered nurses wishing to become school nurses. It is also open for any BS in nursing student currently enrolled at Rutgers as a minor alongside the nursing major. The track admits new students once a year each fall semester.
Suitable candidates are those who have had relevant educational experience preferably in mental health, adolescent development, school nursing, and foundations in education among other relevant areas. Students that complete this program become eligible for certification as school nurses in New Jersey.
Graduate Programs
Master of Science in Nursing
The only MSN program designed for post-BSN students at Rutgers Newark is the Nursing Leadership track. The advanced practice nurse practitioner options previously offered as MSN tracks will only be offered as post-BSN Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
The BSN-MSN Nurse leadership track is designed to be completed in 15 or 2-3 years of full time and part time basis respectively. The track requires 42 credits to complete most of which can be completed online with a few selected requiring a face-face classroom setting very week.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Rutgers –Newark has restructured all MSN programs with a clinical focus to be post-BSN DNP programs following the recommendation to transform all advanced practice nursing education to DNPs by 2015. The DNP program is designed for students who want to translate evidence from research in real clinical practice.
In addition to the post-BSN option, the program also accepts all post-MSN-students wishing to take the DNP. There are two program options for both Post-BSN and Post-MSN students;
- Leadership Practice Focus
- Clinical Practice Focus
The Clinical Practice focus consists of all transformed advanced practice nurse practitioner options namely:
- Adult and Aged Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Mental Health /Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Both post-BSN DNP and post-MSN DNP students take their courses in hybrid format of online and few on campus residency program. Each track under the two categories has part time and full time options including the nursing leadership focus. Generally, post-BSN DNP option takes 3 years and up to 6 years for full time and part time study plans respectively. On the other hand post-MSN DNP options requires 2 years-5 semester and 2 years-6 semesters for full time and part time plans respectively.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing
Rutgers boasts to offer the first PhD terminal nursing degree in the state. The program is meant for MSN-prepared students wishing to get into scholarly nursing research. It a class curriculum of 67 credits available in both part time and full time study plans. Projected completion time is 3 and 4 years for the full time and part time plans respectively.
Non-Degree and Graduate Certificate Opportunities
Post-Master Certificate Programs
These programs are for MSN generalists who wish to earn certification as nurse practitioners. Options are available for the following nurse practitioner areas:
- Adult and Aged Nurse Practitioner
- Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
- Mental Health /Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
All tracks consist of 18 credits except the family nurse track which has 24. New students are admitted in the spring semester
Non-Degree
BSN and MSN graduates seeking non-degree credits can register for Rutgers selected courses. Post-BSN graduates can take 2 courses equivalent to 6 credits whereas post- baccalaureate non-nursing graduates can take 3 courses. Most of the non-degree courses are offered in the summer semester.
Professional Development
Rutgers offers quite a number of professional development opportunities for nurses. Such offerings are available as Conferences, Special events, Onsite and Online courses. Courses are offered in different timings, periods and semesters hence, students should keep checking for current offerings at the college of nursing website.
Contact:
Rutgers State University of New Jersey Newark
180 University Ave, Newark,
NJ 07102
