BestCare College LPN to RN Program Guide 2026: Curriculum, Costs & NCLEX Prep

Program Overview and Mission

BestCare College, located in East Orange, New Jersey, offers an Associate of Science in Registered Nursing through its LPN to RN bridge program. This program is specifically designed for licensed practical nurses who want to advance their careers by earning their registered nursing credentials. Built upon Virginia Henderson’s 14 Basic Human Needs framework, the curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with extensive hands-on clinical experience to prepare graduates for the complex demands of modern healthcare delivery.

The program recognizes the valuable experience that LPNs bring to their nursing education. By awarding 9 credits for prior practical nursing education, BestCare acknowledges the foundational competencies that students have already developed, allowing them to focus on the advanced clinical reasoning, pharmacology, and leadership skills that distinguish registered nurses from licensed practical nurses. This bridge approach creates an efficient pathway to career advancement without requiring LPNs to repeat content they have already mastered.

The college’s emphasis on culturally sensitive care for diverse populations reflects the demographics of the communities it serves in the greater Newark metropolitan area. New Jersey’s diverse population requires healthcare providers who can communicate effectively across cultures, understand health disparities, and adapt their care approaches to meet the needs of patients from varied backgrounds. BestCare’s curriculum weaves cultural competence throughout its nursing courses rather than treating it as a standalone topic.

For nurses exploring educational pathways at various levels, comparing bridge programs with traditional nursing degree structures can provide useful context. Our guide to Howard University’s pharmaceutical fellowship offers perspective on advanced health education pathways.

Curriculum Structure: Five Trimesters

The BestCare College LPN to RN program is organized across five trimesters, each spanning 15 weeks of instruction excluding holidays and examination periods. This trimester-based structure allows for a more intensive pace than traditional semester programs, enabling students to complete their Associate of Science degree in approximately two years while maintaining a manageable weekly course load.

Trimester 1 establishes the scientific and communication foundations with General Chemistry, English Composition, RN Fundamental Transitions, and RN Pharmacology, totaling 14 credits. The Fundamental Transitions course is particularly important as it bridges the gap between LPN practice and the expanded scope of RN responsibilities, introducing students to the critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills that registered nurses must demonstrate.

Trimester 2 builds clinical depth with Anatomy and Physiology, Physical Assessment, Medical-Surgical Nursing I, and Human Development for 15 credits. Medical-Surgical Nursing I represents the first major clinical nursing course, requiring students to apply their pharmacology and assessment knowledge to patient care scenarios in acute care settings. Trimester 3 continues with Microbiology, Nutrition, and Maternal and Child Nursing (13 credits), while Trimester 4 addresses Sociology, Gerontological Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, and Psychology (12 credits).

The final Trimester 5 (12 credits) culminates with Medical-Surgical Nursing II, Transition to RN Practice and Leadership, and Communication and Speech, followed by a noncredit NCLEX Review Course. The Transition to RN Practice course specifically addresses the professional responsibilities of registered nurses, including delegation, supervision, interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical decision-making—competencies that are essential for success in both the NCLEX examination and professional practice.

Clinical Training and Simulation Lab

Clinical education is the cornerstone of nursing preparation, and BestCare College provides over 400 hours of clinical and laboratory experiences across its five-trimester program. These hours are distributed thoughtfully across nursing courses, with clinical experiences increasing in complexity and responsibility as students progress through the curriculum.

The clinical progression begins with 45 hours of nursing lab and clinical experience in RNUR 111 (Fundamental Transitions) and continues through increasingly specialized rotations. Medical-Surgical Nursing I and II each include 90 hours of clinical experience, while Maternal and Child Nursing, Gerontological Nursing, and Psychiatric Nursing each provide 45 hours of direct patient care experience. Additional lab hours in the science courses (Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology) add 30 hours each to the hands-on learning total.

The college’s simulation laboratory plays a critical role in preparing students for clinical rotations. Simulation experiences, including Noelle simulations for maternal and child nursing, allow students to practice clinical skills and decision-making in controlled environments before working with actual patients. The final trimester includes a comprehensive SIM Lab test-out that assesses students’ readiness for independent nursing practice—a high-stakes assessment that validates clinical competence across all areas covered in the program.

Clinical placements are arranged at healthcare facilities throughout the northern New Jersey region, exposing students to diverse patient populations and practice environments. These experiences provide the real-world context that classroom learning cannot fully replicate, helping students develop the confidence and clinical judgment that employers value in new registered nurses. For comparison with other health education approaches, our guide to USU School of Medicine shows how clinical training structures vary across health professions.

Admission Requirements for LPN Candidates

BestCare College maintains specific admission requirements that ensure incoming students possess the foundational nursing knowledge and professional experience needed to succeed in the accelerated LPN to RN bridge format. The requirements reflect both regulatory standards set by the New Jersey Board of Nursing and the college’s own assessment of readiness for graduate-level nursing education.

The primary requirement is graduation from a New Jersey Board of Nursing-approved (or equivalent accredited) Practical Nursing Program, documented by official transcripts. Applicants must hold a current New Jersey LPN license and demonstrate a minimum of three months of full-time LPN employment within the preceding two years. This work experience requirement ensures that students enter the program with recent, hands-on nursing experience that provides context for the advanced content they will encounter.

Academic readiness is assessed through a preadmission examination ($50 fee), which evaluates math, reading, and science skills at the level needed for success in the program. Students who score below the benchmark may still be admitted but must complete the ATI Academic Readiness Course to strengthen their foundational skills before beginning the full program. All applicants must also participate in an in-person interview at BestCare College, which allows the admissions team to assess communication skills, motivation, and professional demeanor.

Additional documentation requirements include an admission application with passport photo ($100 fee), official high school transcript, GED certificate, or foreign transcript evaluation, and proof of United States citizenship, permanent residency, or other legal status. Following acceptance, students must complete a drug screening, criminal background check, physical examination with documentation of titers and immunizations, and an initial payment of $3,000.

Program Costs and Financial Planning

The total cost of the BestCare College LPN to RN program is $34,900, covering tuition, fees, and essential learning materials. This investment breaks down into an initial $3,000 payment (covering digital textbooks and online resources), tuition calculated at $405 per credit across all five trimesters, and nursing technology and lab fees of $1,292.50 per trimester for trimesters 2 through 5.

Several important costs are not included in the $34,900 total and should be factored into financial planning. These additional expenses include scrubs and white nursing shoes required for clinical rotations, ATI and HESI assessment packages that support NCLEX preparation, supplementary NCLEX-RN review course materials, a $400 graduation fee, New Jersey Board of Nursing licensing application fees, and the NCLEX-RN examination fee. Students should budget an additional $2,000-3,000 for these supplementary costs to avoid financial surprises during the program.

The college’s refund policy follows a graduated schedule. Students who withdraw within the first 72 hours or first week of a trimester receive a full refund minus a $150 registration fee. The retention percentage increases progressively through week 7, after which no refund is available. This policy underscores the importance of careful consideration before enrollment and early communication with the admissions office if circumstances change.

When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of the program, consider that registered nurses in New Jersey earn a median annual salary of approximately $89,000-95,000, significantly higher than LPN salaries in the same market. The $34,900 investment typically pays for itself within the first year of practice at RN salary levels, making the LPN to RN bridge one of the highest-ROI educational investments available in healthcare.

Accreditation and Regulatory Approvals

BestCare College holds multiple layers of accreditation and regulatory approval that validate the quality of its nursing education and ensure that graduates are eligible for licensure. Understanding these credentials is essential for prospective students evaluating the program’s legitimacy and the portability of their degree.

The college is licensed by the New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education to award associate degrees, establishing its legal authority to confer the Associate of Science in Registered Nursing credential. Institutional accreditation is provided by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which evaluates the college’s overall educational quality, student outcomes, and administrative practices. The nursing program specifically is approved by the New Jersey Board of Nursing, which sets and enforces standards for nursing education programs operating in the state.

Perhaps most importantly for nursing students, the program has received Initial Accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). ACEN accreditation is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and is widely regarded as the standard of quality for nursing education programs. This accreditation facilitates credit transfer to BSN programs and is recognized by employers across the healthcare industry as evidence of program quality.

NCLEX Preparation and Pass Rates

The ultimate measure of a nursing program’s effectiveness is its graduates’ performance on the NCLEX-RN examination, the national licensing test that determines eligibility to practice as a registered nurse. BestCare College has demonstrated strong NCLEX outcomes, with pass rates of 91.67% in 2020, 100% in 2021, and 80% in 2022.

NCLEX preparation is integrated throughout the program rather than concentrated at the end. Each nursing course includes content aligned with the NCLEX test plan, and assessments are designed to mimic the format and complexity of NCLEX questions. The ATI and HESI assessment packages used throughout the program provide ongoing benchmarking of student readiness, allowing both students and faculty to identify and address knowledge gaps before they become obstacles to examination success.

The dedicated noncredit NCLEX Review Course at the end of the program provides intensive, focused preparation for the examination. This course reviews high-yield content areas, teaches test-taking strategies specific to the NCLEX format, and administers practice examinations that simulate the actual testing experience. The combination of integrated preparation throughout the curriculum and concentrated review at the end creates a comprehensive approach to NCLEX readiness.

Academic Standards and Grading Policies

BestCare College maintains rigorous academic standards that reflect the high-stakes nature of nursing practice. The minimum passing grade for the lecture component of every nursing course is 80%, a threshold that exceeds the typical 70% or 75% passing standard at many nursing programs. This elevated standard ensures that graduates have achieved a thorough understanding of the material, not merely a passing familiarity.

In addition to meeting the lecture grade minimum, students must pass all associated laboratory and clinical components of each nursing course. Clinical evaluation is typically pass/fail, based on faculty assessment of the student’s ability to demonstrate required competencies in the clinical setting. Students who fail to meet clinical standards in any course may be required to repeat the entire course, including the lecture component, regardless of their lecture grade.

An 80% cumulative GPA is required for good academic standing and progression in the program. Students who fall below this threshold may be placed on academic probation and given a specific timeframe to improve their performance. The program must also be completed within a maximum time frame, preventing indefinite enrollment and ensuring that students’ clinical skills remain current. These policies, while demanding, serve the important purpose of ensuring that every graduate who sits for the NCLEX-RN is prepared to practice safely and competently.

Career Outcomes and Job Placement

BestCare College’s job placement rates speak to the program’s effectiveness in preparing graduates for the nursing workforce. The college has achieved remarkable placement outcomes: 92.3% in 2020, 92.9% in 2021, and 100% in 2022. These figures indicate that graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN are successfully transitioning into registered nursing positions, often within months of completing the program.

The New Jersey healthcare market presents particularly strong demand for registered nurses. The state’s dense population, extensive hospital network, and aging demographics create consistent need for qualified RNs across acute care, long-term care, ambulatory care, and community health settings. Graduates of LPN to RN bridge programs bring an advantage that new graduates of traditional programs often lack: direct patient care experience as licensed practical nurses. This prior experience, combined with the advanced education provided by the BestCare program, makes bridge graduates especially attractive to employers.

The Associate of Science degree earned at BestCare also positions graduates for further educational advancement. Many employers now prefer or require BSN-prepared nurses, and BestCare’s ACEN accreditation facilitates seamless transfer of credits to BSN completion programs. Several New Jersey universities offer RN-to-BSN pathways that allow working nurses to complete their bachelor’s degree while maintaining employment—an increasingly common pathway as the healthcare industry moves toward the Institute of Medicine’s recommendation that 80% of registered nurses hold BSN degrees or higher.

Program completion rates provide additional context for prospective students: 48.1% (2018-2020 cohort), 43.3% (2019-2021), 30.0% (2020-2022), and 46.7% (2021-2023). These rates reflect the demanding nature of the program and the challenges that working LPNs face in balancing employment, family responsibilities, and intensive academic study. Students who are aware of these completion statistics can plan accordingly, ensuring they have adequate support systems and time management strategies in place before enrollment. Students interested in other nursing pathways may want to explore our guide to Dominican University’s social work program for adjacent health and human services career options.

Making Your Decision: Is BestCare Right for You?

Choosing a nursing program is a significant professional and financial decision that deserves careful consideration. BestCare College’s LPN to RN program is well-suited for licensed practical nurses in the New Jersey area who want a structured, clinically intensive pathway to registered nurse licensure. The program’s strengths include its focused LPN-to-RN bridge design, strong clinical training component, solid NCLEX pass rates, and excellent job placement outcomes.

Prospective students should weigh several factors in their decision. The $34,900 total cost represents a substantial investment, though it is competitive with similar programs in the northern New Jersey market and delivers strong return on investment given the salary differential between LPN and RN positions. The 80% minimum grade requirement is more demanding than many nursing programs, which means students must be prepared for consistent academic excellence throughout all five trimesters.

The program’s completion rates, while reflective of industry-wide challenges in nursing education, suggest that not every student who begins the program will finish. Success requires strong time management, adequate financial resources to cover the full program duration, employer flexibility for clinical rotation schedules, and family support systems that can accommodate the demands of intensive nursing study. Students who plan ahead and build these supports before enrollment significantly improve their probability of successful completion.

For those who commit to the program and succeed, the rewards are substantial: a marketable associate degree, eligibility for RN licensure in all 50 states, immediate access to a robust job market, and a foundation for further educational and professional advancement. The nursing profession continues to offer strong job security, competitive compensation, and the deeply rewarding experience of making a meaningful difference in patients’ lives every day.