Program Information
The RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing offers a Cooperative Nursing Program in partnership with Union College. Upon successful completion, graduates receive:
Diploma in Nursing
RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing
Associate in Science
Union College of Union County, NJ
Graduates are eligible to take the NCLEX-RN licensure examination to become a Registered Nurse.
Accreditation
The RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing program is approved and accredited by:
New Jersey State Board of Nursing
PO Box 45010, Newark, New Jersey, 07101
973-504-6430 | www.njconsumeraffairs.gov
Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
3390 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 1400, Atlanta, GA 30326
404-975-5000 | www.acenursing.org
Status: Continuing Accreditation
The School of Nursing is recognized by the National League for Nursing as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education in the category of Creating Environments that Enhance Student Learning and Professional Development from 2025-2029.
Curriculum / Curriculum Designs
The nursing curriculum integrates classroom instruction with clinical practice to prepare students for the realities of professional nursing. For further description of nursing courses, please see the School Catalogue 2024-2025.
Generic RN Track Curriculum Design
Location: Offered at both Elizabeth and Oceanport locations.
Duration: Students are expected to complete the Generic RN track within seven (7) semesters of starting NURE 105.
Total Credits: 65 (32 Nursing + 33 Science/Liberal Arts)
Semester 1 — 14 Credits
| NURE 105 - Foundational Concepts of Nursing | 4 |
| ENG 101 or ENG 112 - English Composition | 3 |
| BIO 105 - Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| PSY 101 - General Psychology | 3 |
Semester 2 — 14 Credits
| NURE 106 - Fundamental Concepts of Nursing | 7 |
| BIO 106 - Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| PSY 204 - Life Span Development | 3 |
Semester 3 — 14 Credits
| NURE 207 - Introduction to Acute and Chronic Nursing Concepts | 7 |
| BIO 108 - Microbiology | 4 |
| SOC 101 - Sociology | 3 |
Semester 4 — 13 Credits
| NURE 208 - Advanced Acute and Chronic Nursing Concepts | 7 |
| ENG 102 - English Composition II | 3 |
| Humanities Elective | 3 |
Semester 5 — 10 Credits
| NURE 209 - Critical and Complex Nursing Concepts | 7 |
| Humanities Elective | 3 |
Generic Track Credit Summary
| Nursing Courses | 32 |
| Science and Liberal Arts Courses | 33 |
| Total Credits | 65 |
LPN-RN Track Curriculum Design
Location: Offered only at the Elizabeth location.
Duration: Students are expected to complete the LPN-RN track within six (6) semesters of starting NURE 213.
Note: Custom designed courses build on existing knowledge, skills, and strengths of LPNs.
Pre-requisite Courses — 33 Credits
Must be completed before entering the program:
| BIO 105 - Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| BIO 106 - Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| BIO 108 - Microbiology | 4 |
| ENG 101 or ENG 112 - English Composition | 3 |
| ENG 102 - English Composition II | 3 |
| PSY 101 - General Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 204 - Life Span Development | 3 |
| SOC 101 - Sociology | 3 |
| Humanities Electives (2 courses) | 6 |
Prior Learning Credit — 9 Credits
| Practical Nurse Curriculum & LPN License | 9 |
Semester 1 — 4 Credits
| NURE 213 - Transitional Professional Nursing Practice Concepts | 4 |
Semester 2 — 7 Credits
| NURE 214 - Acute and Chronic Medical/Surgical Nursing Concepts | 7 |
Semester 3 (Summer) — 6 Credits
| NURE 215 - Women's Health and Maternal/Newborn Nursing Concepts (7 weeks) | 3 |
| NURE 216 - Acute and Chronic Pediatric Nursing Concepts (7 weeks) | 3 |
Semester 4 — 6 Credits
| NURE 217 - Psychiatric/Mental Health Complex Nursing Concepts (7 weeks) | 3 |
| NURE 218 - Medical/Surgical Critical and Complex Health Nursing Concepts (7 weeks) | 3 |
LPN-RN Track Credit Summary
| Prior LPN Credits | 9 |
| Nursing Courses (NURE 213-218) | 23 |
| Pre-requisite Courses | 33 |
| Total Credits | 65 |
Academic Regulations
Students are expected to maintain high academic standards throughout the program.
Academic Standards
- Minimum grade of C (75%) in all nursing courses
- Cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Satisfactory performance in clinical settings
- Completion of all requirements within the allotted time frame
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance is essential for success in the nursing program. Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, labs, and clinical experiences.
Clinical Requirements
- Current CPR certification
- Annual health examination and immunizations
- Background check clearance
- Drug screening
- Professional liability insurance
Learning/Simulation Center
Our state-of-the-art Learning/Simulation Center provides students with hands-on experience in a safe, controlled environment.
Facilities Include
- High-fidelity patient simulators
- Realistic hospital room settings
- Skills practice stations
- Debriefing rooms
- Computer lab with testing capabilities
Simulation-Based Learning
Students participate in realistic patient care scenarios that:
- Develop critical thinking skills
- Practice clinical decision-making
- Build confidence before clinical rotations
- Allow for safe practice of high-risk procedures
- Promote teamwork and communication skills
Program Outcomes
The RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing maintains high standards for student success.
End of Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Provide safe, quality, evidence-based nursing care
- Apply critical thinking and clinical judgment
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team
- Demonstrate professionalism and ethical practice
- Utilize informatics and technology in patient care
- Participate in quality improvement initiatives
Program Success Indicators
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
Graduation Rate
Employment Rate
View detailed Consumer Information and Program Outcomes Data