Professional Nursing Program
Professional Nursing Degree Tracks
Generic Track
Professional Nursing (“Generic RN”). The RN Program’s Generic Track culminates in an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. This track option is for individuals who may not have any prior nursing education and are not currently LPNs that desire to become an RN.
This track option is available at the following campuses: Brooksville, Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Wayne, Jacksonville, Largo, Naples, Port Charlotte, Tampa.
LPN to RN Bridge
Professional Nursing (“LPN to RN Bridge”). The LPN to RN Bridge Track helps advance the LPN’s career by providing a seamless path to the RN license. This track option is for individuals who are currently LPNs and desire to become a Registered Nurse.
This track option is available at the following campuses: Brooksville, Cleveland, Ewing, Fort Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Largo, Naples, Port Charlotte, Tampa, Teterboro.
Why Jersey College?
"Enrolling in Jersey College’s Nurse Residency Program, was the best decision I ever could have made for myself! The faculty treats you like family and celebrates your successes as if they were their own!"
"My journey to Jersey College was never a straightforward one, there were many winding roads that led me here. It has always been my dream to become a nurse since I was a little girl in the hospital fighting my own battles. I never thought I could actually do it. One day I decided it was time for me to bet on myself and take that leap of faith. Enrolling in Jersey College’s Nurse Residency Program, was the best decision I ever could have made for myself! The faculty treats you like family and celebrates your successes as if they were their own! Any time I needed additional tutoring or someone to talk to there was always someone available. I was afforded the opportunity to travel to Puerto Rico on a nursing mission trip with students from all different campuses. This gave me the chance to share individual educational experiences with the students of such diverse backgrounds. I was amazed to hear their experiences to be so similar to mine in terms of support from the school. I have accepted an offer at Largo Medical Center Emergency Department as a part of their Fall StaRN Residency class. I think Jersey College has fully prepared me for my first step into this incredible profession. My advice to anyone that is on the fence if they should apply or not is to DO IT! Always bet on yourself! You never know what the outcome could be if you don’t try! The juice will be worth the squeeze."
- Brittany J.
Traditional RN Graduate, Largo Campus
"If you are thinking of living the NurseLife it is truly found within these doors."
"I would like to thank all of my Jersey College, School of Nursing family for being there day in and day out of my journey to become a nurse. I was enrolled at another local college but due to certain circumstances I was forced to leave and start fresh where I found my niche at Jersey College. From the moment I walked through those big glass doors for the first time, I felt it was my home away from home – it was right for me.
Along my path, the instructors I had helped to bring forth my "inner nurse". If ever there was a time where the pressure was so high that I felt the battle uphill was too much, there was always an open door and a listening ear with words of wisdom and encouragement to help me get back on track. From the days of first quarter to the day of my last exam, they were there, telling you to believe! To quote one of my most influential people I had the pleasure of entering into my life, Ms. K. Stafford., " You had the drive to come this far, you aren't going to stop now!" I was on the verge of throwing in the towel a couple of times throughout my time at Jersey College, and it must have been written on my face or an invisible sign that only my Program Chair or instructors could see. On those days, they helped me get back in the game.
The pace of study is quick, and it comes at you sometimes like a whirlwind. The curriculum is excellent, and the instructors are phenomenal! If you are thinking of living the NurseLife it is truly found within these doors.
See you soon for the “Bridge”, Jersey :-) love you all!! Special thanks to: Ms. K. Stafford, for keeping her methods of madness and a firm glance when she knew I needed it. To Ms. J. Bertrand for her ever astonishing guidance and infinite wisdom. Ms. S. Johnson for her ever so strict use of punctuality, Mr. K. Peterson for countless real life stories and compassion for all people, Ms. L. Rankin for her profound use of the phrase "look it up" but always making sure we did "look it up" and then awesome explanations on WHY....and Mr. C. Davis, for make sure that our pyramid of learning was topped off with his amazing style and awesome delivery. This was an amazing learning experience. I would recommend Jersey College to anyone interested in becoming a nurse or furthering their career."
Much love Jersey!
Carmen Ausmus
- Carmen A.
LPN Graduate, Jacksonville Campus
Accreditations & Licensure
Jersey College is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. Each campus is licensed, authorized, and/or approved by its respective State governing educational body and the nursing programs are licensed, authorized, and/or approved by the respective State Board of Nursing. For location-specific information, click the link below
Professional Nursing Overview
The Professional Nursing Program prepares students for a successful career as a Registered Nurse. Jersey College has a holistic approach to the nursing education process. By earning an ADN or building on your current knowledge as an LPN, you can learn all of the core skills a registered nurse must possess to understand the importance of addressing the physical, emotional, social, economic, and spiritual needs of the patient in an ever-changing, complex society. These principles provide the structural framework and foundation for the nursing curriculum.
What does an RN do?
Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care in various healthcare settings. Most RNs work as part of a team with other healthcare specialists and physicians. Some RNs oversee LPNs, CNAs and other health aides in their role. RNs offer a variety of care and support such as educating patients and their families about various health conditions while also providing emotional support.
Some duties of an RN can include:
- Assessing patients’ conditions
- Recording patients’ medical histories and symptoms
- Observing patients and recording the observations
- Consulting and collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals
- Operating and monitoring medical equipment
- Administering patients’ medication and treatments and monitoring for therapeutic effects
- Creating plans for patients’ care
- Educating patients and their families on how to manage illnesses or injuries
- Contributing information to existing plans with other members of the healthcare team
- Assisting with diagnostic tests and analyzing the results
- Provide discharge planning to patients and their family as they prepare to transition to the home environment
RN Work Settings
With the multitude of nursing specialties and healthcare settings, there can be a vast selection of employment opportunities for RNs. Many healthcare facilities, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, provide care for patients 24 hours a day. This means nurses and other staff are needed for round-the-clock care. RNs can have the opportunity to fill many different work schedule options, such as shifts that cover working days, nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also work on-call, which means that they are on duty and must be available to work on short notice. There are also opportunities for RNs to work in other settings such as schools, offices, and facilities that do not operate 24 hours a day that can offer schedules within standard business day hours.
There are many nursing specialties, which provide RNs with an assortment of job options. Below is a sample list of areas nurses may choose to work, shared from the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
Addiction nurses care for patients who need help to overcome addictions to alcohol, drugs, and other substances.
Cardiovascular nurses care for patients with heart disease and people who have had heart surgery.
Critical care nurses work in intensive care units in hospitals, providing care to patients with serious, complex, and acute illnesses and injuries that need very close monitoring and treatment.
Genetics nurses provide screening, counseling, and treatment for patients with genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis.
Neonatology nurses take care of newborn babies.
Nephrology nurses care for patients who have kidney-related health issues stemming from diabetes, high blood pressure, substance abuse, or other causes.
Public health nurses promote public health by educating people on warning signs and symptoms of disease or managing chronic health conditions. They may also run health screenings, immunization clinics, blood drives, or other community outreach programs.
Rehabilitation nurses care for patients with temporary or permanent disabilities.
Some nurses do not work directly with patients, but they must still have an active registered nurse license. For example, they may work as nurse educators, healthcare consultants, public policy advisors, researchers, hospital administrators, salespeople for pharmaceutical and medical supply companies, or as medical writers and editors
RN Salary Range
The median annual wage for registered nurses was $77,600 in May 2021, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)1. Some factors that can play a role in RN salary include the state and city location of job, type of work, and specialty.
Nursing Salary Guide
Salary and employment by state are listed below from the BLS as of May 2021:
Florida’s annual average RN salary was $72,000 with 187,920 RNs employed throughout the state.2
New Jersey’s annual average RN salary was $82,720 with 79,530 RNs employed throughout the state.3
Indiana's annual average RN salary was $68,890 with 66,800 RNs employed throughout the state.4
Tennessee's annual average RN salary was $66,680 with 62,250 RNs employed throughout the state.5
The state in which you practice nursing and the degree level you attain play a role in salary for most occupations, considering the cost of living and population. To explore additional state employments and salaries visit www.bls.gov/oes/current/map_changer.htm.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics - FL
3 Bureau of Labor Statistics - NJ
4 Bureau of Labor Statistics - IN
5 Bureau of Labor Statistics - TN
Job Duties
LPN vs. RN Licensure
When LPNs and RNs pass their licensure exam, they are limited by their scope of practice. These are the laws in each state that explain what nurses can and cannot do. An RN’s scope of practice tends to be broader than an LPN’s. LPNs typically work under the supervision of an RN. Examples of differences between LPNs and RNs include:
RN's
- Provide therapeutic treatments
- Give intravenous medications
- Perform physical assessments
- Create a plan of care
- Supervise LPNs, CNAs, Patient Care Assistants, and Home Health Aides.
LPN's
- Report patient response to therapeutic treatments to the Registered Nurse
- Cannot give intravenous medication
- Cannot perform the initial assessment but document patient condition, treatments, and changes and report findings to the Registered Nurse
- Educate patients following the plan of care established by the Registered Nurse
- Supervise Home Health Aides, Patient Care Assistants, and CNAs.
Salary
With added responsibilities, there is generally a difference in salaries. While the salaries can vary by state and facility, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics an LPN makes an average of $48,070 per year1, while an RN makes an average of $77,600 a year2, as of May 2021.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics - LPN
2 Bureau of Labor Statistics - RN
