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Cooper University Health Care is expanding its mission to build New Jersey’s nursing workforce. 

Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional and Stockton University announced a new Memorandum of Understanding April 14. The agreement establishes an academic-clinical collaboration designed to expand educational opportunities in South Jersey. 

The collaboration creates new pathways for eligible Cooper University Health Care team members at all locations to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees at Stockton University. 

Cooper employees will also receive a 20% tuition discount per credit. Additionally, the university will work with Cape Regional on career services and recruitment initiatives. 

The agreement follows a similar arrangement announced in March with Drexel University in Philadelphia. 

Officials said the new Cooper-Stockton academic partnership will focus on workforce development, career advancement, and long-term recruitment and retention of nursing professionals in the region.

Opening doors

“As the leading academic health system in the region, educating the next generation of medical professionals is an integral part of our mission,” George Norcross III, chairman, Cooper University Health Care, said in a statement. “Partnering with Stockton University, we are investing in the future of nursing and the health care workforce in the Jersey shore communities we serve.” 

Stockton University President Joe Bertolino said the partnership opens doors “for aspiring and current health care professionals while directly supporting the health and well-being of our local communities.” 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects more than 189,000 openings for registered nurses each year, on average, through 2034. New Jersey is facing a shortage of 11,400 nurses by 2030, according to RegisteredNursing.org. 

In July 2024, Cape Regional Health System officially joined Cooper University Health Care to create Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional. The facility earned a 2026 Specialty Excellence Award from Healthgrades last October.

U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings, Stockton landed at No. 158 among all New Jersey universities; No. 38 for social mobility; and No. 181 for best value.