Essex County College Nursing Program Review

Essex County College (ECC) was established in 1966 as a community college serving the residents of Essex County. The college operates from the main campus in Newark and closely neighbors Rutgers University-Newark and New Jersey Institute of Technology. It extends its higher education services to the western end of the county through its satellite campus in West Caldwell. It is an open door college dedicated to offering high quality 2-year career entry and transfer degrees in addition to professional, community development and certificate programs.

Nursing Programs at Essex County College

The nursing division at ECC offers 2 tracks leading to the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in nursing degree: an entry level option and a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) articulation option. It also offers an academic certificate program for those wishing to become licensed practical nurses. Accreditation for the associate tracks is by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. No accreditation information is provided by the school for the LPN certificate program. All programs are approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing.

Nursing ASS Degree Program

Like mentioned earlier, ECC is an open door college hence, the ASS program is open to any candidates with a high school diploma. The program is designed for career-entry purposes and prepares students for initial licensure as registered nurses.  Candidates initially make an application to the college and take all required courses so as to gain eligibility for the nursing program. Admission into the nursing major is competitive and occurs twice annually for the fall and spring semesters. All transfer students must complete at least 6 prerequisites at ECC to be allowed to transfer into the nursing program.

The curriculum consists of 66 credits: 20 for general education courses and 46 for nursing courses. Students must choose between one of the 2 study options available: full time day program or the Evening/weekend program. Those in the full time option start on the semester commencing September while the evening program starts every January. Both options are designed to be completed in 2 academic years of 4 semesters. Successful completion leads to eligibility to apply and take the NLCEX-RN exam to become a registered nurse.

Nursing: LPN Articulation Option

This option offers LPN opportunities to become registered nurses in a shorter period through gaining credit for their LPN licenses and prior education. Application for this program must be received at ECC no later than 31st July each year. Candidates must be in possession of a current LPN/LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse) to be eligible for admission. Candidates must also have a minimum of 6 months working experience in a medical-surgical setting.

 Admitted students gain advanced standing by completing two nursing courses totaling 8 credits for which they receive another 6 nursing credits.  After these bridging courses, LPNs join the generic AAS track students usually at 2nd year level. Generally the articulation option takes 3 semesters in 1.5years to complete the AAS degree requirements to be eligible to graduate and take the NLCEX-RN exam.

LPN Program

The ECC LPN program is designed for students who wish to make a quick entry into the nursing career. Qualified candidates should send their applications to ECC before 30th June each year and must have completed a National League for Nursing (NLN-PN) admission exam. This certificate program is designed to be completed within 12 months of 4 semester year round study. 49 credits: 14 general education and 35 LPN credits must be completed for students to become eligible to take the NLCEX-PN exam.  Students are also awarded a Certificate of Practical Nursing Education. Graduates can also proceed to take the AAS nursing program under the LPN articulation option to become registered nurses.

Articulation Agreements

Graduates of the AAS nursing program at Essex County College can take advantage of the existing RN to Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree completion opportunities.  Students can flawlessly transfer credits for a BSN at the following 4-year schools:

  • Kean University
  • New York University
  • William Paterson University
  • New Jersey City University
  • Felician College
  • St. Peter’s College
  • Rutgers University
  • Seton Hall University

Contact:
Essex County College
303 University Avenue, Newark,
NJ 07102