Brookdale Community College Nursing Programs: What to Know (2026)
Public community college nursing in Monmouth County: an ACEN-accredited Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) that prepares you for NCLEX-RN, plus an LPN advanced-placement pathway. Figures below come from Brookdale’s published outcomes and tuition disclosures—confirm deadlines and cohort data with the Health Sciences Institute and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
Brookdale lists formal acute-care affiliates across the central New Jersey coast (including Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJBarnabas Health hospitals) and has publicized a workforce partnership with Monmouth Medical Center that includes scholarship support for eligible students—strong regional clinical access for an ADN cohort model with fall and spring starts.
Overview & Why Students Choose Brookdale Community College
Brookdale Community College is a public two-year college in Lincroft, Monmouth County, serving one of New Jersey’s most densely populated coastal corridors between New York City and Philadelphia. Its Health Sciences Institute delivers the Nursing Program, A.A.S. (program code NURSG)—a 64-credit, five-semester sequence after prerequisites that culminates in eligibility for the NCLEX-RN. Instruction blends campus classes, skills laboratory work, and hospital-based clinical rotations.
Unlike some university-centered guides, Brookdale’s pathway is squarely pre-licensure community college nursing: there is no BSN awarded here, though the department references BSN completion partnerships for graduates who later transfer. Licensed practical nurses may enter through an Advanced Placement Challenge in the summer to accelerate toward the same A.A.S. credential.
Brookdale’s Nursing Program Outcomes page lists a 90.16% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2025 (110 of 122 first-time test takers), with a national comparison percentage on the same table. Confirm newer cohorts on that page and cross-check quarterly Board statistics via the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing.
Reasons students choose Brookdale
Affordable county-college tuition tiers
Brookdale publishes separate per-credit rates for Monmouth County residents, other New Jersey counties, and out-of-state students (see Tuition & Fees). Financial aid cost-of-attendance figures for 2025–2026 appear on the financial aid site.
Documented NCLEX reporting
The college publishes multi-year NCLEX-RN tables with candidate counts and national benchmarks on its Nursing Program Outcomes page—helpful for trend context beyond a single headline percentage.
Named hospital affiliates
Clinical affiliates include major systems such as Hackensack Meridian Health (e.g., Jersey Shore, Riverview, Ocean University) and RWJBarnabas Health’s Monmouth Medical Center, giving exposure to tertiary and community hospitals.
LPN bridge option
Current New Jersey LPNs can pursue advanced placement credit after a Summer I challenge process, aligning with the statewide LPN-to-RN articulation model.
Nursing Programs Offered
Brookdale’s catalog centers on one degree-bearing pre-licensure program plus an entry route for licensed practical nurses. The college does not award a BSN, MSN, or DNP; graduate nursing is not listed in the NURSG catalog entry reviewed for this guide.
Pre-licensure (RN)
Nursing Program, A.A.S. (ADN pathway)
Sixty-four credits total (24 general education, 40 career studies) culminating in an Associate in Applied Science. Nursing (NURS) coursework begins in semester two after prerequisites. Full-time students typically finish nursing courses in five sequential semesters. Graduates qualify for NCLEX-RN. The program is accredited by ACEN and approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing per the catalog.
Pathway
Advanced Placement (LPN to RN)
Licensed practical nurses holding a current New Jersey LPN license may earn credit for three required courses (11 credits) through the Summer I Advanced Placement Challenge, including skills validation, simulation, and compliance steps outlined on Brookdale’s LPN-to-RN admission page.
Brookdale’s Continuing Education unit may list RN/LPN refresher or review courses separately from the degree program; those are not the A.A.S. pathway. Confirm any non-credit offering directly with Continuing Education.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
According to Brookdale Community College’s Nursing Program Outcomes page (annual NCLEX-RN table, calendar year January–December), the most recent completed cohort shown at publication was 2025: a reported 90.16% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate, with 110 of 122 first-time test takers passing. The same table lists a national pass-rate benchmark for comparison. The 2026 row was marked “in progress” on the page when reviewed.
For New Jersey Board of Nursing quarterly statistics, the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing links to official RN school PDFs (for example, quarterly NCLEX-RN reports). Those documents complement—but may not exactly match—the college’s calendar-year aggregation.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2025) | 90.16% (110 passed / 122 first-time test takers), per Brookdale Nursing Program Outcomes |
| Prior year (2024) | 98.40% (129 passed / 131 test takers), same source—use for trend context; cohort sizes vary |
| Source | Brookdale Nursing Program Outcomes; NJCCN NCLEX resources. Confirm current rates with Brookdale and the New Jersey Board of Nursing. |
NCLEX outcomes change by cohort and reporting window (calendar year vs. fiscal quarter). Always confirm the latest pass rates with Brookdale’s outcomes page and New Jersey’s official nursing board statistics.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
Brookdale enrolls degree-seeking and continuing-education students under policies that may differ by visa status and prior nursing education. Use the checklist below as orientation only—not legal advice.
- English-language proficiency: Minimum TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent scores required for academic admission at Brookdale, if applicable to your applicant category.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Course-by-course evaluations (e.g., WES) if you completed prerequisites outside the United States.
- New Jersey Board of Nursing: For RN licensure by examination or endorsement, confirm documentation, CGFNS, and NCLEX eligibility rules directly with the Board.
- Immigration & clinical placement: Clinical agencies require background checks and compliance; visa status may affect placement availability—coordinate early with the Health Sciences Institute.
Policies change frequently. Verify with Brookdale’s admissions/international office and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
Brookdale’s nursing program is limited-access: applicants complete college admission, submit the nursing program application linked from the Nursing Admission Packet, pass a program-specific admission test after completing high school biology and chemistry prerequisites, and attend an Applicant Forum (typically scheduled twice per year, often in October and March). Placement on the wait list follows forum attendance; after about eight weeks, Brookdale emails wait-list positions.
Before the first NURS course, students must complete a CNA, CHHA, PCA, or PCT training program with in-person clinical skills validation (licensure not required). Conditional acceptance requires grades of C or better in ENGL 121, PSYC 106, BIOL 111, and HESC 107 by specified dates.
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Deadline | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall & Spring cohorts | Rolling admission | Brookdale admits until each class reaches capacity; forums ~Oct & Mar |
| LPN Advanced Placement | Summer I challenge | See Advanced Placement packet; Summer I scheduling per Brookdale |
Admissions snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate (nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Prerequisite grades | C or higher in listed courses for conditional acceptance (see admission packet) |
| Entrance exam | Program-specific admission test after prerequisites (not described as ATI TEAS on the admission overview page) |
| Wait list | Organized by Applicant Forum date, then application date; email HSIwaitlistinquiry@brookdalecc.edu after the stated window |
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
Brookdale sets per-credit tuition annually by Board of Trustees action. The financial aid office publishes 2025–2026 examples of $332.75 per credit for out-of-county New Jersey residents and $357.75 per credit for out-of-state students on the About Your Financial Aid Offer page. Monmouth County (in-county) rates appear on the Tuition & Fees schedule—use that page for the authoritative tier.
Estimated cost of attendance (full-time, 12+ credits, nine months) for 2025–2026 includes non-tuition budget lines (books, fees, housing, transportation) on the same financial aid page—for example, a total budget of $30,423 living at home or $35,598 living away, before any aid.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Out-of-county NJ (per credit, 2025–26) | $332.75 (published on Brookdale financial aid cost page) |
| Out-of-state (per credit, 2025–26) | $357.75 (same source) |
| Monmouth County | See Tuition & Fees page for current in-county rate |
| Program fees | Clinical, testing, and compliance costs may apply—confirm in the Nursing Admission Packet |
| Source | About Your Financial Aid Offer; Tuition & Fees |
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
Brookdale’s Nursing Program Outcomes page combines NCLEX data with employment survey results. For job placement, the page states that the Class of 2023–2024 was reported as employed at the graduate survey follow-up (methodology described on the outcomes page). Confirm current employment statistics and survey timing with Brookdale.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate (2025) | 90.16% (110/122), per Brookdale Nursing Program Outcomes |
| Graduate employment (example) | Class of 2023–2024: reported employed on departmental survey timeline (Brookdale outcomes page). Confirm methodology and cohort with the program. |
| Source | Nursing Program Outcomes · Confirm current rates with Brookdale and the New Jersey Board of Nursing. |
Is Brookdale Community College the Right Fit for You?
Brookdale fits students who want a state-approved ADN at a public community college price point, can commit to intensive clinical hours (Brookdale notes roughly 30–35 hours per week in the first clinical semester), and are comfortable with a wait-list admission model.
✓ Good fit for students who—
- Live in Monmouth County or can use county tuition tiers and want to stay close to the Jersey Shore clinical market.
- Are ready for CNA/PCT training and Brookdale’s forum-based admissions process.
- Plan to sit for NCLEX-RN and then pursue a BSN through a transfer partnership.
✗ May not be ideal for students who—
- Need a bachelor’s degree in the same four years at the same institution (Brookdale awards the A.A.S., not a BSN).
- Are seeking a fully online pre-licensure RN program—clinical rotations are in-person.
- Prefer standardized TEAS-only admissions without additional forums or wait-list mechanics.
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
Monmouth County is part of the broader New York metropolitan statistical area, with strong demand for bedside nurses in acute care, ambulatory settings, and long-term care. Brookdale’s published affiliates give students exposure to large health systems serving the northern New Jersey coast.
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Hackensack Meridian Health | Brookdale lists Bayshore Medical Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean University Medical Center, and Riverview Medical Center as acute-care affiliates. |
| RWJBarnabas Health | Monmouth Medical Center appears on Brookdale’s clinical affiliate list; the college has also publicized a scholarship and workforce pathway partnership with Monmouth Medical Center. |
| CentraState Healthcare System | Listed among acute-care affiliates for regional community hospital experience. |
Student Experience & Campus Life
The Health Sciences Institute at Brookdale’s Lincroft campus houses nursing skills laboratories, simulation activities referenced in LPN advanced-placement materials, and advising offices. The nursing welcome page links to student clubs, nursing honor society information, and study resources. Expect rigorous clinical compliance (background checks, drug screening, immunizations) as outlined in the admission packet.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Lincroft, NJ
- Address
- 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738, US
- Telephone
- +1 (732) 224-2345 (main)
- Advising
- +1 (732) 224-2555 (Academic Advisor/Counselor per nursing admission page)
- Wait list
- HSIwaitlistinquiry@brookdalecc.edu
- Website
- brookdalecc.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Download the Nursing Admission Packet and note the online application link.
- Compare your transcript to the NURSG catalog sequence (BIOL 111/112/213, ENGL 121/122, PSYC 106/208, HESC courses).
- Schedule a program-specific admission test after completing high school biology and chemistry prerequisites, per Brookdale’s steps.
- Register for the next Applicant Forum and plan for CNA/PCT training if you have not yet completed it.
- Bookmark Nursing Program Outcomes for NCLEX trends.
- Review the financial aid cost of attendance and Tuition & Fees for your residency tier.
- Email questions about wait-list placement only after the eight-week window described on the admission page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brookdale Community College a good school for nursing?
Brookdale offers an ACEN-accredited, New Jersey Board of Nursing–approved A.A.S. nursing program. On its Nursing Program Outcomes page, Brookdale reports a 90.16% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for calendar year 2025 (110 of 122 first-time test takers), with additional years on the same table. Confirm newer cohorts with Brookdale and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
What nursing programs does Brookdale Community College offer?
The degree pathway is the Nursing Program, A.A.S. (catalog code NURSG), which prepares graduates for NCLEX-RN. Licensed practical nurses may qualify for LPN Advanced Placement credit after a Summer I challenge process.
What is the NCLEX-RN pass rate for Brookdale Community College?
Per Brookdale’s Nursing Program Outcomes (annual table), the 2025 first-time pass rate was 90.16% with 122 testers. For Board-published quarterly statistics, use resources linked from the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing.
Does Brookdale require the TEAS exam for nursing?
Brookdale’s admission steps reference a program-specific admission test after prerequisites—not the ATI TEAS branding used by some other programs. Confirm the current exam in the official Nursing Admission Packet.
How does Brookdale’s nursing wait list work?
After you attend an Applicant Forum, Brookdale places you on a wait list ordered first by forum date and then by initial application date. Wait-list inquiries open roughly eight weeks after the forum; use HSIwaitlistinquiry@brookdalecc.edu for projected enrollment timing.
What tuition rates does Brookdale publish for 2025–2026?
The financial aid site lists $332.75 per credit (out-of-county New Jersey) and $357.75 per credit (out-of-state). Monmouth County in-county rates are on the Tuition & Fees page.
What clinical hospitals does Brookdale use?
Published acute-care affiliates include Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean University Medical Center, Riverview Medical Center, Bayshore Medical Center, CentraState Healthcare System, Monmouth Medical Center, and other Hackensack Meridian Health sites—confirm current contracts with the Health Sciences Institute.
Does Brookdale offer LPN to RN?
Yes. Current New Jersey LPNs follow the Advanced Placement Challenge process in Summer I to earn credit toward the same A.A.S. nursing degree.
What health care certification must I finish before nursing clinicals?
Brookdale requires completion of CNA, CHHA, PCA, or PCT training with in-person skills validation before starting the first NURS course; licensure is not required.
References
- Brookdale Community College — Nursing (Health Sciences Institute)brookdalecc.edu nursing
- Brookdale — Nursing Program OutcomesNursing Program Outcomes
- Brookdale — Catalog NURSGcatalog.brookdalecc.edu/programs/NURSG
- Brookdale — Tuition and FeesTuition and Fees
- Brookdale — Financial Aid Offer (tuition examples)About Your Financial Aid Offer
- NJCCN — NCLEX resourcesnjccn.org/nj-nclex
- New Jersey Board of Nursing (Consumer Affairs)njconsumeraffairs.gov/nur
- National Council of State Boards of Nursingncsbn.org
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Francesco Di Siena, RN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for NCLEX alignment with Brookdale Nursing Program Outcomes, ACEN/NJBON accreditation language, and Monmouth County tuition disclosures.
Disclaimer: This page is for general reference only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and the New Jersey Board of Nursing.
Published: March 27, 2026 · Last reviewed: March 27, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy