Rutgers School of Nursing Magazine - Summer 2026

Letter from the Dean A Vision for the School and the Future of Nursing T his is a crucial time for nurses in New Jersey, which ranks fourth among states expected to suffer nursing shortages by 2036, as fewer providers care for an aging popula- tion. The School of Nursing has tripled undergraduate enrollment over the last five years to address this scarcity. Yet, we still had to turn away more than 10,000 applicants for Rutgers’ bacca- laureate nursing program in 2025. As Rutgers School of Nursing commemorates 2026 as its 70th anniversary year, I am both inspired by the extraordinary demand for a Rutgers nursing education and deeply aware of the responsibility that accompanies it. The need for highly educated, practice-ready nurses has never been greater. Across our state and nation, nurses are the backbone of healthcare delivery—improving quality, advancing safety, and ensuring better patient outcomes in every setting, from community clinics to academic medical centers. If We Build It, They Will Come Our response to this workforce crisis is strategic and mission-driven. We have expanded access to undergraduate and accelerated pathways, strength- ened academic practice partnerships, and invested in simulation, technology, and interprofessional education to