Nursing Degree and Certificate Programs
LPN to BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Practical Nurse Certificate Program
Berkeley College’s School of Health Studies is committed to excellence in nursing education and offers an LPN to BSN degree and Practical Nurse certificate program. Both programs prepare students to enter this rewarding, in-demand healthcare field and to enhance their skills and expand their career opportunities.
The LPN to BSN program combines liberal arts and professional education with a humanistic and comprehensive approach to healthcare, leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN). The LPN to BSN curriculum prepares students for advanced nursing positions and provides a strong foundation for graduate study.
The Practical Nurse Certificate program combines a humanistic theory and lecture with clinical practice. Students learn to provide basic nursing care and perform administrative tasks. Graduates often begin careers in physicians’ offices, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, or home healthcare settings.
The LPN to BSN Accelerated Pathway is designed for the experienced LPN who has worked a minimum of 2,080 clinical hours (one or more years) as a Licensed Practical Nurse within the last two years. The program moves at a fast pace – seven semesters of full-time study – with a cutting-edge curriculum that prepares individuals for a career as a professional nurse.
BSN, LPN to BSN
The first LPN to BSN program of its type in New Jersey!
(LPN License Required)
Berkeley College’s LPN to BSN program grants experienced LPNs the opportunity to transition into the role of a baccalaureate-prepared Registered Nurse. Graduates of the program are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and are eligible to participate in the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). In the rapidly changing world of healthcare, a BSN can expand employment and earning opportunities. In fact, many hospitals and other healthcare facilities now require RNs to possess a BSN. The BSN also prepares nurses to pursue graduate degrees.
Berkeley College’s LPN to BSN program meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of New Jersey. Licensure, however, is not automatic. In addition to successfully passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Professional Nurses (NCLEX-RN), the New Jersey Board of Nursing requires that applicants be of a good moral character. Applicants wishing to become licensed in another state are encouraged to explore licensure requirements, which vary from state to state.
Nurses with a BSN are qualified to perform advanced tasks, including:
- Developing nursing care treatment plans
- Providing care to patients who are ill, injured, or suffering from other medical conditions
- Providing support and education to patients and families
- Supervising nurses and other professionals
- Administering medications and injections
- Assisting doctors during surgical and other medical procedures
Registered nurses work in a variety of settings including hospitals, physicians’ offices, outpatient clinics, schools, home healthcare services, and nursing care facilities.
LPN to BSN Students Benefit From:
- A strong foundation in both the theory and practice of clinical care
- The practical experience of hands-on labs and faculty monitored clinical assignments
- A supportive faculty selected on the basis of academic excellence and relevant professional experience in the nursing field
- Eligibility to participate in the NCLEX-RN examination and to apply for graduate programs in nursing
Practical Nurse Certificate
Provide vital care to patients.
The Practical Nurse program provides students with the knowledge and clinical skills necessary to enter the healthcare field as a Practical Nurse. Graduates of the Practical Nurse program are eligible to participate in the NCLEX-PN licensure examination. Passing this exam is required to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).
Berkeley College’s Practical Nurse program meets the educational requirements for licensure in the state of New Jersey. Licensure, however, is not automatic. In addition to successfully passing the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), the New Jersey Board of Nursing requires that applicants be of a good moral character. Applicants wishing to become licensed in another state are encouraged to explore licensure requirements, which vary from state to state.
Practical Nurses provide basic medical care, including:
- Monitoring a patient’s health by checking vital signs
- Administering wound care and inserting catheters
- Providing for the basic comfort of patients, such as helping them bathe or dress
- Reporting a patient’s medical status to the registered nurse and/or physician
- Maintaining patient health records
Practical Nurse graduates provide care to their patients in a variety of healthcare environments, including physicians’ offices, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home healthcare settings.
Practical Nurse Students Benefit From:
- A strong foundation in both the theory and techniques of clinical nursing
- Hands-on learning in on-site nursing laboratories that simulate various clinical environments
- Opportunities to practice communication and interpersonal skills needed for developing a rapport with colleagues and patients
- Valuable, practical experience gained through the completion of clinical rotations at off-campus healthcare facilities, under the supervision of New Jersey licensed Registered Nurse (RN) instructors
The Practical Nurse Certificate day program is designed to be completed in 60 weeks.
The Practical Nurse Certificate evening program is designed to be completed in 75 weeks.
Career Opportunities
With advanced skills and training, BSN graduates can qualify for higher-level positions and pursue graduate degrees. Registered Nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members. Most RNs work as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare specialists. Some Registered Nurses also oversee licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides.
Graduates from the LPN to BSN Degree program often obtain employment in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Physicians’ offices
- Outpatient clinics
- Schools
- Home healthcare services
- Nursing care facilities
Graduates from the Practical Nurse Certificate program often begin careers working in:
- Physicians’ offices
- Clinics
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Home healthcare settings
Professional Licensure & Certification
Information about professional licensure and/or certification requirements for this program is available online at: https://berkeleycollege.edu/about/accreditation-regulatory/professional-licensure-and-certification/index.html
Catalog
Nursing Programs
You’ll find additional information in our Catalog, including the different degrees offered, descriptions of the courses you’ll take, the department faculty, and much more. You can always live chat or contact us with questions.
Locations Offered
The Nursing programs are only offered by Berkeley College New Jersey at the Woodland Park campus.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nursing
The Nursing programs at Berkeley College prepare students to enter this rewarding, in-demand field and to enhance their skills and expand their career opportunities.
The LPN to BSN program is the first program of its kind in New Jersey. Licensed, experienced LPNs can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and prepare to:
- Enhance critical thinking skills and take on leadership roles in the healthcare setting
- Provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions
- Pursue graduate-level education
- Participate in the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN)
The Practical Nurse Certificate program prepares students to:
- Develop the skills necessary to obtain accurate vital signs, immobilize injured limbs, practice infection control, dress wounds, and effectively communicate with other healthcare providers
- Provide care to individuals across the lifespan to include infants, children, adults, and elderly clients
- Participate in the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN)
For further details about the requirements and licensure process in the State of New Jersey, visit the Nursing programs, and read Berkeley’s Accreditation and Regulatory Information.
The College considers students for admission to degree and certificate programs on the basis of future potential, the motivation and interest to succeed in a chosen profession, and past academic achievement.
Graduation from high school or the equivalent is a basic requirement for admission to degree and certificate programs. In evaluating candidates, the Committee on Admissions takes into consideration your individual interests, your motivation to succeed in a chosen profession, and prior academic achievement. Basic requirements for admission include graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent and an entrance exam or SAT/ACT scores. Applicants to some programs offered within the School of Health Studies may have additional requirements, including successful completion of the HESI® Admission Assessment (A2) with Critical Thinking entrance examination. Documentation of successful completion of high school or the equivalent must be submitted to the College prior to starting classes.
A personal interview is strongly recommended. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Director of Admissions at the campus of their choice to arrange for an appointment with an Admissions Associate. For further information, students may also call the College at 866-317-6087 or email info@BerkeleyCollege.edu.
Berkeley maintains a rolling admissions policy, so students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applicants will be notified of a decision as soon as all credentials have been evaluated. Certain programs may have specific application deadline requirements.
For further questions about the enrollment process, schedule an appointment with an associate.
The Nursing programs are only offered by Berkeley College New Jersey at the Woodland Park campus.
With advanced skills and training, BSN graduates can qualify for higher-level positions and pursue graduate degrees. Registered Nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their family members. Most RNs work as part of a team with physicians and other healthcare specialists. Some Registered Nurses also oversee licensed practical nurses, nursing assistants, and home health aides.
Graduates from the LPN to BSN Degree program often obtain employment in a variety of settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Physicians’ offices
- Outpatient clinics
- Schools
- Home healthcare services
- Nursing care facilities
Graduates from the Practical Nurse Certificate program often begin careers working in:
- Physicians’ offices
- Clinics
- Nursing homes
- Assisted living facilities
- Rehabilitation centers
- Home healthcare settings
Professional Licensure & Certification
Information about professional licensure and/or certification requirements for this program is available online at: https://berkeleycollege.edu/about/accreditation-regulatory/professional-licensure-and-certification/index.html
LPN to BSN Admissions Requirements
Applicants to the LPN to BSN program must a) have completed an accredited Practical Nurse program in the United States, b) possess an unrestricted active or inactive practical nurse license, and c) have completed a minimum of 2,080 hours of work as an LPN within the last two years.
In addition to fulfilling the College's admissions requirements, candidates must also:
- Provide proof of having completed an accredited Practical Nurse program in the United States, as evidenced by submission of an official practical nursing school transcript.
- Possess an unrestricted active or inactive license as a practical nurse from the United States or a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) with no active discipline or restrictions on the license.
- Have worked a minimum of 2,080 hours within the last two years as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Employer verification of this employment is required.
- Submit two professional letters of reference, with at least one from a current or recent employer/supervisor.
- Complete a commercially prepared nursing entrance examination.
The Nursing Department chairperson, or designee, will review all admissions documents to determine student eligibility. Once accepted into the program, applicants will be required to submit a physical assessment by a licensed practitioner. Required immunization and communicable disease history will meet requirements of affiliating agencies as well as New Jersey regulations.
For LPN to BSN program cost information, log onto BerkeleyCollege.edu/admissions/tuition-financial-aid.
Register for the HESI Entrance Examination:
- Go to https://evolve.elsevier.com/ and select "Student."
- Click on "Register for Distance Testing" under HESI Exams.
- Click the orange “Register for this now” button.
- Click the “Redeem/Checkout” button.
- Enter your personal information into the designated fields and click “Continue.” Your password will require a minimum of seven characters (alpha numeric). Please avoid using any special characters.
- Fill out the section “Tell us about your institution.” The institution name is Berkeley College, and the city is Woodland Park.
- Under "Program Type" choose “Nursing-BSN.”
Testimonials
Kristin Trainor
LPN to BSN - Berkeley College Alumna
“I’ve appreciated every one of my professors. They were all very passionate and got to know us. It felt like they were truly invested in our learning. Classmates who came from other schools hadn’t always had the same type of personal learning experience that I’d had. The hands-on learning using simulations was very helpful. I got an excellent understanding of ‘why’ and ‘how’ things happen—everything made sense and the professors made it very interesting at the same time.”
Jessica Viglianti
LPN to BSN - Berkeley College Student
“Berkeley College has been a blessing to me! I looked at other schools and I liked that LPN-BSN was a hybrid program and the Financial Aid staff were very helpful. I loved my clinical rotation in the ER, it’s where I hope to work. I also plan to continue my education to be a Nurse Practitioner.”
