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 a 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/.