Rowan and Inspira Health introduce opportunity to save while earning B.S.N.

Rowan College of South Jersey, Rowan University and Inspira Health this week introduced the Pathway to Nursing, which offers current and aspiring Inspira employees the opportunity to save big while earning their B.S.N.

ā€œIā€™m proud to be here to celebrate another great opportunity for our students to be successful in the medical arena,ā€ Frank DiMarco, Gloucester County board of commissioners director said. ā€œNot only does the Pathway to Nursing program offer students an excellent career path, but it also helps solve the major nursing shortage that our region and nation are struggling to address.ā€

Since April 2022, Inspira employees and RCSJ students have benefited from the health care giantā€™s premier partnership with the college. Students have gained access to new programs developed with Inspiraā€™s guidance, exclusive scholarships, priority clinical placements at Inspira facilities and pre- and post-graduation employment opportunities; while full-time, part-time and per diem employees of Inspira receive a 50% discount on tuition and fees when they enroll in any of RCSJā€™s 100-plus degree and certificate programs.

ā€œWe all know that there is a national shortage of nurses. Our nurses are our partners in care and crucial to the care team,ā€ Amy Mansue, CEO and president of Inspira Health, said. ā€œThis program will help us expand the number of nurses in our region and for that, we are truly grateful.ā€

Students following the new Pathway to Nursing utilize the ā€œ3+1ā€ Nursing program, offered in collaboration with Rowan University, to complete their first three years of education at RCSJ and their final year at Rowan University ā€” earning industry-valued credentials along the way that qualify them for employment at Inspira and other health care providers in a little as three months.

Full- and part-time employees of Inspira will have their fourth-year tuition at Rowan University paid in full by Inspira, in addition to the 50% discount on RCSJ tuition and fees. During their senior year, students are only responsible for the cost of textbooks and other educational materials; however, full- and part-time Inspira employees are eligible for textbook reimbursement.

ā€œIf you look across America, where else can you find an opportunity to go to school, get a degree and not be deeply indebted, and have a job waiting for you after that?ā€ Dr. Ali Houshmand, Rowan University president, asked. ā€œWe have removed the need for such debt through this great partnership because we have leadership at the elected level that is forward-looking and willing to partner with us to provide resources, whether itā€™s infrastructure, political support or financial support for students.ā€

The Pathway to Nursing is designed to provide industry-valued certificates ā€” including CNA, Medication Aide, Medical Assistant, Patient Care Technician and LPN ā€” in three to nine months, with full-time attendance. These certificates, offered through RCSJā€™s Division of Career and Technical Education, provide rapid employability and lead to acceptance into RCSJā€™s Nursing program. The collegeā€™s partnership with Rowan University provides a seamless transition to the four-year university for students who choose to pursue their B.S.N. or M.S.N.

The ā€œ3+1ā€ Nursing program is open to all individuals who meet academic criteria; employment with Inspira is not required for enrollment. However, to enjoy the full benefits of the Pathway to Nursing, RCSJ students are encouraged to explore Careers.InspiraHealthNetwork.org to discover employment opportunities for job-seekers at all levels of education and secure their place on a pathway to graduating with minimal debt and gainful employment.

The event concluded with a groundbreaking ceremony at the Inspira Nursing & Health Professions Center. The expansion project currently underway, paid for through the Securing our Children’s Future Bond Act, will add eight fully equipped laboratory spaces and allow for a 25% increase in the number of students accepted into the collegeā€™s health care certificate programs.

To learn more about the Pathway to Nursing and the 30-plus health care degree and certificate programs offered through RCSJ, click here.