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A leader in educating New Jersey’s healthcare workforce for nearly 60 years, William Paterson’s nursing enrollment has surged to the largest in northern New Jersey and number one among public regional universities. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the School of Nursing offers degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s and DNP levels. The BSN prepares students for entry-level practice as a professional nurse in every healthcare setting—acute or chronic care, in hospitals, the community, or home healthcare. BSN graduates are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and to continue their nursing education at the MS or doctorate levels.
NJ Spotlight News features WP's rapidly growing nursing program
Alumni in science and health are employed or in graduate school within 6 months after graduation
Average starting salaries in Nursing (NACE)
Noteworthy Nursing Jobs and Mid-Career Salaries 8+ Years of Experience (PayScale)
Known for excellence in nursing education, William Paterson University's BS in nursing program prepares students for entry level practice as professional nurses in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations. Graduates are well prepared for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), administered by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, to become professional nurses. They also gain a strong foundation for advanced education at the master's and doctoral levels. This department offers a major in professional nursing supported by a concentration in the biological, physical and social sciences and a broad base of general education courses. Nursing courses include a clinical laboratory component in which faculty guide students in the development and application of knowledge and skills in a variety of health care settings. An on-campus learning center provides a large inventory of audiovisual materials, carrel room, computer laboratory, hospital equipment, and supplies for student laboratory experiences.
View academic program requirements and course descriptions in the University Course Catalog:
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To broaden your career opportunities and meet the challenges of the expanding roles of the nurse, higher education is required. The department of nursing has modeled the admission requirements for the completion of the bachelor of science in nursing on the New Jersey articulation model developed by the New Jersey State Nurses Association. For progression to the baccalaureate degree in nursing, the registered nurse student must meet the admission requirements of the University, and have graduated from an accredited nursing program.
An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) 39-credit graduate degree program.An Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) is an advanced practice nurse with clinical focus on treating individuals from adolescents through adulthood and into advanced age. The main roles of AGNP's focus on preventive care involving health promotion and disease prevention as well as the management of patients with acute and chronic health issues. More info »
The family nurse practitioner (FNP) track is a 47-credit program that can be completed as a full-time or part-time student. FNPs provide comprehensive primary health care services to individuals from infancy through adulthood. FNPs are prepared to provide care to individuals with acute and chronic illnesses. Preventive health services, patient education, disease management, and illness prevention are provided within the context of family and community. Upon completion of the theory and practicum course requirements, you would be eligible to apply for the Family Nurse Practitioner Certification examination by American Association of Nurse Practitioner (AANP) or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). More info »
The MSN in School Nursing is a 33-credit graduate degree program. This concentration focuses on assisting school nurses in expanding their knowledge, value, and skills in school nursing. The program consists of 24 credits of the school nurse instructional program and 9 credits of graduate core courses in the School of Nursing. The student is also eligible for the Educational Services Endorsement as a certified school nurse when the 24 credits of the school nurse program is completed. More info »
The program is designed for professional registered nurses who have previously earned a master's degree with a major in nursing interested in pursuing certification in advanced nursing practice. The School of Nursing currently offers a Post-Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. Students in the Post-Master's Certificate Program will complete the necessary theory and practicum course requirements in the track in order to be eligible to sit for the Adult Gerontology or Family Nurse Practitioner certification examination (American Association of Nurse Practitioners or American Nurses Credentialing Center). More info »
The school nurse certification program is a graduate non-degree program offered by the School of Nursing. The program consists of two tracks, non-instructional and instructional.Upon completion of the non-instructional track, a standard educational services certificate with school nurse/non-instructional endorsement is granted by the New Jersey Department of Education. More info »
Guided by highly trained nursing faculty, students gain hands-on experience in our six cutting-edge patient simulation laboratories and our three state-of-the-art nursing basic skills labs—providing clinical experience right on campus. The nursing program is affiliated with more than 50 major hospitals and medical centers, public health agencies, clinics, and nursing homes, which offer clinical experiences. Students have the opportunity to earn membership in Sigma Theta Tau International, the Honor Society of Nursing, as well as join professional nursing organizations.
In our nursing programs, students learn in-demand skills that employers have identified as critical for job candidates, including:
Our more than 3,600 nursing alumni are employed in nearly every major hospital and medical center in New Jersey and beyond.
Our professors are proud practitioners in their fields and love to share their expertise beyond the classroom. Mentorship is at the core of our department, and it’s our goal that every student work directly with a faculty member to expand their knowledge and worldview.
BSN, Honors College nursing track, Registered nurse, Pediatric Emergency Department, Hackensack University Medical Center
And we're ready to help you grow. At William Paterson, we provide students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to forge forward as a powerhouse—both in the classroom and in their careers. Apply today to discover your potential.
Lydia H. Albuquerque, associate professor in the School of Nursing at William Paterson University, has been named a recipient of the inaugural Health Equity Awards presented by the American Nurses Foundation (ANF).
The awards were announced at the Opportunity & Impact in Nursing Summit in Washington, D.C., where five nurses from across the nation were recognized for driving meaningful change in advancing health equity, reducing disparities, and championing diversity within the nursing profession.
Albuquerque received the ANF Health Equity Practice Award, which honors a nurse whose work with patients, families, and communities exemplifies efforts to reduce health disparities and advance health equity, demonstrating best practices with potential for lasting impact.
“I am extremely delighted and humbled to be recognized by the American Nurses Association, representing 5.87 million licensed nurses in the United States,” says Albuquerque, who received her doctor of nursing practice degree from William Paterson in 2018. “Advocating for equitable care improves patient outcomes and providing equitable education opportunities for prospective nurses builds the next generation of the nursing workforce.”
Advancing Health Equity in Practice and Education
A national leader in advancing equity in nursing, she served as president of the National Association of Indian Nurses of America (2021-2022) and was a commissioner on the inaugural project of the American Nurses Association National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing.
Albuquerque’s research and community-engaged scholarship focus on improving health outcomes for vulnerable and underserved populations. She has secured more than $300,000 in grant funding, including support from the New Jersey Department of Health and Human Services, for a Fitbit-based intervention program in the City of Newark, aimed at improving exercise, diet, and medication adherence among Black and Hispanic women at high risk for hypertension and stroke.
She is also a collaborator on a five-year, U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration-funded grant providing $650,000 annually in scholarships to economically and educationally underserved students in William Paterson’s School of Nursing –totaling more than $3.25 million over the life of the grant.
“Expanding and strengthening New Jersey’s nursing workforce is a key strategic priority at William Paterson University,” says Venkat Sharma, dean of the University’s College of Science and Health, which houses the School of Nursing. “We are proud to have the largest nursing student enrollment on any single college campus in New Jersey.
“We are committed to preparing practice-ready, equity-minded nurses who serve diverse communities across the state and beyond,” Sharma adds. “Dr. Albuquerque’s national recognition reflects the excellence of our faculty and the leadership role William Paterson plays in advancing health equity.”
Professor Albuquerque brings more than two decades of experience in higher education and clinical practice to her work. A nurse practitioner specializing in acute care and cardiology, she coordinates William Paterson’s WP Online Graduate Nursing Program, which includes 22 courses taught by more than 80 faculty members.
Her honors include designation as an inaugural Fellow of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing (FADLN), Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (FNAP), and Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN).
