Rowan University, Holy Name partner on nursing education

Rowan University and Holy Name’s Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing announced their dual-enrollment partnership for students pursuing nursing education. The program allows Holy Name nursing students to complete Rowan courses while enrolled in the Registered Nurse (RN) or Practical Nurse (PN) diploma programs. Upon diploma completion, RN students can seamlessly progress to Rowan’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program through Rowan Online.

“We are honored to partner with Holy Name Sister Claire School of Nursing. Together, we will offer a flexible, affordable and supportive pathway for RN or PN students to earn their BSN,” said Maria Nadelstumph, AVP Workforce Development & Healthcare Strategy for Rowan Online. “This is about creating opportunity, elevating careers and ultimately changing lives.”

The partnership is designed to strengthen academic preparation for Holy Name students while creating an efficient and affordable pipeline to a BSN degree via two tracks. 

For the RN-to-BSN track, students complete their nursing coursework on-site at the Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing while taking general education and elective courses online through Rowan. Students participating in the dual enrollment program transition into the Rowan RN-BSN curriculum following completion of four semesters at Holy Name’s Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing.

For the PN track, students complete core nursing courses at Holy Name’s nursing school, with Rowan general education courses embedded into the curriculum. This structure ensures graduates who wish to pursue the LPN-to-RN pathway already meet the required general education requirements.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to preparing the next generation of nurses through accessible, high-quality education,” said Michele Acito, DNP, NP-C, NE-BC, executive vice president and chief nursing officer at Holy Name. “By aligning our programs with Rowan University’s academic pathways, we are creating a seamless, student-centered approach that supports professional growth while strengthening the nursing workforce.” 

The program will launch in Fall 2026 and is expected to enroll 85 to 90 students in the RN program and approximately 15 students in the LPN program.

For more information and to register for an upcoming information session, visit the Rowan Online program page here.

About Rowan Online
Rowan Online empowers learners throughout the region with high-quality, accessible and affordable online education backed by the innovation and forward-thinking of Rowan University. Rowan’s flexible online programs seamlessly connect students to award-winning faculty and industry leaders, comprehensive student support services and academic resources—no matter where they are. In collaboration with Rowan’s nationally ranked colleges and schools, Rowan Online delivers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in high-demand, future-focused fields. Guided by employer insight and industry-driven curriculum, Rowan Online prepares students to excel in a rapidly evolving workforce and lead in their professions and communities.

About The Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing at Holy Name
The Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing at Holy Name Medical Center (formerly known as the Holy Name Medical Center School of Nursing) has educated tomorrow's nursing professionals since 1925. The School of Nursing. Sister Claire Tynan School of Nursing standards are high; employers in a broad range of nursing environments know this, making the school's graduates highly desirable job candidates.

About Holy Name
Holy Name is New Jersey's only independent Catholic health system, comprising a 361-bed acute care hospital, a renowned cancer center, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a residential hospice, a prestigious nursing school, and an extensive physician network. Healing at Holy Name goes beyond medicine and technology – it is infused with faith, conviction, compassion, and a commitment to educating the next generation of healthcare professionals through graduate medical education, a Pharmacy Residency Program, and our Institute for Simulation Learning. Our mission to provide care for the body, mind, and soul spans education, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and overall wellness. This is at the core of who we are and what we do, and we've done it this way across generations, every single day, for nearly 100 years. Every innovation, medical breakthrough, and groundbreaking treatment is powered by some of the best minds in medicine, ensuring nothing is left on the table or the road to recovery.