First BAYADA Scholars Cohort Begins Accelerated Nursing Track

On Oct 1, 2024

A revolution in nursing education is underway for the first group of students enrolled in the newly introduced 15-month Thomas Edison State University (TESU) Accelerated BSN BAYADA Scholars Track at Cooper University Health Care (Cooper).

Announced in May, the BAYADA Scholars Track at Cooper is designed to help alleviate the nursing shortage in New Jersey and create more nurses for the community. Students in this track of TESU’s Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing program will complete most of their clinical experiences at Cooper University Hospital, a leading academic medical center that is home to the region’s busiest Level I trauma center.

TESU’s Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing program is designed for students who have completed their undergraduate studies and are looking to transition into a career in nursing.

The partnership was organized by BAYADA Education, a new nonprofit organization created by a $5 million donation from Ann and Mark Baiada. Mark Baiada is the founder and chairman of BAYADA Home Health Care.

“I am so excited to see this innovative partnership in nursing education come to life! The first class of BAYADA Scholars beginning their studies marks an important milestone in our mission to bring more great nurses into the world. This group of extraordinary nursing students will graduate prepared to thrive in the modern health care environment,” Mark Baiada said.

“As a leading academic health system, we provide nursing students exceptional clinical training from a diverse group of expert physicians, advanced practice providers, and nurses, who have significant experience treating and caring for critically ill and injured patients,” said Kathy Devine, DrNP, RN, NEA-BC, SVP and chief nursing executive at Cooper. “Our goal is to create an extraordinary clinical experience for these nursing students so they will be prepared to make a difference on day one as a nurse.”

For those pursuing a career in nursing, the TESU Accelerated BSN BAYADA Scholars Track at Cooper presents a range of opportunities. Students benefit from a unique clinical experience that positions students on a patient care floor at Cooper University Hospital just weeks after starting the program. Students are paired with experienced Cooper nurses in clinical rotations and get the opportunity to learn side-by-side from Cooper’s experts on topics ranging from infection prevention to wound care. This firsthand approach to clinical education seeks to quickly prepare nurses to thrive in modern health care environments.

“This partnership directly addresses New Jersey’s critical need for skilled nurses by providing an accelerated pathway for individuals to enter the healthcare workforce,” said Merodie A. Hancock, PhD, president of TESU. “By combining TESU’s innovative educational model with Cooper’s exceptional clinical training and BAYADA Education’s on-site support, we are empowering students to gain the hands-on experience needed to meet the evolving health care demands in our state. These future nurses will play a vital role in supporting the health and wellness of our communities.”

This innovative collaborative approach is the first of its kind in nursing education. The students’ clinical experiences will be hosted by Cooper University Health Care, a leading academic health system and home to the region’s busiest Level I trauma center, and BAYADA Home Health Care, a leading national provider of complex care at home. Cooper has committed that students who meet the rigorous academic requirements of the program, pass the nursing licensure exam, and meet standardized employment criteria will receive a job offer from Cooper to begin their nursing career there after graduation. Scholarship opportunities will also make the program affordable to more students.

For those interested in a career in nursing, The BAYADA Scholars Track at Cooper is taking applications for the next group of students who want to begin their journey as early as January 2025. For more information about opportunities, they can learn more about the program and apply at bayadaeducation.org.

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