WP Nursing Enrollment Surges to No. 1 Among Public Regional Universities

William Paterson University now boasts the largest nursing student enrollment in the northern half of New Jersey, as well as the largest among the state’s public regional universities and the largest on any single campus in New Jersey.

Nursing enrollment currently stands at more than 1,800 students across the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. Specifically, since 2019, undergraduate nursing enrollment has more than doubled, from 431 students to current enrollment of 972 students. During the same time frame, graduate enrollment has quadrupled, from 190 to 841 students. More than 60 percent of nursing students are people of color.

WP has built strategic partnerships over the years with major healthcare systems across the state, providing opportunities to our students for clinical placement and employment, as well as a pipeline for working nurses with advanced education to teach at the University. These giants include longtime partner Saint Joseph’s Health, whose Saint Joseph’s Wayne Hospital is right next door to the University’s campus, as well as Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJBarnabas Health.

Now, as nursing enrollment surges, the University and Atlantic Health System are similarly working on a framework for collaboration that focuses on enhanced education and employment opportunities for WP students. The University has already been working very closely with some of the hospitals in that system, including Chilton Medical Center and Morristown Medical Center.

“Our growth perfectly aligns with our new collaboration with the Atlantic Health System to improve access to high-quality health profession education and health services in the region,” says President Richard J. Helldobler. “William Paterson has become a powerhouse for allied health in New Jersey, and our role is more important than ever in meeting the demands of the state’s complex healthcare environment.”

A leader in educating New Jersey’s healthcare workforce for nearly 60 years, the University launched a School of Nursing in September 2023.

“We are proud of our reputation for graduating well-prepared nurses at all levels—bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral—thanks to our strong curriculum and sophisticated training facilities, successful clinical partnerships across the state, and programs that gives students flexible options for earning their undergraduate or advanced degree,” says Minerva Salinas Guttman, associate dean of the University’s School of Nursing. “This growth demonstrates that we are providing our nursing students with the critical academic and clinical skills they need to succeed.”

WP’s School of Nursing offers a wide variety of degrees, including the doctor of nursing practice degree, which provides advanced practice nurses with preparation for leadership roles in healthcare. In addition to campus-based programs in nursing, the University offers a fully online undergraduate RN to BSN program and 12 fully online master’s degree and certificate programs in nursing.

Between 2019 and 2023, the University graduated 1,072 new nurses—with many employed in the state and making a direct impact on the nursing shortage. Also, 449 nursing professionals earned advanced degrees and certifications.

Nursing alumni, as well as faculty, hold important leadership roles in state and national nursing organizations and are the recipients of prestigious fellowships and noted nursing awards.

06/12/24