HIGHER EDUCATION
Rowan Opens New School of Nursing & Health Professions
Healthcare careers comprise six of the top 10 fastest-growing occupations .
Compiled by John Joseph Parker Contributing Editor
Rowan University ’ s Board of Trustees approved the creation of a new School of Nursing & Health Professions , a move that ’ s expected to expand programs and opportunities for students . Dr . Peter Rattigan , a professor of health and exercise science , will serve as the school ’ s founding dean . A Rowan faculty member since 2000 , Rattigan previously served as an associate dean in the College of Science & Mathematics , where the school was housed until July 1 this year .
Provost Tony Lowman called Rattigan an outstanding educator with a track record of leadership who will drive the new school forward .
“ Rowan University is committed to preparing students for these much-needed jobs in healthcare ,” says Lowman . “ Given the national nursing shortage we ’ re seeing , it ’ s the right time for the university to invest in the health and well-being of our region by growing the School of Nursing & Health Professions . Peter will ensure Rowan
As more hospitals strive to achieve Magnet Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center , the healthcare industry is seeing a growing demand for nurses with bachelor ’ s and graduate degrees .
36 COMMERCE www . commercemagnj . com
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / SDI Productions continues its tradition of excellence , while giving more students access to a high-quality , affordable education .”
The School of Nursing & Health Professions is expected to increase the visibility of its nursing programs , lead to joint allied health professions offerings , provide oversight for internships and clinical affiliations , foster relationships with other colleges and the medical schools , and offer diverse educational pathways for students interested in nursing and health professions careers .
Nationally , the shortage of registered nurses is expected to worsen over the next decade , as more nurses — and nurse educators — retire or leave the workforce . And , as more hospitals strive to achieve Magnet Recognition by the American Nurses Credentialing Center , the healthcare industry is seeing a growing demand for nurses with bachelor ’ s and graduate degrees .
The COVID‐19 pandemic has also demonstrated the vital roles skilled health professionals serve in public health , health promotion , nutrition and exercise science .
“ By becoming its own stand-alone school , the School of Nursing & Health Professions can focus on strategic program growth and preparing more students to fill these critically important jobs ,” explains Rattigan . “ Even before the pandemic , U . S . nursing schools turned away more than 80,000 qualified applicants because they just didn ’ t have the capacity to train them . More broadly we know that healthcare and health professions careers comprise six of the top 10 fastest-growing occupations , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics .
“ We also know there ’ s a need for a more diverse workforce ,” says Rattigan . “ We ’ re looking forward to giving aspiring nurses and health professionals a quality education that ’ s also accessible , affordable and close to home .”
The new school is a major milestone for Rowan ’ s nursing program , adds Dr . Mary Ellen Santucci , a registered nurse and associate professor who heads the Department of Nursing .
“ When I started here six years ago , we were Rowan ’ s best-kept secret ,” says Santucci . Today , the number of master ’ s students studying to become nurse practitioners at Rowan has more than doubled and the program now has three nurse practitioner concentrations : adult gerontology acute care , family , and psychiatric mental health . The school also offers graduate
Dr . Peter Rattigan will serve as the school ’ s founding dean .
programs for nurses interested in becoming educators or executives .
More nursing students are also streaming into the bachelor ’ s degree program through Rowan ’ s 3 + 1 arrangement with affiliated community colleges , Santucci notes . The program allows nursing students to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree for about $ 30,000 , or what many institutions charge for one year of tuition .
The Department of Health & Exercise Science offers five undergraduate programs , three graduate programs and three certificates designed to prepare students to become healthcare professionals : from registered dietitians and public health workers to athletic trainers and clinical exercise physiologists .
With the creation of the new school , faculty in both departments are collaborating to expose students to other health disciplines , says Dr . Greg Biren , who leads the Department of Health & Exercise Science .
“ Years ago , everyone was in their own silo ,” says Biren . “ But the human body is so complex , you can ’ t just exercise or just eat right or just manage stress and expect to be healthy . Everything is interrelated . We ’ re preparing our students to think holistically , so when they go into any healthcare field , they ’ ll already have connections with the other disciplines . We all need to work together .”