In a major effort to bolster New Jersey’s healthcare workforce, Rowan University and Holy Name’s Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing have announced a new dual-enrollment partnership. The program provides a streamlined, affordable pathway for nursing students to advance from diplomas to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
The initiative, set to launch in Fall 2026, addresses the growing demand for highly educated nurses by integrating university-level coursework directly into the professional diploma tracks at Holy Name.
The partnership creates two distinct tracks designed to meet students where they are in their clinical training:
- RN-to-BSN Track: Students complete their clinical nursing coursework on-site at Holy Name while simultaneously taking general education and elective courses through Rowan Online. After finishing four semesters at Holy Name, students transition seamlessly into Rowan’s BSN curriculum.
- Practical Nurse (PN) Track: For those in the LPN program, Rowan’s general education requirements are embedded directly into the Holy Name curriculum. This ensures that graduates are already academically prepared if they choose to pursue the LPN-to-RN pathway later in their careers.
“This is about creating opportunity, elevating careers, and ultimately changing lives,” Maria Nadelstumph, AVP of Workforce Development & Healthcare Strategy for Rowan Online said.
By aligning the clinical expertise of Holy Name with the academic infrastructure of Rowan University, the program aims to reduce the time and cost associated with earning a degree.
Michele Acito, DNP, executive vice president and chief nursing officer at Holy Name, emphasized that the partnership is “student-centered,” focusing on professional growth and high-quality care. “We are creating a seamless approach that supports professional growth while strengthening the nursing workforce,” Acito said.
The inaugural Fall 2026 cohort is expected to be significant, with projected enrollment including:
- 85 to 90 students in the RN program.
- Approximately 15 students in the LPN program.
The partnership comes at a critical time as New Jersey health care providers continue to prioritize BSN-prepared nurses to improve patient outcomes and meet national accreditation standards.
