At a time when New Jersey faces a critical projected nursing shortage, Thomas Edison State University (TESU) celebrated a historic milestone recently as the first cohort of the BAYADA Scholars Track graduated from its Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
The graduation, held during a pinning ceremony at the New Jersey State Museum, marks the culmination of a unique 15-month “immersive” partnership between TESU, Cooper University Health Care, and BAYADA Education. The program was designed to fast-track second-degree students into the workforce, addressing a state-level demand where current projections suggest New Jersey will be one of the top 10 states facing the largest RN shortages by 2036.
The graduating class represents a diverse group of professionals—including former biochemists and psychologists—who chose to pivot their careers toward health care. These “second-degree” students are increasingly vital to the healthcare ecosystem, bringing prior professional maturity and diverse academic perspectives to the bedside.
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Immersive Training: Students complete nearly all clinical rotations at Cooper University Hospital, a Level I trauma center.
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Accelerated Timeline: The rigorous 60-credit program is completed in just 15 months.
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Job Guarantee: Several graduates have already accepted conditional job offers to join the nursing staff at Cooper University Health Care immediately upon licensure.
New Jersey’s nursing landscape is currently under pressure from an aging workforce and a high rate of retirement. According to the 2025 New Jersey Nursing Data & Analysis Report, approximately 6% of RNs in the state intend to retire within the next two years.
“Our goal is to increase the number of nurses to address the persistent nursing shortage and improve the quality of clinical training,” Mark Baiada, chairman of BAYADA Education said. “These students consistently speak highly of their time at Cooper and are entering practice exceptionally well prepared.”
The pinning ceremony also served to recognize individual excellence in patient care. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students—a prestigious international honor created by the DAISY Foundation to celebrate “the heart of nursing”—was presented to two standout students:
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Sarah Mansfield (BAYADA Scholars Track)
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Michaela Donnelly (Standard Track)
The award highlights students who demonstrated exceptional compassion, advocacy, and clinical skill during their rotations.
While this inaugural class was small, interest in the program has surged. TESU officials confirmed that 60 students are currently enrolled in the track, with the largest cohort to date scheduled to begin in January 2026.
“Seeing the first cohort successfully complete this innovative pathway affirms the strength of our collaborative nursing programs,” Merodie Hancock, president of TESU said. “This is the power of partnership to prepare the skilled nurses our communities urgently need.”
