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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.
New Jersey State Senators Benjie Wimberly (NJ-35) and Andrew Zwicker (NJ-16), vice chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, toured William Paterson University’s state-of-the-art Nursing Simulation Laboratory with University President Richard J. Helldobler last week, highlighting the State’s support for healthcare workforce development and the University’s expanding leadership role in allied health education.
The Nel Bolger RN Simulation Lab at William Paterson’s School of Nursing, home to the largest nursing enrollment on any college campus in New Jersey, was recently upgraded thanks to a special $1 million New Jersey State appropriation secured for William Paterson by then-Assemblyman, now Senator, Wimberly, with support from Sen. Zwicker.
“I was proud to secure $1 million in funding to support the innovative Nursing Simulation Lab at William Paterson University because investing in this type of hands-on, high-impact learning is an investment in New Jersey’s healthcare future,” said Senator Wimberly. “This state-of-the-art space gives nursing students the opportunity to train in realistic clinical environments, strengthen critical skills, and graduate fully prepared to serve patients and communities across our state. William Paterson’s commitment to innovation and workforce development is exactly the kind of leadership our higher education institutions should be advancing.”
“As Vice Chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee, I strongly believe that advancing learning environments like William Paterson University’s Nursing Simulation Lab is essential to strengthening New Jersey’s healthcare system,” said Senator Zwicker. “These state-of-the-art facilities support academic excellence, workforce development, and the preparation of highly skilled nurses who are ready to meet the evolving needs of our state.”
“We are grateful to Senator Wimberly and Senator Zwicker for their continuing support of William Paterson, in particular, and for New Jersey public higher education, in general,” said William Paterson University President Richard J. Helldobler. “We especially appreciate their taking the time to visit our campus and see firsthand the impact this support is having on our School of Nursing, which produces more nursing graduates than any other single campus in the state. These graduates are vital to the health of our state’s residents and economy, and the upgrade to our Simulation Lab—funded with a $1 million appropriation that Senator Wimberly secured—will ensure that they are learning on the kind of state-of-the-art training technology and hospital-grade equipment that mirror the modern healthcare environments in which they will be working.”
William Paterson’s School of Nursing uses the simulation lab to provide immersive, hospital-grade training that mirrors real clinical environments and allows students to practice complex medical scenarios before working with patients. The senators’ visit underscored how modernized academic facilities and hands-on learning environments are helping prepare students to meet New Jersey’s growing healthcare needs.
At the heart of the simulation lab are advanced Elevate Healthcare simulators—lifelike, wireless “patients” that can breathe, blink, bleed, speak, and respond dynamically to treatment. The technology allows faculty to simulate a wide range of medical conditions, from respiratory distress to cardiac arrest, and provides real-time feedback during CPR and other procedures.
A portion of the state funding also supported technological upgrades for the University’s biology and speech-language pathology departments, reinforcing William Paterson’s broader strategic growth across allied health disciplines.
That growth includes the $40 million, state-funded Recreation and Health Sciences Center currently under construction on campus. The project will more than double the size of the existing Sports and Recreation Center and create a new academic hub for students in sports medicine, exercise physiology, athletic training, and related health sciences programs. Funded through the New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority, the facility is scheduled for completion in 2027.
