Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions and Cooper University Health Care announced a strategic workforce collaboration between the two institutions to expand access to nursing education and create clearer pathways from learning to professional practice. This initiative is part of Drexel’s latest effort to address the growing need for nurses across the United States.
Through the partnership, Cooper team members who are interested in nursing careers can access Drexel’s nursing certificate and degree programs at an increased discounted rate and Drexel nursing students can participate in enhanced co-op and clinical practice opportunities that can lead to employment upon graduation.
“In my current role at Cooper University Health Care, I get to help grow the next generation of nurses. I realize that things are changing in health care so quickly that I wanted to be a part of the change,” said Tim Marks, DNP, assistant vice president, Clinical Workforce Development and Academic Partnerships at Cooper and a Drexel alumnus. “I am proud of the partnerships I have developed because that’s going to help nurses prepare for the future.”
Cooper team members and their immediate family members will have expanded access to more than 25 accredited undergraduate, graduate and professional nursing credential and degree programs at Drexel through partnership-based tuition support, beginning in September 2026.
The Bridge to Practice initiative is an immersive clinical workforce model that gives Drexel’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing students early exposure to specialty practice environments at Cooper, while strengthening readiness for professional transition.
As part of the partnership, Cooper will continue to expand Drexel clinical placement opportunities across women’s health, pediatrics and other high-demand specialties. This experiential model will provide students with immersive clinical training and hands-on learning opportunities, while creating potential pathways for future employment at Cooper.
“At a time when health systems across the country are navigating significant workforce challenges, partnerships like this are essential,” said Emily Roper, PhD, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “By creating pathways from education to employment and expanding access for working professionals, we are strengthening the nursing pipeline in a way that is intentional, innovative and responsive to community needs.”
The enhanced partnership will also identify other co-op opportunities for Drexel’s undergraduate students at Cooper and advance collaborative research initiatives focused on health care workforce development, clinical outcomes, nursing innovation and models of care delivery.
“As a nurse educator and clinician, I know workforce challenges will not be solved by enrollment alone,” said Kymberlee Montgomery, DNP, a clinical professor and chief nurse academic officer at the College of Nursing and Health Professions. “The Drexel-Cooper Health collaboration allows us to redesign pathways that connect education, practice and mentorship, transforming how nurses are prepared through Drexel’s experiential education model and supported across their careers.”
For more information, visit: https://duo.online.drexel.edu/coopernursing/.
About Cooper University Health Care
Cooper University Health Care is a leading academic health system affiliated with Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. Cooper, headquartered in Camden, New Jersey, has revenues of more than $2.4 billion and an A+ credit rating from both S&P and Fitch Ratings.
Cooper has nearly 14,000 team members, including nearly 1,600 nurses, more than 1,000 employed physicians representing 95 specialties and subspecialties, and more than 700 advanced practice providers.
Cooper operates MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper as well as three hospitals – its 663-bed flagship Cooper University Hospital in Camden, its 229-bed Cooper University Hospital Cape Regional in Cape May Court House, and Children’s Regional Hospital in Camden.
Cooper University Hospital in Camden is the only Level 1 trauma center in South Jersey and the busiest in the region. The hospital has been recognized as a top-performing regional hospital by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals annual survey for six years.
More than 2.4 million patients visit Cooper’s facilities annually. Cooper’s ambulatory network encompasses three outpatient surgery centers, seven urgent care centers, a wound care center, and more than 130 physician, physical therapy, and radiology offices extending from the Delaware River to the New Jersey shore.
Cooper was named one of America’s Best Large Employers for 2026 by Forbes, ranking among the top 200 in the nation. Visit CooperHealth.org to learn more.
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