Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional and Stockton University announced on April 15 the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to establish an academic-clinical collaboration aimed at expanding educational opportunities for nurses in southern New Jersey.
The initiative is intended to address the growing demand for highly skilled nursing professionals in the region by creating new pathways for Cooper University Health Care team members to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees at Stockton University. The agreement includes a 20% tuition discount per credit, focusing on workforce development, career advancement, and long-term recruitment and retention of nursing staff.
George E. Norcross III, chairman of Cooper University Health Care, said, “As the leading academic health system in the region, educating the next generation of medical professionals is an integral part of our mission. Partnering with Stockton University, we are investing in the future of nursing and the health care workforce in the Jersey shore communities we serve.”
Stockton University President Joe Bertolino said that service to their region is central to their mission. “This partnership with Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional strengthens that commitment by opening doors for aspiring and current health care professionals while directly supporting the health and well-being of our local communities,” Bertolino said.
The agreement also allows both institutions to explore developing new or customized certificates and graduate programs tailored to evolving workforce needs. In addition to tuition discounts, Stockton will engage with Cape Regional through career services and recruitment efforts. The university offers several health care degrees such as Bachelor’s, Accelerated Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate programs in Nursing.
Kathy Devine, senior vice president and chief nursing executive for Cooper University Health Care said: “This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to investing in our workforce and ensuring high-quality patient care for the communities we serve. By making advanced education more accessible and affordable, we are strengthening both our team members and the future of health care in Cape May County and southern New Jersey.”
Michael Palladino, provost at Stockton University added: “We are proud to partner and support the education and advancement of nurses and health care professionals for our region. This agreement aligns our academic mission with South Jersey’s critical workforce needs while expanding access to high-quality nursing education.” Anthony Mazzarelli, co-CEO at Cooper also said: “Creating clear pathways for professional growth helps ensure we continue to deliver exceptional care while developing the next generation of nursing leaders.”
Participants must meet standard admission requirements at Stockton University as well as pay applicable fees beyond tuition costs. Eligible employees may also receive tuition reimbursement from Cooper as part of its professional development efforts.
