LPN Schools and Training Programs in New Jersey (NJ)

How to Become an LPN in New Jersey

Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) are regulated and licensed by the New Jersey Board of Nursing (NJBN). There are currently 3,000 LPNs in New Jersey accounting for 12% of the nursing workforce.

The New Jersey Board of Nursing also provides accreditation for nursing programs, and all nursing educational facilities that achieve less than 75% NCLEX pass rate for three consecutive years will be reduced to conditional approval and could lose accreditation all together.

LPN Education Requirements

Candidates for LPN are required to successfully complete an accredited LPN program. Such programs take 8 to 24 months to complete and will result in the issuance of a diploma, certificate or Associate’s Degree. The programs are a combination of class work and clinical training. Class work includes subjects such as practical nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, psychology, family nursing, anatomy, physiology and nursing management concepts. The clinical training portion of the program will take place in a healthcare facility and students will have the opportunity to participate in patient care tasks. Students will also have the opportunity to experience patient care tasks in all departments in the facility.

LPN License in New Jersey

When the student has completed the LPN educational requirements, it is time to apply to take the licensing examination. Students apply to take the National Council for Licensure Examination for LPNs (NCLEX-PN) through the NJBN. The application includes a criminal background check and a fingerprint card, documentation of graduating from an accredited LPN program and a 2”x2” recent photo for identification purposes. The Board will review the application, and if all the information is included, the student will be instructed to register with Pearson VUE, the exam administrators. The student will be assigned a date and time to take the exam. The results of such exams are available within 48 hours after taking the exam.

Students will have 90 days to take the exam and the clock starts when the student has registered with Pearson VUE. During that 90 day interval, LPN graduates may work as an LPN under the condition they pass the exam. If the graduate does not pass the test within the 90 days, they cannot work in an LPN capacity.

LPNs are required to renew their license every two years and must accrue 30 hours of continuing education contact hours. Continuing education credits can be taken online or in person, but must be approved by the NJBN. LPNs should keep documented evidence of the hours they accrue. LPNs are not required to provide documentation of their continuing education hours when renewing their license, but the NJBN conducts random audits of license renewals and may request to see documentation of particular individuals.

License renewal can be conducted online by logging into the license renewal site and submitting the required information, which includes LPN license number, social security number and payment information. The LPN will receive their new license via postal mail.

LPN Employment Outlook in New Jersey

Like most states, New Jersey has a number of nursing opportunities available and those opportunities will continue to increase through at least the year 2020. Currently, LPNs make up 17% of the nursing workforce in the state. New nursing opportunities and positions will increase by 22 to 24% through the year 2020, according to the United States Bureau of Statistics. The increase is due to always expanding healthcare options and the continued growth of the aging population. Nursing is one of the fastest growing careers and continues to thrive through economic downturns that sometimes impact other industries negatively.

LPN Salaries and Job Description

The average LPN salary in New Jersey is $24.21 per hour and a yearly income of $50,400. An entry level LPN will earn an average of $26,000 to $28,000. Years of experience, type of facility and level of responsibility will drive salary increases throughout an LPNs career. LPNs in a supervisory capacity could earn an average of $65,000 to $75,000.

LPNs perform a variety of nursing duties and those duties will vary depending on the facility. LPNs typically administer medication, orally, and by injection, perform diagnostic tests and track and monitor results, take vital signs, dress wounds, plan, implement and monitor patient care plans, track patient progress and prepare patients for release from a medical facility.

LPN Schools in New Jersey

Branford Hall Career Institute

Branford Hall Career Institute offers career-focused education that gives you the job skills you need to make the leap into some of today's hottest careers.

Programs:

Medical Assistant

Locations: Parsippany, Jersey City

Harris School of Business

Harris School of Business offers career-focused education that gives you the skills you need to make the leap into your new career.

Programs:

Professional Medical Assistant

Locations: Wilmington

How to Become an LPN in New Jersey

LPN Schools in New Jersey

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List of Approved NJ Practical Nursing Schools

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