What is the academic schedule of the program?
The College of New Jersey’s (TCNJ) Accelerated Second-degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program starts each year at the end of May. The program takes 14 months to complete.
Can I continue to work while I’m a student in this program?
Due to the rigorous and accelerated nature of this program, students are strongly discouraged from working or maintaining any employment while completing this program.
What is the structure of the program?
The program is divided into three educational components:
Class: synchronous interactive and discussion on campus or online
Clinical/Simulation and Lab Experiences:
Clinical experiences are held one to two days a week (depending on the class) for up to 12 hours at facilities in New Jersey or Pennsylvania
Simulation and lab experiences take place on campus in our fully functional, high-fidelity lab. Throughout the program, scheduled simulation and lab time is built into each course and open simulation and lab time is offered for additional practice. Additional practice may be offered on weekends.
Online Coursework: students are responsible for completing online coursework (readings, videos, class preparation, discussion forum posts, assignments) on their own time
Is the ABSN program accredited?
The ABSN program is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
What is the admissions process?
Step 1: Submit Your Application
The first step in the application process consists of submitting your online application through the TCNJ Online Application and the following supporting documents:
All official transcripts (GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred) from every higher education institution you have attended. Submit your official transcripts to ABSN@tcnj.edu.
Take the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®) Exam and submit your official ATI TEAS® Exam Score Report (scores of Proficient or better is required). Submit your official transcripts to (The College of New Jersey or ABSN@tcnj.edu)
Step 2: Completing Requirements
After your preliminary application is complete, your transcripts will be evaluated, and you will be contacted by email regarding any outstanding requirements
Step 3: Application Review
When all requirements are complete, your file will be reviewed by the ABSN Program Admissions Committee, and you may be invited for an interview.
Please note: a completed application does not guarantee an interview invitation. Additionally, an interview does not guarantee admission to the program.
All application requirements described in Step 1 and Step 2, including prerequisite courses, must be completed by the following application deadline: November 1st
What are the program requirements?
Complete a previous bachelor’s degree at a regionally accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
Completion of all prerequisite courses prior to acceptance.
Complete the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS®) Exam. The ATI TEAS® Exam measures basic essential skills in the academic content areas of reading, mathematics, science, English, and language usage. A score of Proficient or better for the overall score is required. Official TEAS® score reports should be sent to (The College of New Jersey or ABSN@tcnj.edu)
Submit an online application, with the required supporting documents, and a nonrefundable application fee. All requirements, including the online application, supporting documents, prerequisite courses, and nonrefundable application fee, must be received by TCNJ by the application deadline.
Applications are not evaluated by the ABSN Admissions Committee until they are complete and all requirements have been met.
Attend an interview (we will schedule this for you).
My GPA is less than 3.0, should I still apply?
A GPA of 3.0 or higher is preferred, but you can still apply and your application materials will be reviewed by the ABSN Admissions Committee.
What comprises a complete application?
A completed application includes the following required documents:
Online application (with nonrefundable application fee)
Official ATI TEAS® Exam Score Report
American Heart Association CPR for Healthcare Professional card
All official (unopened) transcripts from every higher education institution you have attended (including Advanced Placement Tests)
Please note: a completed application does not guarantee an interview invitation. Additionally, an interview does not guarantee admission to the program.
How do I take the ATI TEAS® Exam?
All applicants are required to take the ATI TEAS® Exam. On ATI’s website, https://www.atitesting.com/teas, you can register for and schedule the exam at a time/location convenient for you. Please select The College of New Jersey on ATI’s website to send the official results.
A score of Proficient or better is required for the overall scores. You are allowed to take the exam two times. We recommend studying/preparing for the exam. Study materials are provided by ATI and can be purchased on their website.
I have a master’s degree. Do I still need to take the TEAS® exam?
Yes.
Which CPR course do I need to take?
The course required is American Heart Association Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR & AED Training for Healthcare Professionals. Yes, it needs to be provided by the American Heart Association.
What happens once my documents are received and my application is considered complete?
The ABSN Admissions Committee will review your application and supporting documents. If your application meets the requirements and the ABSN Committe , you may be invited to an interview.
TCNJ takes a holistic approach to the review of our applicants, considering student abilities and involvement beyond academics. All other criteria used in the evaluation process are in the “Requirements” section. A waiting list is created when more qualified applicants than seats are available.
Please note: a complete application does not guarantee you an interview invitation. Additionally, an interview does not guarantee you admission into the program.
Is an interview required?
Yes. Applicants who meet the requirements are invited to interview with the ABSN Admissions Committee as part of the competitive admissions selection process.
Please note: a complete application does not guarantee you an interview invitation. Additionally, an interview does not guarantee you admission into the program.
What are some interview questions I may encounter during my interview?
Here are four sample questions to help prepare for the interview.
- Tell us what you know about this accelerated BSN program and TCNJ?
- Why have you chosen to pursue a BSN and why do you think you’re a good candidate for our program?
- Nursing programs are demanding; what resources or strategies are available to you to help you successfully complete this program?
- Diversity is something that we see frequently in nursing. Discuss a person, incident, or experience in your life that will prepare you most to become a nurse who will care for a diverse population of patients.
Can I take prerequisite courses at The College of New Jersey?
Yes, you can take prerequisite courses at TCNJ. You will need to submit a non-matriculated application. The application fee is $75, but you will only pay this once if you apply to the ABSN program.
You can submit an application to be considered for the Non-Matric Program. Please click here: Apply for Non-Matric .
Please note that all our prerequisite courses are taught on campus, in person. The cost per 1 Unit (4 credits) is approximately $2,006.08 plus miscellaneous fees. You can see our cost breakdown here. If you are looking for 2 courses, that would be 2 Units.
What courses do I need to complete the prerequisites requirements?
There are no time limits on prerequisite courses. All prerequisite courses and bachelor’s degree must be completed prior to acceptance into the program.
| Prerequisite Course | Required Credits |
| Anatomy and Physiology 1 with Lab* | 4 |
| Anatomy and Physiology 2 with Lab* | 4 |
| Microbiology with Lab* | 4 |
| Chemistry with Lab* | 4 |
| Nutrition | 3 |
| Statistics | 3 |
| Developmental Psychology (Across the Lifespan) | 3 |
* labs for the science courses need to be taken on-ground or on-campus.
Can I take the prerequisites at a Community College?
Yes. The prerequisites must be taken at a regionally accredited institution. If you have a question about which courses are acceptable, you can contact the ABSN Coordinator for assistance. Please provide the college/university name, course number, course name, and course description.
How do I know if the courses I took at a New Jersey Community College will transfer and be used as prerequisites?
NJTransfer.org allows students to type in the course number of the Community College and Find the Course Equivalency at TCNJ.
Can you tell me more about the clinical experiences?
Students do not choose their own clinical sites, they are assigned by the staff.
Where do I send my transcripts?
The College of New Jersey prefers to receive transcripts electronically through one of the many secure services with which we participate. Please send them to ABSN@tcnj.edu. If transcripts must be sent by mail, please send to:
Trenton Hall, Room 206
The College of New Jersey
ABSN Coordinator
P.O. Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628
If I took courses outside of the U.S., what do I do with my international transcripts?
The College of New Jersey will not evaluate transcripts from other countries. We will accept credit recommendations from one of the following agencies when the recommendations are based on a course by course evaluation and sent as an official transcript to TCNJ. Transcripts must be submitted to a United States agency that provides foreign credential evaluations before being sent to TCNJ. The College of New Jersey will accept foreign credential evaluations from any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Click here or see below for a list of current NACES members approved by TCNJ.
A2Z Evaluations, LLC
Academic Evaluation Services, Inc.
Center for Applied Research, Evaluation & Education, Inc.
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
Educational Perspectives
Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc.
Foreign Academic Credential Service, Inc.
Foundation for International Services, Inc.
Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
Globe Language Services
Institute of Foreign Credential Services, Inc.
International Academic Credential Evaluators, Inc.
International Consultants of Delaware, Inc.
International Education Evaluations, Inc.
International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants
SpanTran: The Evaluation Company
Transcript Research
World Education Services, Inc.
What is the tuition?
Tuition: $34,000.00 + fees (subject to change)
Any Fees?
Yes. All fees are subject to change. The most current fees can be found on this webpage: https://studentaccounts.tcnj.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/77/2023/07/Additional-Fees-23-24-1.pdf
Estimated associated costs are approximately $5000 per program. Below are other estimated costs not included in the tuition.
Books/Electronic resources: costs vary.
Clinical Compliance: costs vary by health care practitioner.
Major Medical Health Insurance: costs vary by plan.
Professional Liability Insurance: $30.00 (costs vary by plan)
New Jersey Board of Nursing Application Fee: $300.00
NCLEX-RN Application/Exam Fee: $300.00
Is a deposit required to hold my seat?
Yes. A $600 nonrefundable deposit is required within 2 weeks of notification of acceptance.
Is a deposit required to hold my spot in the cohort if I am conditionally accepted?
Yes. A deposit is required for all applicants interested in attending the program within 2 weeks after notification of acceptance or conditional acceptance.
Can I get financial aid, and are scholarships available?
Yes, you can get financial aid, but please be advised that if you have a previous bachelor’s degree, you may not qualify for Pell Grant funding. You must submit your FAFSA in order to be considered for financial aid. It is advisable to do this as soon as possible. Furthermore, do not rely on federal and state financial aid to cover your entire tuition, living expenses, books, equipment, uniforms, or other expenses. You may have to seek private, credit-based sources of funding, scholarships, etc. For questions, please contact the Office of Financial Aid at (609) 771-2211 or email at osfa@tcnj.edu.
Financial aid and any private loans must be in place and accepted prior to the start of your first term. If you plan to pay all or a portion of their tuition out of pocket, that payment must be made prior to the first day of class. Students with outstanding balances on their accounts will not be permitted to attend class or clinical.
Scholarships are available. View scholarship information or visit Johnson & Johnson Nursing for outside scholarship information.
Can I live on campus or is housing close by the campus?
Are there resources available to help me if I am struggling in a course?
The Tutoring Center provides services that facilitate TCNJ students’ learning and persistence as they meet academic challenges throughout their careers. Trained in principles and practices of International College Reading and Learning Association certification, peer tutors assist students in mastering course content and developing learning skills, including problem-solving, analytical reading, writing researched arguments, oral presentation techniques, test-taking strategies, and time management.
If I still have questions, what should I do?
Contact us through email at ABSN@tcnj.edu. If you do not hear back from a representative within 96 hours, please contact our Nursing office at (609)771-2591.