What better time to launch an effort to ease the burden of health care professionals than during National Nurses Week, May 6-12? 

The new Thomas Edison State University Accelerated BSN BAYADA Scholars Track at Cooper University Health Care was created to combat the nursing shortage facing the health care industry, Cooper Health announced May 8. 

Ann and Mark Baiada, the founder and chairman of BAYADA Home Health Care, donated $5 million to create BAYADA Education. The nonprofit then organized the partnership between the Trenton university and Camden-based health care provider to create the scholars track. 

The first cohort starts later this year. The track will offer students in TESU’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program clinical site experience at Cooper and at BAYADA Home Health Care in addition to employment opportunities at Cooper after graduation, the health care provider said. 

“Today, more than ever, we need nurses who are skilled, compassionate, and prepared. We are honored to partner with BAYADA Education and TESU to create this unique nursing experience where students will learn in an advanced academic clinical setting alongside of some of the nation’s top nurses and physician specialists,” George Norcross III, chairman of the board of trustees, Cooper University Health Care, said in a statement. 

Working to solve a problem 

According to a January PBS report, the annual turnover rate for registered nurses was 22.5% nationwide in 2022. However, in New Jersey, that number was 26%. Edna Cadmus, executive director of the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing, told the media outlet that “nurses were severely affected emotionally from the stressors that they went underwent” during and after the pandemic. 

TESU’s 15-month accelerated BSN degree program is designed for adults who have earned a bachelor’s degree and are interested in becoming a registered nurse. Cooper said it is ideal for both recent college graduates as well as midcareer professionals “who want to find meaningful and mission-driven work.”  

“This innovative partnership builds on TESU’s highly successful nursing program and addresses the critical nursing shortage by creating a new seamless pathway for aspiring nurses to excel in their careers,” said TESU President Merodie Hancock. 

Mark Baiada added that the partnership helps solve two societal problems: individuals searching for a meaningful profession and the nursing shortage. 

“I am so happy to see this partnership come to fruition,” Baiada said. 

More efforts around NJ

Several Garden State organizations and universities have launched initiatives aimed at supporting current and future nurses. 

In April, the Jefferson Health Nurse Emeritus program, a mentoring effort for new RNs, expanded to professionals from outside the health care system. In February, Atlantic Health System and William Paterson University signed a framework agreement aimed at boosting the nursing and health care workforce. 

Additionally, established programs have received more funding to enhance their offerings, such as: 

• $3.8 million in federal funding for Holy Name Hospital’s Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing;
• $782,000 in federal funding for New Jersey City University’s online nursing education program; and
• A $950,650 federal grant for Rutgers School of Nursing to expand training opportunities.