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Drexel University<\/a> and Cooper University Health Care<\/a> are expanding access to careers in nursing.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n The organizations announced a new strategic workforce collaboration March 3. The initiative offers incentives to Cooper Health employees as well as nursing students<\/a> at the Philadelphia university.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n For professionals:\u00a0<\/p>\n Through the\u00a0arrangement<\/a>,\u00a0Cooper Health employees can access Drexel\u2019s nursing certificate and degree programs at a 40% tuition discount.\u00a0Beginning September 2026, the partnership is also available to workers\u2019 immediate family members.\u00a0<\/p>\n For students:\u00a0<\/p>\n Drexel nursing students can participate in co-op and clinical practice opportunities with Cooper Health that can lead to jobs in the field after graduation.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n According to the announcement, the Bridge to Practice initiative is an \u201cimmersive clinical workforce model\u201d that gives students in Drexel\u2019s accelerated bachelor\u2019s in nursing program early exposure to specialty practice environments at Cooper.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Camden-based Cooper Health will offer expanded clinical placement opportunities across women\u2019s health, pediatrics and other high-demand specialties.\u00a0<\/p>\n Filling a need\u00a0<\/p>\n The agreement\u00a0aims to address the nursing shortage<\/a> across New Jersey and the country.\u00a0\u00a0\n<\/p>\n More than 189,000 openings for registered nurses are projected each year, on average, through 2034,\u00a0according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n