Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), the Franklin Lakes-based medical technology giant, has announced a $100,000 donation to the Rutgers School of Nursing Student Emergency Fund. The contribution aims to ensure that unexpected financial hurdles do not force future frontline health care workers to abandon their degrees.
The gift comes at a critical time for New Jersey’s healthcare infrastructure, as the state continues to grapple with a persistent nursing shortage. By bolstering this safety net, BD is directly investing in the stability of the local nursing pipeline.
The Student Emergency Fund, established in 2011, provides a “no-fault” financial cushion for both undergraduate and graduate students. Unlike traditional scholarships, these funds are earmarked for sudden, unplanned crises that could derail a student’s academic progress.
In recent semesters, Rutgers nursing students have utilized the fund for:
- Emergency Housing: Covering costs following house fires or displacements.
- Medical Expenses: Managing sudden healthcare bills.
- Academic Essentials: Purchasing required textbooks and covering licensing exam fees.
- Clinical Logistics: Funding transportation to mandatory clinical placements across the state.
“This generous gift from BD reflects a deep commitment to nursing education and to the students who will care for our communities,” Angela Starkweather, dean and Professor of the Rutgers School of Nursing said. “BD’s support helps ensure that temporary setbacks do not become permanent barriers to completing a nursing degree.”
The investment by BD—a company with a global footprint but deep roots in Bergen County—highlights the private sector’s role in addressing public health challenges. New Jersey’s nursing shortage is part of a national trend, but the density of the state’s population makes the need for advanced practice nurses and registered nurses particularly acute.
Starkweather emphasized that the fund supports the “full continuum” of nursing, from entry-level students to those pursuing advanced practice roles. As healthcare needs evolve, the goal is to keep these students in the classroom and, eventually, in New Jersey’s hospitals and clinics.
For BD, the donation aligns with its corporate mission of “Advancing the World of Health.” By supporting the people who will eventually use their medical technologies in clinical settings, the Franklin Lakes firm is closing the loop between innovation and patient care.
