In a sign of its continued commitment to delivering high-impact, hands-on education – and an effort to assist in a sector that is expecting to have a major shortage of workers – New Jersey City University has revamped its Nursing Education Center in a newly renovated state-of-the-art facility in Rossey Hall.
The renovated center, which reopened for students last Thursday, will help prepare nursing students for the evolving demands of the health care field, NJCU officials said.
NJCU officials say the renovated Nursing Education Center represents a significant investment in nursing education, incorporating the latest technology and simulation equipment to provide students with real-world learning experiences in a controlled environment.
These enhancements will better prepare NJCU nursing graduates to meet the critical healthcare needs of New Jersey and beyond, as the state grapples with a critically low number of qualified nurses for New Jersey’s population.
The nursing shortage statistics are staggering.
By 2030, New Jersey is projected to experience a shortage of 10,000 nurses across the state. Currently, New Jersey’s nursing shortage is ranked third most severe in the country — behind only the two most populous states in the nation according to the 2020 census figures, California (39.5 million) and Texas (29.1 million), compared to New Jersey which is only the 11th most populated state at 9.29 million.
Dr. Esther Nir, interim dean of the College of Professional Studies, said the importance of the center cannot be overstated.
“As New Jersey faces a critical nursing shortage, NJCU is positioned as a leader in experiential learning strategies to address this challenge head-on,” she said. “These state-of-the-art facilities and technologies will not only ensure our graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of modern health care, but they will also help us attract and retain more students in our nursing programs.”
The upgraded facility includes several cutting-edge components designed to enhance student learning and clinical preparedness.
A fully equipped medication room featuring an OmniCell system and SimCart Elite to simulate real-world hospital medication management and support safe administration practices. These systems mirror those used in healthcare facilities, giving students hands-on experience with industry-standard technology.
The facility also includes a dedicated staging space that provides faculty with pre-organized supplies for student skills training and simulated experiences, ensuring efficient and effective learning sessions.
