Expanding Mental Health Nursing in New Jersey Grant Program

The RN-BSN degree program is designed for experienced RNs who want a quality education with the convenience and flexibility that an online program can offer.

We offer open and rolling admissions, so RNs can enroll any day of the year. To meet the needs of busy RN’s and increase student success, the BSN program class sizes are small, offered during 8-week sessions, and provide four (4) one-week breaks during the year. All students have an assigned nursing advisor to help them plan their educational journey and register for appropriate courses.

The program is self-paced, and students can complete all BSN program nursing courses in as little as 18 months. Students can also earn maximum credit for prior learning, and up to 63 credits in course equivalencies may be applied for passing the NCLEX-RN exam.

• Great for graduates of associate degree and diploma programs of nursing
• Requires a minimum of 120 credits
• Includes 12 graduate credits that may be applied to the Master of Science in Nursing program at Thomas Edison State University.
• Two consecutive BSN courses are offered during three 16-week semesters (July, November, and March)
• Attend one of our information sessions to learn more!

Interested? Get started now by completing the eligibility form!

• The Psychiatric Nurse Preceptor Certificate program is slated to begin in Summer 2024.
• Students must already possess an active RN license and a BSN from a regionally accredited institution.
• This will be a 3 course (9 credit) program.
• Email nursing@tesu.edu for more information.

If you would like to be contacted once the program is ready for students, please complete the eligibility form!

Depending on the availability of grant funds, the cost of tuition and books may be fully covered for RNs who qualify. Please note that students who are eligible for other sources of funding, i.e. employer tuition reimbursement and GI Bill Benefits, must use up those sources of funding first.

Funding Eligibility Requirements:

• RN license
• Employed in or interested in the field of psychiatric/mental health nursing in New Jersey
• Legally allowed to work in the United States
• Admittance into the TESU RN-BSN, PMHNP, or Psychiatric Nurse Preceptor Certificate program
• Completion of the eligibility form
• Completion of the 23-24 and 24-25 FAFSA form, use school code: 011648; the FAFSA must be completed to determine eligibility for grant funding
• Preference is given to RNs in the local area (New Jersey, Delaware, New York, and Pennsylvania)
• Preference is given to RNs who are already working in the field of psychiatric/mental health nursing

Ready to make a difference? Our employer partners are looking to hire RNs excited to work in the field of psychiatric/mental health nursing! Learn more about the exciting career opportunities available at:

• Ancora Psychiatric Hospital (APH)
  Located in the Pinelands of southern New Jersey, APH’s dedicated mission is to care and support each person’s journey toward wellness and recovery within a culture of safety. The hospital’s vision is to be recognized as a trusted leader in the provision of quality evidence-based inpatient care. Training and professional development are highly valued and viewed as integral to the overall mission of the hospital.
• Capital Health (CH)
  With multiple locations in the central New Jersey area, CH provides progressive, quality patient care with significant investments in our exceptional physicians, nurses, and staff, as well as advanced technology.
• Trenton Psychiatric Hospital (TPH)
  Originally founded by Dorothea Lynde Dix, a pioneer in the field of mental health, TPH believes in providing a holistic approach to patient care, from the initial assessment to the treatment of the human response to actual or potential health problems. TPH staff ensure the patient and the patient’s family competent, compassionate care as we collectively achieve individualized patient care goals.