RWJBarnabas Health began a new era on Oct. 10 after one of the nation’s oldest and New Jersey’s longest-operating nursing school opened a new facility in Oceanport.
The RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing welcomed its first class of 53 students to a state-of-the-art facility that augments the system’s longstanding Elizabeth-based nursing school, allowing the system to address the state’s projected nursing shortage by educating and preparing more nursing students, particularly those residing or working in the system’s southern region.
New Jersey is projected to face one of the most severe nursing shortages in the U.S. by 2025, driven by retirements, declining enrollment and rising health-care demand.
The new expanded Oceanport site is located at 283 Sherrill Ave. in Squier Hall on the former Fort Monmouth. It features advanced technology, experienced faculty, and hands-on training opportunities. The location also serves as the home for The Institute for Nursing Excellence at RWJBarnabas Health.
“Without our 11,000 nurses, there would be no RWJBarnabas Health,” said Mark E. Manigan, president and chief executive officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “Our investment in nursing merely starts with the School of Nursing, but it does not end there. Through our Institute for Nursing Excellence and our Center for Professional Development, we provide support and training opportunities for the growth of our nurses throughout their entire career.”
Founded in 1891 as the Elizabeth General Training School, the RWJBarnabas Health Trinitas School of Nursing was officially renamed The RWJBarnabas Health School of Nursing in March and will continue to provide classes and training at its northern location on the Union College of Union County campus in Elizabeth.
“We appreciate the incredible partnership and collaboration with UCNJ’s administration and leaders who were instrumental in making this possible,” said Nancy Holecek, executive vice president and chief nursing officer, RWJBarnabas Health. “Our collective vision for providing students with a learning environment conducive to developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to become competent, professional nurses will continue to be reflected in our nursing school philosophy.”
“Today, we celebrate that achievement, the expansion of RWJBarnabas Health’s School of Nursing with our first class of 53 students; 724 students from our Elizabeth location and now Oceanport are pursuing their dream of becoming a nurse,” said Mary Beth Russell, senior vice president, The Center for Professional Development, Innovation, Research & The Institute for Nursing Excellence.
