Rowan University and Virtua Health are joining forces to address the state’s nursing shortage with a brand-new state-of-the-art facility that seeks to reshape nursing education.

University officials, including those from Virtua Health, as well as local and state governments, came together inside the Samuel H. Jones Innovation Center on the West Campus to celebrate the future of Rowan on Feb. 14.

Currently, in its early stages of construction the university seeks to build a new home, the Rowan-Virtua Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions (Rowan-Virtua SNHP).

The new building will house all of Rowan’s nursing programs, the 42,200-square-foot structure will feature cutting-edge simulation labs, virtual reality training, and hands-on clinical experiences with Virtua Health professionals. 

After its completion, the facility will also be widely open to 120 students enrolled in Rowan-Virtua SNHP’s recently launched four-year nursing program. With the Cooperative Bachelors of Science In Nursing (BSN) program growing rapidly—already drawing over 1,100 applicants in the first two years. 

“We all know that in health care, the need for well-trained nurses is substantial,” said Rowan University President Ali Houshmand. “We are so fortunate that we have two amazing partnerships that will help us meet that need. One is with Virtua Health and the other is with the Salvas, who have been so generous in providing the gift for this wonderful new addition to the university.”

The collaboration comes at a time when hospitals across the nation are grappling with staffing shortages and the increased demand for well-trained nurses.

“We expect many of the graduates of the Cooperative BSN program to find work in the Virtua Health System – and Virtua is committed to that, and has a Nurturing Nurses program for the registered nurse (RN)-BSN that provides support for RNs working at Virtua to complete their BSN in Rowan’s RN-BSN program. There are many other places in the state and region in great need of nurses, so we believe it will not be difficult for our graduates to find positions,” said Dr. Peter Rattigan, Dean of the Rita & Larry Salva School of Nursing & Health Professions. 

In addition to Virtua Health, Rowan’s Cooperative BSN graduates will have the opportunities to work in a wide range of healthcare settings which include hospitals, outpatient centers, home health care, hospice, and pediatric mobile units. With 730 hours of clinical experience that are built within the program, nursing students will be able to graduate with extensive hands-on experiences, making them competitive candidates for positions across the state and nationwide. 

“We see a vibrant nursing program with BSN, Master of Science In Nursing (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs running in 10 years time. For the Cooperative BSN program, we expect to expand by about 50% from the current cohort size within the next 2 years. With the need for new nurses in the region, we are prepared to expand far beyond that over the next 10 years – but if so, we may need a new addition to the nursing building.”

Currently, Rowan is hiring an additional teaching professor to start in Fall 2025 who will be part of the undergraduate faculty in Rowan Nursing. The first class of four-year nursing students, and consecutive classes, will move into their new building on the West Campus in the Fall of 2026.

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