January 3, 2024

Ramapo College aims to graduate more licensed nurses to address the shortage in New Jersey with the addition of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The innovative program enables qualified candidates to complete the degree requirements in only 16 months. As U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) shared in June, New Jersey is one of the top ten states with the most open nursing positions. The state also expects a shortage of more than 11,000 nurses by 2030, according to New Jersey Hospital Association President and CEO Cathy Bennett. 

Ramapo nursing students experience hands-on learning in the on-campus simulation lab

The ABSN is a full-time, 16-month program beneficial to those with an undergraduate degree and interested in a career change into nursing, those currently working in healthcare and wish to become RNs with a BSN, and community college students with a non-nursing associate’s degree and want to earn a BSN. For candidates who might not have the necessary prerequisites, a bridge program that offers the required coursework for the ABSN is available.

Students will enjoy special flat-rate program tuition, a cohort model that fosters collaboration and support with classmates as well as the state-of-the-art facilities in the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence. Ramapo has long-standing partnerships with a number of esteemed area hospitals and centers for clinical site placements including Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Paterson, University Hospital in Newark, Holy Name in Teaneck, New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, HMH Hackensack University Medical Center, and Atlantic Health System hospitals.

This program can be attributed to a legislative resolution co-sponsored by Senator Joe Lagana (D38-Paramus) and Assemblywoman Lisa Swain (D38-Fair Lawn) that provided Ramapo with a $1M appropriation to meet the expected need for more nurses in New Jersey. The funds awarded are being used to increase the number of clinical simulation rooms and hire additional faculty to meet the demands that increasing enrollment will create.

Nursing students processing in the time-honored tradition of Arching at Ramapo College.

Interest in nursing is growing, as evident in the more than 900 applications for Ramapo College’s direct-admit BSN program, an increase of more than 30% over this time last year. Nursing programs at Ramapo College have been revered for years, with consistently impressive rankings that include having one of the top three BSN programs, the #1 online RN to BSN program in New Jersey, and the #5 MSN in Nursing Administration program in the nation. The college graduated its first Doctor of Nursing Practice students in May 2023.

The ABSN program will enroll its first cohort to begin in May 2024, and the portal to submit applications is now open. Online information sessions about the program will run January 10 and 23. Visit the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing webpage for additional details about the program. To learn more about all Ramapo College nursing programs, visit ramapo.edu/nursing.