New Jersey Nurse - July 2019

Advocating--Positioning--and Educating New Jersey RNs
Brought to you by NJSNA’s Dues-Paying Members. JOIN US TODAY!
The Official Publication of the New Jersey State Nurses Association/Institute for Nursing
Volume 49 • Number 3 Quarterly publication direct mailed to approximately 141,000 RNs and LPNs in New Jersey July 2019
Inside...
13 Nurses Honored for
Professional Achievement
Page 6
NJSNA Awards More Than
$13,000 in Scholarships
Page 10
Index
Call for Nominations
The NJSNA Nominating Committee has called
for member suggestions for the 2020 election.
Nominations are due before August 10, 2019.
In November 2019, members will be elected for
2020:
Vice President
Secretary
Director 3 Year Term (2)
Director 3 Year Term Staff Nurse (1)
Nominations (4)
Congress on Policy/Practice (2)
NJSNA Regional Ballots will be included with the
NJSNA Ballot. Nominations may be submitted at
the same time as nominations for NJSNA officers.
All nominations are due to NJSNA before October
10, 2019. Individuals can also be nominated at the
NJSNA Annual Meeting, October 10, 2019.
Note that both the nominator and nominee for the
NJSNA 2019 elections must be NJSNA members in
good standing. Call NJSNA at 609-883-5335 if you
would like more information on any of these positions.
Please contact Jennifer Chanti at jennifer@njsna.
org or 609-883-5335 ext 111 for a nomination form.
Forms may also be obtained at www.njsna.org.
2019 Official Call for
Suggested NJSNA
Bylaw Revisions
Please consider this the official call for any
suggested NJSNA bylaw revisions for consideration
at the 2019 NJSNA Annual Meeting on October 10,
2019. All proposed revisions must be submitted to
NJSNA before October 10, 2019. Please forward to:
NJSNA Bylaws Committee
1479 Pennington Road | Trenton, NJ 08618
FAX: 609.883.5343
Email: njsna@njsna.org
Call for Resolutions
Any NJSNA member may research, write and
submit resolutions for consideration by the 2019
NJSNA Annual Meeting. Resolutions should be
submitted in form for printing to the Reference
Committee through NJSNA at 1479 Pennington
Road, Trenton, NJ 08618. Resolutions are due before
August 10, 2019.
Membership Application. ...................... 2
President’s Report . .......................... 3
IFN Report ................................. 3
Region News . .............................. 4
13 NJ Nurses Honored for Professional Achievement ... 6
Healthy Nurse Healthy New Jersey . .............. 7
New Leadership for AAINA ..................... 8
A Culture of Compassion is the Healthy Nurse Way! . . 9
LPN Forum. ............................... 10
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) . ....... 12
Civilty Training: A New Frontier. ................ 12
Ready To Run. ............................. 13
Assemblywomen Jasey and Munoz. .......... 14-15
INPAC Chair Message. ....................... 15
current resident or
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Princeton, MN
Permit No. 14
CEO R eport
We all make mistakes
but when a nurse makes
a mistake it often results
in loss of income and selfesteem.
Nurses who are
found with a substance abuse
problem or mental illness
that contributes to impaired
practice can find themselves
in this very situation. The
New Jersey State Legislature
passed a bill in 2005 called
the “Alternative to
Discipline” Law. This
Judith Schmidt
act gave the New Jersey Board of Nursing the
authority to develop a program which would
allow the nurse with a substance use issue or
other impairment to confidently disclose this
issue and enter into a treatment and then
recovery and monitoring program.
The Institute for Nursing was awarded a
grant from the Division of Consumer Affairs
(New Jersey Board of Nursing) to be that
Recovery and Monitoring Program. That
program is called RAMP. RAMP has had hundreds
of nurses enter the program and be successfully
discharged to return to safe nursing practice. In
addition, RAMP has participants that are actively
working in nursing roles. One such participant is
Kevin Leyden.
Kevin Leyden, has a Bachelor of Science in
Nursing degree from Thomas Edison University. He is
also a certified Addictions Registered Nurse (CARN).
In January of 2017 Mr. Leyden worked at Integrity,
a treatment facility in Newark, NJ, as a nurse for the
BATE Adolescent Program. He then transitioned
into the Newark Medical Department in June of
2018. His RAMP facilitator Dr. Phyllis Prekopa states
“Kevin demonstrated, in both roles, the responsible
management of multidisciplinary treatment plans and
crisis intervention while also providing and evaluating
resident’s care and organizing client health education
sessions.”
As you can see, nurses can recover successfully
from substance use and or other impairment issues
and continue a successful career in nursing. It just
takes a belief in yourself and the support of your peers
to be able to accomplish this.

Page 2 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter July 2019
Membership
New Jersey Nurse
Official Publication of the
New Jersey State Nurses Association and Institute for Nursing
1479 Pennington Road
Trenton, New Jersey 08618
Phone: 609-883-5335 ext 111
Fax: 609-883-5343
Email: jennifer@njsna.org
Webpage: www.njsna.org
NJSNA Mission Statement
Advance the practice of professional nursing by fostering quality
outcomes in education, practice and research
Institute for Nursing (IFN) Board of Trustees
Mary Ellen Levine, Chair, MaryEllen@njsna.org
Dr. Barbara Chamberlain, Treasurer, chmbrlnchm@comcast.net
June Brandes-Chu, Secretary, JMBC16@verizon.net
Judy Schmidt, MAL, CEO, judy@njsna.org
Dr. Phyllis Hansell, Vice Chair, Phyllis.hansell@shu.edu
Dr. Mary E. Fortier, MAL, me.fortier@verizon.net
Ray Zarzar, Community Member
Kristin Buckley, Community Member
Executive Committee
Kate Gillespie, President, kate@njsna.org
Mary Ellen Levine, President-Elect, MaryEllen@njsna.org
Dr. Barbara Chamberlain, Treasurer, chmbrlnchm@comcast.net
Linda Gural, Secretary, lmgural@aol.com
Board of Directors
Dr. Ben Evans, Past President, ben@njsna.org
Dr. Susan Weaver, Director, sweave29@gmail.com
JoAnne Penn, Director Staff Nurse, joannepenn@aol.com
Dr. Brenda Petersen, Director, bpetersen@caldwell.edu
Dr. Tara Heagele, Director, taraheagele@hotmail.com
Dr. Erica Edfort, Chair COPP, telenurss@aol.com
Region Presidents
Sandra Foley, Region 1; sbkbfoley@gmail.com
Fatima Sanchez, Region 2; sbatmaj@aol.com
Lynda Arnold, Region 3; LyndaArnold517@aol.com
Dr. Beth Knox, Region 4; samstudz@optionline.net
Summer Valenti, Region 5, summer.valenti@gmail.com
Mary Fortier, Region 6, me.fortier@verizon.net
NJSNA/IFN Staff
Judy Schmidt, CEO, judy@njsna.org
Debra Harwell, Deputy Director, deb@njsna.org
Terri Ivory, Director of RAMP, terri@njsna.org
Jennifer Chanti, Exec. Asst./Membership Administrator, jennifer@njsna.org
Tyea Santiago, Education Coordinator, education@njsna.org
Kortnei Jackson, Ed. Adm. Asst., kjackson@njsna.org
Delores Harwell, Ed. Adm. Asst., kiki@njsna.org
Annemarie Edinger, RAMP Comm. Coord., annemarie@njsna.org
Deborah Robles, RAMP Adm. Asst., deborah@njsna.org
Emily Gannon, RAMP Intake Spec., emily@njsna.org
Benita James, RAMP Case Manager, benita@njsna.org
Joan Peditto, RAMP Case Manager, joan@njsna.org
Etha Westbrook, RAMP Case Manager, etha@njsna.org
Andrew Haviland, RAMP Case Manager, andrew@njsna.org
Assistant Director of Nursing
Assisted Living RN
LPN: FT, PT and Per Diem
CNA: Per Diem, FT and PT shifts
www.lsmnj.org
Click on the “Join our team” tab
and search Moorestown for all
open positions.
Contact
Sonya N. Spisak, HR Coordinator
sspisak@lsmnj.org
856-813-5811
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NOW
HIRING!
To access electronic copies of the
New Jersey Nurse, please visit
http://www.nursingald.com/publications
New Jersey Nurse Staff
Judy Schmidt, Editor
Jennifer Chanti, Managing Editor
Dr. Barbara Wright, Executive Editor
New Jersey Nurse Copy Submission Guidelines:
All NJSNA members are encouraged to submit material for
publication that is of interest to nurses. The New Jersey Nurse also
welcomes unsolicited manuscripts. Article submission is preferred
in MS Word format, Times New Roman font and can be up to 500
words. When sending pictures, please remember to label pictures
clearly since the editors have no way of knowing who persons in the
photos might be.
Copy Submissions: Preferred submission is by email to the
Managing Editor. Only use MS Word for test submission. Please do
not embed photos in Word files, send photos as jpg files.
Submit Materials to: New Jersey Nurse, Attention to Jennifer
Chanti, Managing Editor at jennifer@njsna.org
Advertising: for advertising rates and information please contact
Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc., 517 Washington Street, P.O.
Box 216, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50613 (800-626-4081), sales@aldpub.
com. NJSNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency, Inc. reserve
the right to reject any advertisement. Responsibility for errors in
advertising is limited to corrections in the next issue or refund of price
of advertisement.
Acceptance of advertising does not imply endorsement or approval by
the New Jersey State Nurses Association of products advertised, the
advertisers, or the claims made. Rejection of an advertisement does
not imply a product offered for advertising is without merit, or that the
manufacturer lacks integrity, or that this association disapproves of the
product or its use. NJSNA and the Arthur L. Davis Publishing Agency,
Inc. shall not be held liable for any consequences resulting from
purchase or use of an advertiser’s product. Articles appearing in this
publication express the opinions of the authors; they do not necessarily
reflect views of the staff, board, or membership of NJSNA or those of
the national or local associations.

July 2019 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter Page 3
President’s Report
IFN Report
Kate Gillespie, RN MBA NE-BC, NJSNA President
“No person was ever honored for what they received.
Honor has been the reward for what they gave.”
- Calvin Coolidge
As I continue my journey as President of NJSNA,
this quote above rings so true. In April, the Institute for
Nursing (IFN) held their annual Divas and Dons Awards
Gala. The IFN had the privilege to HONOR great nurses
for all they have and continue to do for the nursing
profession from bedside to academia. It was inspiring for
all those in attendance. Don’t miss this event next year. It
provides a great opportunity to network and celebrate the
awesome nurses we have in New Jersey.
Kathleen Gillespie,
MBA, RN, NE-BC
Over the past few months, our board has actively worked on our strategic plan
for 2019-2020. We have spent a lot of time focusing on “why” a nurse should
join NJSNA. Our board is actively involved and energized with clear objectives
on engaging our current members and attracting new members. One example
is creating a welcome packet and personally welcoming each new member to
NJSNA. This will provide new members not only a connection to their local region
but also provide us an opportunity to understand what new members want from
their NJSNA membership. NJSNA has an amazing board and I am so excited to
see all that we can accomplish together.
Over the next few months, NJSNA will continue to meet with legislators, and
collaborate with other professional organizations to ensure they are informed on
key nursing legislation. One such legislation is the Consumer Access to Health
Care bill which provides NJ families increased access to medical and mental
health care by giving APNs full practice authority and removing the physician
collaborating agreement. NJSNA will continue to keep our nurses informed and
reach out to the nursing community when we need your support to raise our
voices and be heard.
Thank you again, for choosing to support NJSNA.
In Memoriam...
Mary Ellen Levine, MSN/Ed RN CHPN, Chair, NJSNA President-Elect
“Let us never consider ourselves finished nurses...we must be learning all of our
lives.” – Florence Nightingale (as cited on AZQuotes.com)
The Institute for Nursing celebrated the Divas and Dons Gala on April 6, 2019
at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton. The accomplishments of a distinguished
class of thirteen nursing scholars, educators, administrators, entrepreneurs, and
managers were celebrated in grand fashion. As the IFN is a not-for-profit, your
generosity financially supports advancing nurses, nursing, and healthcare. It was
with great pride that we came together for a wonderful evening of gratitude,
networking, dancing, and celebration. Once again, on behalf of the IFN, we were
proud to celebrate the awardees and their accomplishments!
On April 9th, the IFN held the Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon. We
were joined by colleagues, friends, and family to a wonderful awards celebration.
Awarding scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate
studies helps provide financial support. It is at the luncheon where we have an
opportunity to speak with you, New Jersey nurses and nursing students, and
congratulate you on your achievements thus far. The Institute for Nursing wishes
the scholarship awardees continued success and, please, do keep in touch. Are
you a past scholarship awardee? We’d love to hear from you, too. Feel free to
contact me at MaryEllen@NJSNA.org.
The Board of Trustees is working diligently to put together an event for the
Fall of 2019. Stay tuned and look for more to come. Also, take notice of the
opportunity to bequest a donation to the Institute for Nursing. It is our hope to
continue to meet the needs of New Jersey nurses and nursing students through
our efforts. Thanks, in advance, for your support.
Join in this era of giving to nursing and let us never stop learning!
A Nursing Legacy
Donations to the Institute for Nursing are a gift of support to the advancement
of the nursing profession. A bequest, no matter how large or small the amount,
forwards the IFN mission to preserve the heritage, principles, values and practices
of our healing profession through the support of scholarship, education and
research. Donations can be made by mailing to the Institute for Nursing, 1479
Pennington Road, Trenton, NJ 08618 or online at https://njsna.org/institute-fornursing/donate.
The Institute for Nursing is a 501-C3 not for profit foundation.
Carol Germain
Carol Hanley Germain EdD, RN, FAAN, Associate
Professor Emeritus, University of Pennsylvania, School of
Nursing and distinguished nurse ethnographic researcher,
educator and author died on May 10, 2019.
For several decades, Germain was a faculty member at
the University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing, retiring
in 2001 as Associate Professor. Among the first nurses in
the US who was awarded a doctoral degree, Germain has
taught generations of nursing students at the pre-licensure
to the doctoral level.
Germain was a lifelong nurse leader who participated in the American Nurses
Association and NJ State Nurses Association throughout her professional career.
In remembering Germain, Jean Marshall, RN, MSN, FAAN, NJSNA Past
President said, “My remembrance of Dr. Germain will always be as a giving,
compassionate nurse who advocated for me when I became President of NJSNA.
She always shared what and how I could improve in a kind and gentle manner. We
have lost a quiet giant who commanded our trust and respect while advancing the
profession of nursing. Rest In Peace, Carol.”
According to Joanne Robinson, RN, PhD, FAAN, Rutgers University-Camden,
School of Nursing, former professor and founding Dean, “Trailblazing has
permeated every aspect of Dr. German’s distinguished career in nursing.” Germain
served as Rutgers-Camden, Director of Nursing Program Development following
her retirement from the University of Pennsylvania, retiring five years ago.
Germain has been internationally recognized for her contributions to nursing
science, as a qualitative researcher, who focused on ethnography, grounded
theory, and phenomenology. She served on the American Nurses Association
Cabinet on Nursing Research and on the Sigma Theta Tau, international honor
society, Research Committee. She conducted the first institutional ethnography
study, “The Cancer Unit: An Ethnography.” Her extensive publication record
includes research reports in journals and books which relate to research methods,
ethics, and cultural concepts, for example. She consulted both nationally and
internationally.
Germain’s awards and honors include: American Academy of Nursing Fellow
(FAAN); American Heart Association Outstanding Contribution to Cardiovascular
Nursing; Seton Hall University, College of Nursing, Distinguished Alumna Hall of
Honor; and NJSNA Roll of Honor.
Germain is a graduate of St. Clare’s Hospital School of Nursing, NY, and was
awarded a BSN, at Seton Hall University, MS at St. John’s University, and EdD at
Rutgers University, Graduate School of Education.
Predeceased recently by her husband, Charles, Germain is survived by her son,
Charles “Chip” (Linda), her grandson, Maximillian, step-daughter, Tiffany, and
sister, Catherine Hanley, who also is a nurse.
Donations may be made to the St. John of God Community Services, 1145
Delsea Drive Westville, NJ 08043.

Page 4 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter July 2019
R egion News
Region 1
Morris, Passaic, Sussex,
Warren
Sandy Foley, DNP, MSN, RN
President
Greetings from Region 1: www.facebook.com/
NJSNARegion 1/
Accolades
Dr. Vivek Agnihotri, DNP, APN received a Don
Award 4/4/19 at Institute for Nursing Annual
Diva and Don Gala. This honor was bestowed on
him based on his long-standing achievement as
https://mrc.njlincs.net/signup/
a constructive influence on nurses and nursing
practice. Vivek is an APN Hospitalist for Vital
Medical Forces and a Professor of Nursing at William
Paterson University and County College of Morris.
Furthermore, he has generously donated monies
creating Region 1’s Education Scholarship!
Congratulations:
Nancy Toth, RN, awarded 3/30/19 as National
Champion of Quality Care by American Center
for Home Care/National Center for Assisted Living
Association for her work as Resident Care Director at
Sunrise Assisted Living, Madison, NJ.
Accomplishments:
Congratulations to our post BSN Graduates of
2019: Jackie Galante, Master’s in Nursing Education
from Drexel University and Sandra Foley, with a
Doctor of Nursing Practice from William Paterson
University. These nurses are worthy of our honor as
we all can recall the rigor of nursing school and the
tenacity one must demonstrate to graduate. If you
are graduating with a post RN degree, please contact
Francesca Nordin fan.pnp@gmail.com so we can
celebrate with you.
Scholarship Recipient:
The Dr. and Mrs. Agnihotri Scholarship was
awarded to Lorrie Murdock at the IFN Scholarship
Luncheon 4/7/19. Lorrie is attending Ramapo
College studying nursing. Check in Fall 2019 for
deadlines to apply in 2020.
Events/Meetings:
We were honored to have CEO of NJSNA, Judy
Schmidt, MSN, DHA(c), CCRN, as our Guest Speaker
for our Annual Dinner Meeting/CEU event on
5/9/19. She addressed Legislation and Nursing. This
is the pinnacle event for NJSNA Region 1 and was
well attended.
Dr. Sandy Foley provided the educational program
Laughter Yoga for Region 1 on 6/15/19 at Newton
Hospital. What a great time of relaxed merriment we
enjoyed!
Mark Your Calendars:
10/1/19: Guardians of the Ribbon Northern
NJ Chapter, Autism Speaks: Union and
Morris County Walk, Nomahegan Park
10/6/19: American Foundation of Suicide
Prevention WALK Waterloo Village Stanhope
10/26/19: General Business Meeting 11 AM-
1PM Hackettstown Regional Medical Center,
Cafeteria Conference Room
Community Service:
• NJSNA President Elect Mary Ellen Levine
spoke at NJ Nursing Students, Inc giving the
opening discourse for their annual event.
• Region 1 President Sandy Foley spoke at New
Jersey Student Nurses Association annual
meeting about her doctoral nursing research.
• Thank you to Morris County Coordinator Josie
Sanchez for connecting Region 1 with the Faith
Kitchen in Dover, NJ. On 4/1/19 nurses had
opportunity to prepare and serve a meal for
90. The next opening for Region 1 to serve is
Monday 9/2/19. To participate please contact
Josie (973)979-2727.
NursingALD.com can point you
right to that perfect NURSING JOB!
NursingALD.com
Free to Nurses
Privacy Assured
Easy to Use
E-mailed Job Leads
• Sussex/Warren County Coordinator, VP
Membership Lauren Krause created a display of
NJSNA Region 1 history for an exhibit at the
Wantage Library.
Call for Nominations:
Join Region 1 2020 Leadership Team. Contact
Sue Weaver sweave29@gmail.com for more
information. Open Board Positions: President-
Elect, Vice President for Membership, Vice
President for the Institute of Nursing, Vice
President to the Congress on Policy and
Practice, Morris County and Sussex County
Coordinator (one for each county) and two
members for Nominations Committee.
Would you like to present some new research or
project for professional advancement? Contact Region
1 President, Sandy Foley sbkbfoley@gmail.com or VP
Education, Tifanie Sbriscia sbrist2@hotmail.com.
Respectfully submitted,
Francesca Nordin, MSN, APN, PNP-C
Region 1 VP Communications/COPP Committee
Member
Region 2
Bergen, Hudson
Fatima Sanchez MSN, RN, President
Region 2 is springing off to a great start. We
have scheduled one zoom meeting and our second
educational meeting. A meeting was held on April 3,
2019, entitled “Aristada into a long acting injection
for Schizophrenia.” Our thanks to everyone for
coming out and supporting our region and especially
to Maureen Connors for providing this educational
opportunity. The Region will continue to use zoom to
reach the greatest amount of the Region’s nurses to
provide important communications about upcoming
meetings, community service events and briefings on
other events. At the last zoom meeting held on April
15, 2019, we discussed providing scholarships for two
nursing students who are NJSNA members; the details
are under review.
We understand the challenges of nurses and are
reviewing ways to support second degree nurses
who have work place challenges. Google Wall is a
sounding board to review past meetings and nurses
can write their concerns that can be answered
within one week by one of our Region nurses. We
also explored contact hours for nurses to enable
them to meet the NJ Board of Nursing requirements
for mandatory continuing education. We will
continue to explore and provide these educational
opportunities for the Region’s nurses. These methods
of communication ideally will continue to foster the
professional growth of the Region. Please join in and
download the free app and use the code NJSNA; you
can use the video mode to see everyone, or just the
talk mode. Please reach out to me if you need help
with the app.
Region 2 membership has increased by 83 new
members so far this year which is fantastic; I welcome
all new nurses to reach out to me, and Erma Moore
at Felohay@optonline.net. New members should be
receiving my information on a welcome card, please
use this and contact me with any concerns you may
have.
Congratulations to Nicole Wrobel, who is the
Recipient of the $1,000 Region 2 scholarship.
Nicole Wrobel is a nursing student enrolled at
Felician College. This recognition is reserved for
the most advanced nursing students in NJ who have
demonstrated exceptional academic ability and
potential for leadership.
I attended the NJSNA Board Meeting on March
26 via phone. At the Divas and Dons Gala, Region
2 sponsored two nurses to attend the dinner. Thank
you to Cindy Sonzogni for being a COPP board
member; she will assist our Region to review nursing
bills and legislative policies that need our voice.
Congratulations to Myla Passporte in a new nursing
role at Hackensack Hospital. Our region will continue
to collect socks, hats, gloves, for the winter homeless

July 2019 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter Page 5
R egion News
drive to “keep our neighbors warm.” The date for the
next Region 2 meeting TBA via NJSNA emails, and
Facebook.
Region 4
Hunterdon, Mercer,
Middlesex, Somerset,
Lower Bucks
Beth Knox, DNP, APN, President
Region 4 Meetings/Programs for 2019
Annual Meeting:
The annual meeting was held on Saturday, May
4th at the historic Cranbury Inn in Cranbury, NJ.
Donna Cardillo, RN, FAAN, a nationally known nurse
speaker shared her thoughts about “ Nurse Power”
to more than 60 nurses and their guests. In addition,
we celebrated all nurses for their contribution to our
nursing profession.
A Day at the New Jersey State House in Trenton:
The day at the Statehouse was held on June
24, 2019. President Kate Gillespie, Presidentelect
Mary Ellen Levine, and Judy Schmidt, CEO
reported on the NJSNA legislative agenda. This has
been an interesting year of legislative activities that
have and will affect nursing practice. The Region 4
Board encourages each of our members to engage
in dialogue and correspondence with your state
Senate and Assembly representatives. as well as
keeping abreast of the activities of INPAC and COPP
throughout the remainder of the year (see the NJSNA
website for ongoing information). Region 4 members
Keith Hovey, INPAC chair, and Erica Edfort, COPP
chair continue to provide strong leadership for these
NJSNA units.
Stay Connected:
We continue to encourage Region 4 members to
contact your Region 4 County Member-at-Large to
promote any programs, nursing activities in your
county that other Region 4 members may wish to
join/attend. In addition, we welcome members to
share any honors that you have received (pictures
included) We will post the information on the Region
4 website. Contacts:
Hunterdon: Yvette Shangold yshangold@comcast.net
Mercer: Robin King kingsinnj@aol.com
Middlesex: Marge Drozd mdrozd@saintpetersuh.com
Somerset: Megan Allen meganallen21@gmail.com
VP Communication: Susan Rux ruxsusan@gmail.
com (Facebook and NJ Nurse posts)
Scholarship:
The first annual Region 4 Educational Scholarship
for $1,000 was awarded to Hilda Aluka, APN, on May
4. NJSNA Region 4 member, Hilda Aluka is currently
enrolled at Rutgers University, School of Nursing,
DNP program. Congratulations and continued success
in your studies! A special thank you goes to Barbara
Wright, Marge Drozd, Yvette Shangold and the three
Region 4 Expert Nurses who conducted a blind review
of the applications for working on this inaugural
scholarship project.
Fall 2019 Election:
The following Region 4 Board of Directors’
positions will be on the ballot in the fall of 2019:
President-elect, Treasurer, VP for Policy and
Practice, VP for Membership, VP for Nominations
and Elections, and Member-at-Large for Somerset
and Hunterdon counties. The nomination of a VP
for Education is under discussion. Please submit
your resume and inquiry regarding any of these
opportunities to serve on the Region 4 Board
to Barbara Wright wigbarb@aol.com, VP for
Nominations and Elecions. (See NJSNA Region 4
Facebook page for a list of current Board members
and contact information).
Region 5
Burlington, Camden,
Cumberland,
Gloucester, Salem
Summer Valenti, BSN, RN-BC President
NJSNA Region 5 supported The Institute for
Nursing (IFN) by purchasing a table at the 2019
Divas and Dons Institute for Nursing Awards and
Scholarship Gala. Ten NJSNA Region 5 members
enjoyed attending the event which recognized nurses
and community members for leadership, excellence
in nursing and community impact on April 4, 2019 at
the Hyatt Regency Princeton.
At the time of this writing, NJSNA Region 5 is
planning an event at Rowan College at Burlington
County in Mount Laurel on Wednesday, June
12, 2019. NJSNA Region 5 Burlington County
Coordinator, Martin Manno, PhD, RN, ACNS-
BC, NEA-BC, will be presenting on the topic: The
Role Transition Characteristics of New Registered
Nurses: A Study of Work Environment Influences
and Individual Traits. The presentation will follow
refreshments and a board meeting. As the event
will have already occurred by the time of publishing,
please look on our social media for information for
upcoming events.
The NJSNA Region 5 board is looking for
opportunities to engage with members. Do you want
to be more involved? We currently have a vacancy in
the position of Director of Education and are hoping
an interested candidate will make him or herself
known. The nurse who fills this role must have a
BSN or greater. If you are a candidate, please email
summer.valenti@gmail.com.
We are looking forward to a busy year of activity
and we hope to see you at our events. Please connect
with us on social media via Facebook and Twitter @
NJSNARegon5. If you are not receiving emails from
NJSNA Region 5, please log into your account on the
NJSNA home page and ensure that the correct email
address is listed. Also, check your spam folders for
messages from njsnanews@njsna.org since these might
be blast emails from NJSNA or NJSNA Region 5.
Region 6
Atlantic, Cape May,
Monmouth, Ocean
Kathleen Mullen, DNP, MA, RN, CNE,
VP Communications
The Region’s Facebook page continues to gain likes
and followers! Each week several posts about nursing
or healthcare in varied practice settings are shared,
and our educational meetings are posted as events. It’s
a great way to stay connected to the Region. Find us
at New Jersey State Nurses Association Region
6. Follow our page, like and share our posts!
This year the Region’s education programming
is focused on increasing political advocacy by nurses
with local politicians and within the state legislature.
NJ legislation impacts nursing practice and the
provision of patient care across the healthcare
industry across the state. Nursing professionals need
to become conversant in legislative processes and
grassroots activism to influence legislation. To that
end an education program titled, “Political Advocacy
and You, the Nurse” was presented at AtlantiCare in
Atlantic City in April and at the Annual Meeting at
Captain’s Inn in Ocean Cty in June by Anne Ugrovics
MSN, RN and Kathy Mullen, DNP, RN. The program
featured a role-play between Anne and Judy Schmidt
as a legislator learning about the Nurse “Title” bill.
New graduates of the prelicensure RN programs
at Atlantic-Cape May Community College, Brookdale
Community College, Georgian Court University,
Jersey City State University, Ocean County College,
and Stockton University, were invited to attend the
Annual Meeting at a discounted rate. Lucky region
members and guests won prizes from the annual
Executive Board gift basket auction which benefits
the scholarship fund. The recipients of the annual
Beulah Miller Scholarship for Nursing Education were
announced:
Maryann Martirano attaining an AAS at Ocean
County College.
Caitlin Opirhory, attending Villanova University RN
to BSN program
Call for Nominations: please contact Colleen
Nauta at colleennauta@aol.com to learn more about
leadership positions within the region. This year the
term of office is expiring for the Region 6 positions of
Treasurer, Vice President Membership, Vice President
for the Institute, Nominating Committee, and
Chairperson for Atlantic and for Cape May counties.
Region 6 members:
If you did not receive an email blast from NJSNA
about the Region’s educational meetings this year,
please contact jennifer@njsna.org to verify and update
your membership information. Emails will come from
njsnanews@njsna.org.
Join Us For An Open House
Industry leader with 70+ years experience
providing quality nursing education.
LPN to RN Associate Degree Program
Tuesday, June 18, 2019, 11:30 am
RN to Bachelor of Science Degree Program
Monday, June 17, 2019, 11:30 am
Generic Bachelor of Science Degree RN Program
(no nursing experience required)
Thursday, June 20, 2019, 11:30 am
To register, please contact Allie Ittoop at 212-616-7282
or Allie.Ittoop@helenefuld.edu
24 East 120th St. New York, NY • www.HeleneFuld.edu • 212-616-7282

Page 6 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter July 2019
13 N.J. Nurses Honored for Professional Achievement,
Contributions to Profession
Vikki Hurley-Schubert, public relations and
media manager
The New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA)
honored 13 nurses for outstanding professional
career accomplishments at its Divas and Dons Gala
on Thursday, April 4, 2019, at the Hyatt Regency
Princeton Hotel in Princeton, N.J.
Through its Divas and Dons in Nursing celebration,
the Institute for Nursing, the foundation of NJSNA,
calls attention to the outstanding achievements of
accomplished New Jersey nurses. Proceeds from
the event fund scholarships for nursing students
and nurses who are advancing their education. The
Institute also provides quality continuing education
programs and grants for nurses involved in research.
“The mission of the Institute for Nursing is to
preserve the heritage, principles, values and practices
of our health profession through the support of
scholarships, education and research,” said Mary Ellen
Levine, MSN/Ed RN CPHN, chair of the Institute for
Nursing, the foundation of NJSNA. “Our goals include
raising money to expand scholarship and research
programs. We want to bring more nurses into the
profession and continue to develop quality educational
programs to keep nurses current on major advances
in health care. This effort is vital to improving the
quality of patient care in New Jersey.”
A Fresh Approach to
Post Acute Care
NOW HIRING
RNs – LPNs – CNAs
ALL SHIFTS (including Per Diem)
NEW GRADUATES WELCOME
Call (973) 694-2100
1120 Alps Road, Wayne, NJ 07470
The 2019 honorees are: From Left to Right
Diana Tocko, MSN, RN-BC, NE-BC
Director of Quality, Clinical Practice and Education,
Deborah Heart and Lung Center
Alana Cueto, MSN, RN, CNL-C
President-elect, National Association of Hispanic
Nurses, Nurse Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine
William Holzemer, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Dean & Distinguished Professor, School of Nursing,
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Nicholas Blanck, MSN, CRNA, APN-Anesthesia
Executive Director, Legislative Affairs, New Jersey
Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Lori Herndon, MBA, BSN, RN
President and Chief Executive Officer, AtlantiCare
Health System
Thank you to All Our Sponsors
Nursing Network, LLC
AtlantiCare
Dr. Barbara Goldberg Chamberlain, RN
Clarity Labs
CMA Solutions
We value your support!
Vivek Agnihotri, DNP, RN, APN, CCRN
Associate Professor, County College of Morris,
William Paterson University, Hospitalist/Advanced
Practice Nurse, St. Clare’s Health System
Robert Atkins, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Associate Professor, Rutgers School of Nursing-
Camden, National Program Director, Robert Wood
Johnson Foundation New Jersey Health Initiatives
Program
Mary Ellen Levine, MSN/Ed, RN, CPHN
Chair, Institute for Nursing, the foundation of NJSNA
Dely Go, DNP, RN, LNHA
President & Owner, Nursing Network Institute, LLC,
Adjunct Faculty, William Paterson University
Rebecca Graboso, DNP, MBA,
RN, APN, CNRN, CCRN
Vice President of Nursing/Chief Nursing Officer,
Hackensack-Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center
Marie Foley, Ph.D., RN
Dean & Professor, Seton Hall University College of
Nursing
Norma Rodgers, BSN, RN, CCRA
Past President, NJSNA, Senior Clinical Research
Associate II, Clinical Solutions, Syneos Health
Mary Pat Sullivan, MSN, RN, CNS
Chief Nursing Officer, Atlantic Health System’s
Overlook Medical Center
Judy Colorado, MSN, MA, RN, NE-BC
Chief Nursing Officer & Vice President, Patient Care
Services, RWJ Barnabas Health Monmouth Medical
Center Southern Campus
About NJSNA
The New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA)
represents the interests of 125,000 registered
nurses and advanced practice nurses as an advocate
for the nursing profession. NJSNA, which was
established in 1901, is a constituent member of the
American Nurses Association. NJSNA’s lobbying arm
continues to protect the nursing profession through
legislative victories. Its nonprofit foundation, Institute
for Nursing, helps nurses further their careers by
providing continuing education, scholarships and
research grants in addition to invaluable networking
opportunities. For more information, nurses can visit
www.njsna.org or contact NJSNA at njsna@njsna.org
or (609) 883-5335.

July 2019 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter Page 7
Healthy Nurse Healthy New Jersey
We think it is fair to assume that no one’s
quintessential images of summer include the workplace.
However, summer is finally here, and we can fortify our
minds, bodies and spirits by getting the most out of the
season–whether it’s a workday or a day off, we ought to
try to spend some of that day outdoors. If you are able,
why not get up a wee bit earlier to enjoy your morning
beverage outdoors? Before the cicadas start humming
and the neighbors start their cars, take a few minutes
to center yourself. Sit quietly and focus on the sounds of
the birds communicating. Feel the warmth of the early
morning sun on your face. Remind yourself that each
day is an opportunity to show compassion towards
others and to your self. If you are working the night shift,
make some time before work for some late afternoon
sun, a natural source of vitamin D. Enhance your sleep
experience with a little lavender on your linens and a
The Healthy Nurse Healthy New Jersey Team
Invites NJ Nurses to Enjoy the Season!
soft sleep mask to block out natural light and get that
pineal gland to produce more melatonin. Make good,
uninterrupted sleep a priority. You deserve it!
Summer is a great time to enjoy fresh fruits and
vegetables. We are in the Garden State, and there’s
nothing like sweet Jersey corn added to a salad or
some juicy melon and cool and crispy cucumbers to
nourish and hydrate your body. Bring enough healthy
snacks for your entire shift and a little something for
the way home. You don’t have to eat everything in
your “lunch box” but having the right foods available
can save you from making some unhealthy choices.
The oils of citrus fruits can awaken our senses
and peeling an orange for snack can be a lovely
aromatherapeutic experience. Also, don’t forget to
keep hydrated at work. Remind yourself and your
colleagues to drink water throughout the shift. If
you are a coffee or tea drinker, be sure to follow any
caffeinated beverage with a glass of water.
Don’t underestimate the power of a day off. No
one is going to tell you to schedule time for yourself—
especially when units are short staffed, and some
people are going on vacation. It doesn’t matter
whether you take days here and there to organize
your life or to sit in a hammock with your feet in a
kiddie pool, whatever brings you peace is what you
should be doing in that “me time.”
The Healthy Nurse Healthy New Jersey Team
invites you to enjoy the season, so you can nurture
your mind, body, and spirit. To learn more about
ways to nourish your health and wellness, join us at
NJSNA’s website: https://njsna.org/healthy-nurse/.
You can also find Healthy Nurses on Facebook
and Pinterest – New Jersey State Nurses
Healthy Nurse. We hope to see you there!

Page 8 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter July 2019
New Leadership for American Association
of Indian Nurses of America
Hessels receives $1.86
million AHRQ Grant
Submitted by: Puspha Abraham, MSN, CPNP,
RN, CCRN, AAINJ2, Editorial chair
The American Association of Indian Nurses of
New Jersey Chapter-2 installation ceremony took
place on February 10, 2019. The event hosted at
RWJ Barnabas Health-Newark Beth Israel Medical
Center, was facilitated by Dr. Munira Wells, PhD, RN,
outgoing Vice President of the Association.
During a somber ritual, outgoing President Dr.
Soffy Vilson handed over the charge to incoming
President, Sandra Emmanuel, MA, RN-BC, an
Education Specialist at Hackensack University Medical
Center. The officers were sworn in by past president,
Dr. Rachel Koshy.
The motivational speaker was Sheri Cleaves,
MSN, RN, Administrative Director of Professional
Development at Monmouth Medical Center
Southern Campus. Cleaves demonstrated the
Nightingale Honor Guard of New Jersey, explained
its significance, and shared the chapter’s history. The
audience was left in a state of awe and admiration at
the thought honoring all nurses who had dedicated
their lives to the profession of nursing.
In attendance at this event were the friends
and families of AAIN-NJ2, including Norma
Rodgers, NJSNA past President and Judy Schmidt,
NJSNA CEO. It was an honor to have them as the
organization’s biggest supporters.
In her address, President Emannuel highlighted
the importance of networking, teamwork, and
collaboration with nursing organizations such as
NJSNA, Black Nurses Association, Filipino Nurses
Association, and the Hispanic Nurses Association.
She also emphasized the joint efforts that these
minority associations are willing to undertake to
improve population health through participation in
health fairs, education and preventative services in
communities which are most affected in New Jersey.
The incoming board members are as follows:
• Vice President, Molly Jacob, MSN, APN, CCRN
• Secretary, Uma Sunil, MSN, RN
• Treasurer, Kavita Natarajan, BSN, RN
• APN Forum Chair, Rashmi Aggarwal, MSN,
APN, RN
• Education Chair, Maya Joseph, MSN, RN,
CCRN
• Membership Chair Siby Varghese, MSN, RN
• Cultural Chair Niti Patel, BSN, RN
• Website Chair, Felce Cabral, MSN, RN, CCRN
• Newsletter Chair, Puspha Abraham, MSN, RN,
CPNP, CCRN
• Awards and Scholarship Chair, Vivek
Aghnihotri, DNP, APN
• Public Relations Chair, Merlin Mendonca, BSN,
RN
Susan H. Weaver, PhD, RN, CRNI®, NEA-BC
Dr. Amanda Hessels,
NJSNA Region 6 member
and Assistant Professor
of Nursing at Columbia
University, School of
Nursing jointly appointed
as a Nurse Scientist at
Hackensack Meridian
Health, Ann May Center,
is Principal Investigator
of a new grant from the
Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality
(AHRQ), a unit of the U.S.
Amanda Hessels
Department of Health and Human Services. This
innovative five year R18 Research Demonstration
and Dissemination grant, funded for $1.86 million,
is entitled “Simulation to Improve Infection
Prevention and Patient Safety: The SIPPS
Trial.”
The study will test a simulation intervention
designed to improve provider performance of
standard precautions and prevent health care
associated infections (HAIs) and occupational bloodborne
pathogen exposures and will be conducted
in two hospitals in two states. Dr. Hessels has
assembled a diverse interdisciplinary investigative
team including experts in infection prevention
and epidemiology and quantitative and qualitative
research methods (Drs. Hessels and E. Larson);
academic simulation design and implementation
(Dr. K. Bryant and Ms. N. Spear Owen); clinical
simulation design and implementation (Drs. C.
Hader and K. Monia); patient safety (Dr. Hessels);
industrial engineering and operations (Dr. D. Yao);
and biostatistics (Dr. H. Jia). They are supported
by an External Advisory Board with expertise in
occupational and safety research epidemiology
(Dr. R. Gershon), occupational nursing health and
policy (Dr. B. Rogers), and communication and
team science (Dr. M. Manojlovich). Here in New
Jersey, Jersey Shore University Medical Center was
selected as a subcontract site and Dr. Hader and Dr.
Monia will serve as site PI and Co-I.
“Despite well-established guidelines and training,
standard precautions are not reliably practiced,
with self-reported adherence among nurses, who
have the most direct patient contact in acute care,
at less than 50 percent,” Hessels explains. “HAIs
are a substantial public health problem affecting
approximately two million patients annually, and
every year one in 25 registered nurses are exposed
to blood-borne pathogens. We think simulation
training may improve standard precaution
adherence and ultimately improve health care
quality and safety for patients and providers.”
Hessels earned her Bachelor of Science in
Nursing from the University of Rochester, Master of
Science in Community Health Nursing and Master
of Public Health from the City University of New
York, Hunter College, and her Doctorate in Nursing
from Rutgers University, College of Nursing, then
completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Columbia
University, School of Nursing in the Training in
Interdisciplinary Research to Prevent Infections
(T32) program led by Dr. Elaine Larson. Among
other service and leadership contributions, Dr.
Hessels is an invited member of the ANA sponsored
Sharps Injury Prevention Stakeholders Workgroup,
serves in developing The National Occupational
Research Agenda for the Healthcare and Social
Assistance industry sector (NIOSH/CDC), as a
Research Council member for the Association for
Professionals in Infection Control, and as a member
of the Editorial Board and Section Editor of the
American Journal of Infection Control. Hessels has
an emerging portfolio of peer reviewed publications
and has presented her research to numerous
audiences locally and nationally and is earning
recognition as a pacesetter in the field.
Incoming Board members American Association of Indian Nurses of America,
Left to right Merlin Mendonca, BSN, RN, Pushpa Abraham, PNP, RN Felce Cabral, MSN, RN, CCRN
Sandra Emmanuel, MA, RN-BC, Shiby Varghese, MSN, RN, Maya Joseph, MSN, RN, CCRN,
Rashmi Agarwal, MSN, APN, RN

July 2019 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter Page 9
Innovation in
Professional Nursing
Education: Kim Dimino
Renee Pevour
The Institute of Medicine
2010 report challenged
nursing to alter nursing
educational programs to
better meet the changing
realities of healthcare. One
model to effect these changes
is to provide student learning
on a specific hospital unit
which is dedicated to quality
patient care and enhanced
student learning. This model
is known as the Dedicated Kim Domino
Education Unit (DEU).
NJSNA member, Kim Dimino, DNP, RN, CCRN, took
the challenge to explore this model in her Doctor of
Nursing (DNP) Project.
Nursing leaders from William Paterson University
and St. Joseph Regional Medical Center collaborated
in 2011. Plans were formulated to outline a clinical
teaching process that would address the medical
center’s commitment for excellence in patient care
and afford a new and more realistic experience for the
senior nursing students. A partnership began.
The first nursing unit provided enough positive
experiences for patients, staff and students that
expansion to a second unit was implemented. This
next unit would be a pediatric unit. Dr. Dimino was the
clinical faculty for the pediatric unit and began exploring
the best ways to change the traditional clinical teaching
model to a dedicated educational unit format. The
initial steps were to identify roles and responsibilities
of the academic course coordinator, nurse manager,
staff RN’s who would be now called clinical instructors
(CI’s), other clinical and non-clinical staff and students.
The institutional CI’s role in precepting and evaluating
nursing students learning was a new role, so, a
standardized evaluation process was formulated.
William Paterson University BSN students were
selected. The criteria consisted of needing a GPA of at
least 3.0 and must include a faculty recommendation.
The orientation day on the unit was an eight hour day.
After that the students accompanied the CI’s during
their twelve hour shift. All staff were invited to “coach
upward.” This philosophy highlights the significance
that all members of the health care team have a direct
impact on the quality of learning and are expected to
contribute to the students learning.
Dr. Dimino continues with active involvement
as the Clinical Faculty Coordinator to assess and
monitor success of these students. She found in her
DNP project that the DEU students transitioned to the
role of professional nurse quicker than other graduate
nurses. Currently two former DEU students have
become unit CI’s themselves.
The impetus for changing the method of clinical
nursing education came from the IOM report;
although the work of that change was initiated by
previous academic clinical and practice nurse leaders.
Currently, the ongoing promotion and assessment is
carried on by nursing leaders such as Dr. Kim Dimino.
She quotes a nursing leader in describing her faculty
role, “Innovation never occurs in isolation or by a
single individual - it requires a team of dedicated
individuals passionately committed to making a
difference.” The cooperation of academia and practice
leaders have come together to make a difference. Dr.
Kim Dimino is one of those nurses passionate about
this process of learning.
More information about Dr. Kim Dimino’s work
in helping to shape this new nursing education
model, can be found in the American Nurse Today,
September 2018 edition.
A Culture of Compassion is the Healthy
Nurse Way!
Kiki Magno MSN, RN-BC, Nurse Manager
Hackensack Meridian Health,
Hackensack University Medical Center,
NJSNA Region 2 Member and Healthy Nurse
Healthy New Jersey team co-lead
The Healthy Nurse Healthy New Jersey (HNHNJ)
initiative aims to promote health and wellness for all
New Jersey Nurses. As HNHNJ’s team co-lead, my
ideals as a Healthy Nurse foster health and wellness in
my organization.
My workplace is committed to creating a culture
that brings people together to enhance the patient
experience. Our teams collaborate daily with one
another to provide a continuum of care that is truly
innovative. As a nurse manager in my organization, I
helped to focus our first quarter on compassion in the
workplace.
We integrate compassion in our work every day
as we strive to make people healthier. By showing
kindness and empathy we create memorable, personal
connections. The 30-day Compassion Challenge
allowed all team members to show various expressions
of kindness and compassion throughout the month.
Each team member was encouraged to write someone
a kind note, show their appreciation to a colleague
and give a smile sticker to a person who made them
smile. Notepads bearing an inspirational quote were
distributed to team members. Uplifting messages were
written on them and posted in the break room as a
display of mutual kindness.
During daily huddles, this peer-to-peer challenge
raised awareness and acknowledged team members’
strengths and positive attributes. These positive
messages reminded us that we were blessed with the
tools to get us through our most challenging shifts.
Being an example of compassion inspired others and
created a strong team support system.
Compassion Champions partnered together and
displayed a monthly calendar onto which daily acts of
kindness were written and displayed for all to see.
Our month-long Compassion Challenge concluded
with a Cafeteria Compassion event. The Presidents
of our organization visited the event and wrote their
interpretations of “compassion” on the newly created
notepads. Their messages were shared with the teams.
Aligning with Jean Watson’s Theory of Human
Caring, I have created a Wellness Wall on 3pe
to benefit all team members. The Wellness Wall
displays various healthcare tips for skin and sun
safety, information on breast cancer awareness and
cardiovascular health, as well as various other selfcare
strategies to inspire the team to take healthy
action steps. My passion for wellness and self-care
in every team member has inspired me to create
visual awareness within the organization. Having
the Wellness Wall encourages every team member
to adapt healthy habits that lead to a healthy worklife
balance. Consequently, being engaged this way
with my colleagues has helped to raise awareness of
the importance of self-care. It is also helping me to
reach my goal of designing a future of wellness for all
healthcare organizations.
A culture of compassion is the Healthy Nurse way!
Are you a Healthy Nurse? Let HNHNJ help you make
health and wellness a priority. You can find support
for your Healthy Nurse journey on NJSNA’s website:
https://njsna.org/healthy-nurse/. You can also find
Healthy Nurses on Facebook and Pinterest – New
Jersey State Nurses Healthy Nurse.
Reference:
https://www.watsoncaringscience.org/jean-bio/caringscience-theory/
2019-2020 Certified School Nurse Vacancy
To Apply, visit
ecocharterschool.org/join-us/
856.963.2627

Page 10 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter July 2019
Balancing the Scales:
Graduation and Retirement of
New Jersey Nurses
Edna Cadmus, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN and
Susan H. Weaver, PhD, RN, CRNI, NEA-BC
Do we have enough nurses in New Jersey? The New Jersey Collaborating
Center for Nursing (NJCCN) Annual Data Report (2019) answers this question
with detailed information on the supply (educational capacity and workforce data)
as well as demand data across settings.
Exploring the re-initiation of
the NJSNA LPN Forum
Kathleen Pinto PhD, RN
NJSNA LPN Forum Committee Member
The New Jersey State Nurses’ Association (NJSNA) is exploring the re-initiation
of the Licensed Practical Nurses’ (LPN) Forum. Recognition of LPNs as an integral
part of the healthcare team and the crucial role they play in the delivery of quality
patient care has inspired the idea for recreating the forum. A needs assessment
survey conducted by NJSNA in 2018 received a total of 983 responses from
LPNs working in New Jersey. Results of the survey reported that LPNs desire an
organization that provides support, networking, educational updates, and social
gatherings that are specific to LPNs. If you are an LPN or healthcare provider
interested in more information about the re-initiation of the LPN Forum, please
email jennifer@njsna.org.
Nurses Entering the Workforce
New Jersey (NJ) nursing
schools provide information
to NJCCN about their
nursing programs, students,
graduates and faculty. The
Nursing Graduation table
shows the trend over the
four-year period in prelicensure
graduates with
a 22.5% decline in LPN
graduates and a 1.5%
increase in RN graduates.
However, the biggest concern for NJ is having adequate faculty to prepare
nurses. There has been a 29.4% increase in full-time faculty vacancies from 2014
and 2017. With 50% of nurse faculty over the age of 56, the nursing faculty
shortages will continue to trend upward. Aging faculty and the increasing risk of
retirement impacts the ability to train a more highly educated nursing workforce.
Nurses Leaving the Workforce
NJCCN receives information about the current nursing workforce from the NJ
Board of Nursing licensure renewal data. Nurses are eligible for retirement at age
62, so nurses age 56 and older will be eligible for retirement in 2025. A projection
of the rates of retirement for nurses from now through 2025 creates the following
expectations: a 22% decline in the RN workforce, an 11% decline in APN
workforce, and a 15% in the LPN workforce. In order to maintain an adequate
supply of nurses in the workforce, the number of new graduates must be equal
to or greater than the number of retirees each year. As shown in the Projected
Trend of the Nursing Workforce table, if the number of graduates continues
at the current rate, it is expected that there will be a deficit in RNs (-3%) and in
APNs (-1%) by 2025. For LPNs, sustaining current rates of graduation may lead
to an excess of LPNs. Additionally, certain settings including Academia, School
Health, Correctional Facilities, Occupational Health and Home Health may have
an increased need for nurses because these settings have the greatest number of
retirement age nurses.
Thus, the NJCCN data shows that the scales are currently in balance with an
adequate supply of nurses in NJ. For this balance in the supply and demand of
nurses to continue through 2025 the nursing schools must continue to produce
their current number of graduates or greater through 2025 and the healthcare
needs remain the same or improve.
References
New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN). (2019). New Jersey annual nursing
data report 2017. Newark, NJ: NJCCN. http://www.njccn.org
(Left to right): Dr. Lolita Jacob, Dr. Susan Weaver and Dr. Rosemarie
Rosales discuss the NJCCN poster data at the Philippine Nurses
Association of NJ conference

July 2019 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter Page 11
Improving Behavioral Health Nurse
Diabetes Literacy in Acute Psychiatric
Emergency Screening Services (PESS)
Angela Brathovde, DNP, RN, BC, HNB-BC
Behavioral health nurses working in the emergency
psychiatric setting identified knowledge deficits in
caring for diabetic patients, e.g. removal of non-locking
insulin pumps to prevent intentional overdosing and
instability of diabetes symptoms from switching to
insulin coverage; carbohydrate counting; and perceived
nurse efficacy with diabetic protocol. Evidence suggests
that behavioral health nurses are not comfortable with
caring for diabetic psychiatric patients (McBain, et al,
2017). Infrequent admissions of diabetic psychiatric
patients instigated a quality improvement project
designed to improve diabetes literacy for behavioral
health nurses (Hemingway, S., Trotter, F., Stephenson,
J., & Holdich, P. 2013).
Participation in structured diabetes management
topics, such as care of the behavioral health patient,
insulin pump education, and peer to peer education
through sharing of resources obtained from a diabetes
symposium during the project time frame was
completed. The nurses participated and pre- and postdiabetes
education survey measuring behavioral health
nurses attitudes towards competence and efficacy with
care of psychiatric patients with diabetes (McBain, et
al, 2017). The assessment tool measured healthcare
professional’s level of comfort and competence in
providing care to patients with serious mental illness
and diabetes. The pre- and post-diabetes education
survey identified that the nurses continued to have
concern about their knowledge of diabetic guidelines,
and concern for patients with severe mental illness
and the patient’s ability to self-manage their diabetes
due to the complications and disease progression.
Although this survey tool measured behavioral health
professional’s comfort and competence caring for
patients with serious mental illness and diabetes, it might
not have been generalizable to the acute psychiatric
emergency setting. Patients are seen in the psychiatric
emergency department for psychiatric crises, stabilized,
and referred to either inpatient hospitalization or a
behavioral health outpatient setting; however, there are
opportunities for treatment planning for medical issues
associated with patients with diabetes. In the psychiatric
emergency setting, nursing assessment of the patient’s
ability to self-manage their diabetes that might not have
been considered in this particular setting previously,
including integrating stabilizing and evaluating the
immediate psychiatric crisis while supporting the
patient’s own self-care management of their psychiatric
illness and diabetes (De Hert, et al, 2011).
Barriers and facilitators to patient self-management
identified in the psychiatric emergency setting can be
communicated to ensure that the patient is supported
by behavioral health nurses in the nursing care plan
(American Diabetes Association, 2018). Improving
communication among professionals at different levels
of behavioral health care can integrate reinforcement of
diabetes self-management education and monitoring into
the treatment plan. Finally, in this quality improvement
project, behavioral health nurses identified their own
learning deficits and sought out learning resources to
bridge the knowledge gap to improve their professional
nursing practice (Hemingway, Trotter, Stephenson,
& Holdich, 2013). Collaboration with experts in the
field of diabetes, seeking evidence based resources
increasing competence and confidence in diabetes care,
partnership with behavioral health nurses in different
behavioral health settings to address and support the
challenges that patients with severe mental illness and
co-morbid diabetes face improves efficacy and literacy at
all care levels.
References
American Diabetes Association. (2018). Comprehensive
medical evaluation and assessment of comorbidities:
Standards of medical care in diabetes – 2018.
Diabetes Care, 41(Suppl. 1): S28-S37.
De Hert, M. et al. (2011). Physical illness in patients with
severe mental disorders. II Barriers to care, monitoring
and treatment guidelines, plus recommendations at
the system and individual level. World Psychiatry,
10(2), 138-151. Retrieved from https://doi.
org/10.1002/j.2051-5545.2011.tb00036.x
Hemingway, S., Trotter, F., Stephenson, J., Holdich, P.
(2013). Diabetes: increasing the knowledge base of
mental health nurses. British Journal of Nursing,
22(17), 991-996. doi: 10.12968/bjon.2013.22.17.991
McBain, H., Lamontagne-Godwin, F., Haddad, M.,
Simpson, A., Chapman, J., Jones, J., Flood, C.,
Mulligan, K. (2017). Management of type 2 diabetes
mellitus in people with severe mental illness:
an online cross-sectional survey of healthcare
professionals. BMJ Open, 8:e019400. Doi: 10.1136/
bmjopen-2017-019400.
Every Nurse is an Addiction Nurse!
Rosemary Smentkowski MSN, RN, PMHNP-
BC, CARN, Vice President, Addiction Nursing
Certification Board
Throughout history women have cared for soldiers
on battlefields, uninvited. A review of US and nursing
history recounts the Civil War when women cared for
loved ones and strangers on battlefields, determined
to prove their worth. Present day nurses at home and
abroad bear witness to the demand for nurses as valued
members of US armed services. The US is currently
engaged in domestic warfare with illicit drug use which is
threatening the life and wellbeing of US and New Jersey
residents daily. New Jersey overdose deaths totaled
3,163 in 2018; more than the number of deaths incurred
by flu, homicides, motor vehicle accidents and suicides in
2016 (Stirling, 2019). This devastation is witnessed in
loss of jobs, dissolution of families, incarceration, as well
as a plethora of medical consequences.
Nurses working across all levels of care have been
thrown into the trenches fighting consequences of
substance use without benefit of formal evidencebased
nursing content. This has resulted in nurse focus
on consequences of addiction rather than acquiring
knowledge in screening, brief intervention and referral
to treatment (SBRIT), providing early intervention of
this chronic, progressive, often fatal disease.
The New Jersey State Board of Nursing recently
endorsed addiction contact hours for nurses renewing
licenses in our state. This is a progressive move in the
right direction. Drawing on nursing as the most trusted
profession, while embracing nursing’s distinctive “art and
science” nursing is poised to care for patients and families
affected by this bio/psycho/social/spiritual disease.
Over the past decade there has been enormous
professional funding designated for treating substance
use disorders. Most programs have neglected to
include nursing’s unique role in the treatment of
addiction. This is painfully evident by the lack of
specific nursing approved continuing education units
available on substance use content.
Nurses, as the largest group of health care
professionals given evidence-based training specific to
our scope and practice, are poised to make a difference
in this disease. I implore New Jersey’s nursing
educators, to recognize substance use disorders as an
emergent public health crisis and begin to integrate
addiction content into nursing education. This will give
nurses tools to identify and intervene earlier in disease
progression rather than our current function, treating
consequences of addiction in the form of HIV, HCV,
neonatal abstinence syndrome, and consoling loved
ones after overdose and death.
The disease of addiction spans our nursing spectrum
of care, commissioning us all as addiction nurses. All
nurses working with addiction whether in substance
treatment facilities, caring for acute care or outpatients,
consider certification as Certified Addiction Registered
Nurses (CARN) and Certified Addiction Registered
Nurses-Advanced Practice (CARN-AP).
Advanced Practice nurses with prescriptive
authority, adding medication assisted treatment by
applying for DATA 2000 waiver will facilitate a “no
wrong door” approach to substance use treatment of
patients who are dependent on opioids.
To my nursing education colleagues, advocate for
integration of substance use in nursing content.
History has shown, when nurses engage in battle
change happens.
Stirling, S (2019). Drug deaths in N.J. break record for 4th
straight year. Why is this happening? https://www.
nj.com/data/2019/01/drug-deaths-in-nj-break-recordfor-4th-straight-year-why-is-this-happening.html
It’s a Cinch
by the Inch
Cynthia A. Miller, MSN, MSHSA,
RN-BC, Past President
Linda Janelli, EdD, Chair Newsletter Committee
Sigma Theta Tau, Theta Chapter
In today’s environment, it is difficult to recruit and
then retain actively engaged nurses into organizations.
It seems that there are always a small group of
nurses who keep an organization in motion by their
endeavors. The Theta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Theta
Tau International Honor Society of Nursing was
formed at Stockton University over 30 years ago.
Theta Sigma is a small chapter of 135 members. Like
other nursing organizations it suffers the same issue of
how to motivate members to become connected.
Theta Sigma has used the motto, “It’s hard by the
yard, but a cinch by the inch” to maintain a viable
organization. We attempt to work on membership
concerns in small steps. Five years ago, the chapter
began the Annual June Dinner in order for members
to network, enjoy a good meal, and raise money
for nursing scholarship. In addition, we try to have
a speaker present on global or research topics. In
June 2018 Theta Sigma awarded an educational
scholarship.
The chapter celebrated its 30th anniversary in June
2016. Dr. Cheryle Eisle gave an historical presentation
of Theta Sigma which included the chapter’s
contribution to the nursing community. Graduates
of our nursing program, Erica Einstein and Melissa
Ehrke (class of 2015) developed a pictorial slide show
of the chapter’s history.
In 2017, Dr. Mark Adulung presented a slide show
and video on his medical mission to Haiti; supported
by the chapter. In 2018 Theta Sigma also supported
Dr. Mary Padden Denmead’s research on “The
Lived Experience of Parenting the NICU Infant Post
Perinatal Loss.”
Another small step the chapter has taken is to
encourage mentoring of new members by having
them work alongside “seasoned” members with
fundraising efforts and producing the quarterly
newsletter. The quarterly newsletter attempts to
include all members even if they are unable to
attend meetings and chapter events. The newsletter
spotlights a member, discusses accomplishments of
members, and gives information on chapter activities.
Maria Caccavo (class of 2016) discussed her thoughts
on what it means to be a member of Sigma Theta Tau
International.
Lastly, the chapter has asked that members bring
non-perishable items to each of our monthly meetings.
The items are donated to the food pantry at Stockton
University for students who are experiencing food
insecurity. At our yearly ice cream social, which is
designed to orient new members to the mission of
Sigma Theta Tau International, our new members
are asked to bring socks, diapers, and personal care
items to be donated to the Atlantic City Rescue
Mission. These are small steps that help members feel
connected to the local community without making a
big dent in their wallet.
The next chapter event is our Induction Ceremony
October 2019.
If you are interested in any further information about
our chapter and/or joining as a Nurse Leader member,
please contact Paula Gruccio at pgruccio1@verizon.net.
Each year we strive to do better, it is not easy, but
we keep reminding ourselves,
“It is a cinch by the inch, but hard by the yard.”
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Page 12 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter July 2019
N.J. State Nurses Association Awards
More Than $13,000 in Scholarships
Civility Training:
A New Frontier
Vikki Hurley-Schubert,
public relations and media manager
Ten New Jersey nurses were recently awarded
more than $13,000 in educational scholarships from
the Institute for Nursing (IFN), the foundation of the
New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA).
“The mission of the Institute for Nursing is to
preserve the heritage, principles, values and practices
of nursing through the support of scholarships,
education and research,” said Mary Ellen Levine,
MSN/Ed RN CPHN, chair of the IFN, at a luncheon
held at the New Jersey State Nurses Association
(NJSNA) headquarters in Ewing on April 7, 2019.
“We want to bring more nurses into the profession
and inspire nurses to continue their education with
From left to right:
Megan Allen, a Bridgewater resident working on
her Doctor of Nursing practice degree at Loyola
University, was presented with the Dr. Anna
Gallagher Scholarship.
Lorrie Murdoc, a Randolph resident earning her
Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree at
Ramapo College, was presented with the Dr. & Mrs.
Agnihotri/New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute
Scholarship.
Erin Angstadt, a Haddonfield High School senior
who plans to attend Clemson University to study
nursing, was presented with the Valerie E. Yahn
Scholarship.
Peter Toscak, a Linden resident earning his
Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree at
Caldwell University, was presented with the Newark
City Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association
Scholarship.
Amy Quartararo, a Hopatcong resident is a certified
nursing assistant working on her Bachelor of Science
in nursing (BSN) degree at Rutgers University School
of Nursing was presented the Centennial Scholarship.
advanced degrees. This effort is vital to improving the
quality of patient care in New Jersey and the practice
of nursing.”
The IFN complements the work of NJSNA, the
largest nursing organization in the state, by raising
funds and developing and managing grants to support
advances in research, education and clinical practice.
It provides tuition assistance for students enrolled
in entry-level nursing, career mobility and advanced
nurse research in both clinical and academic settings.
Since 1989, the IFN has awarded more than a half
million dollars in scholarships to individuals who are
looking to become Registered Nurses (RNs) and RN’s
seeking to acquire their bachelor, masters or doctoral
degrees in nursing.
Learn more about the IFN: https://njsna.org/
institute-for-nursing/.
Krauss Jordan, a Lawrence resident earning
her associate degree in nursing at Mercer County
Community College, is presented with the Arthur L.
Davis Publishing Agency Scholarship.
Sara Jurado, an Annadale resident working on
her Doctor of Nursing practice degree at Rutgers
University School of Nursing was presented the Dr.
Anna Gallagher Scholarship.
Jillian Fasulo, a West Orange resident earning her
Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) degree at New
Jersey City University to become a registered nurse, is
presented with the General Scholarship.
Not Pictured:
Shani-Qua Martin, an East Orange resident
working on her Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN)
degree at Bloomfield University, was awarded the
Sylvia C. Edge Endowment Scholarship.
Nicole Wrobel, a Wallington resident and RN
working towards her master’s degree at Felician
University. She was awarded the Region 2 Memorial
Scholarship.
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD)
Megan Allen, MSN, RN-BC, CCM, CCDS
In recognition of National Healthcare Decisions
Day (NHDD), the Palliative Care Committee led a
massive effort at RWJUH Somerset to champion the
importance of advance healthcare planning. NHDD
is a national effort to promote conversations about
healthcare decisions before tragedy occurs, and the
person's wishes are unknown leaving loved ones
to guess about the care they may have wanted. The
theme, "See one, Do one, Teach one" highlighted
our efforts for the week in offering employees and
providers the opportunity to identify their wishes
and complete their advance directive. As healthcare
providers, we ask every patient about their advance
care plans when they enter our organizations
but how well are we prepared? This past week's
celebration provided employees the opportunity to
lead by example, to educate themselves to understand
advance care planning by extending the opportunity
to identify their wishes and address "the elephant
in the room." An exhibit about NHDD displayed
outside of the cafeteria along with a representation
of members of the Palliative Care Committee, and
the Palliative Care Team provided information about
advance care planning and importance of having
the conversation with loved ones. Without a solid
understanding of what is involved in completing an
advance directive, how can we as healthcare providers
advocate for our patients to complete it? Tackling our
discomfort with advance care planning is essential as
healthcare providers in order to engage in meaningful
conversations with our patient before it is too late.
Discussion around advanced care planning belongs
outside of the hospital with people we love before it
is too late. Lead by example, understand and make
advance care planning a priority in 2019. www.nhdd.
org.
Dr. Erica Edfort, Dr. Susan Rux
Nursing is at the vanguard of the health care
system, with a significant role in the delivery of
safe patient care. Quality nursing care has been
demonstrated to improve overall patient safety and
decrease the risk of error. Uncivil behaviors amongst
nurses have a damaging impact on the delivery of safe
patient care (Longo, 2010). Patient safety literature
has well documented that the provision of safe patient
care occurs in high-quality nursing environments
(Institute of Medicine (IOM), 2003; 2004; 2011).
The American Nurses Association (ANA) Code of
Ethics and Interpretive Statements (2015) described
a provision related to the nurse’s relationship with
colleagues and others to include a responsibility to
preserve integrity and safety.
In July 2008, The Joint Commission (TJC)
issued a Sentinel Event Alert identifying disruptive
and intimidating behaviors as widespread in health
care. TJC urged all health care organizations to
take immediate action to manage incivility in their
organizations as uncivil behaviors were believed to
result in poor patient outcomes, increased medical
costs, and a loss of qualified health care providers.
Almost one decade later, the organization responsible
for accrediting health care facilities, has issued a new
Sentinel Event Alert to provide hospitals and other
health care settings with recommendations to improve
communication between caregivers (TJC, 2017).
Clark (2019) identified that harm from disrespect is
the next frontier in patient safety efforts. Detrimental
effects on individuals, teams, organizations, and
patients, to include life-threatening mistakes and
preventable complications, occur due to uncivil
behaviors in healthcare settings. Evidence-based
strategies to promote a culture of civility and respect
in healthcare are needed to break the incivility
continuum. The impact of incivility on the patient
care environment yields ethical, legal, regulatory,
and educational implications. Incivility between peer
registered nurses has negative sequelae on the delivery
of patient care. Nurses, working in a collaborative
manner, are hindered due to incivility thus, negatively
impacting patient safety. Rosenstein and O’Daniel
(2006) affirmed that within a culture of safety,
communication and teamwork are vital.
Positive social change for the nurses through
promoting evidence-based civility training has
the potential to positively influence the health
care delivery at the practicum site. A nurse skilled
in addressing and managing an uncivil peer to
peer encounter in the workplace will benefit from
increased job satisfaction found in high-quality nursing
environments, as well as the ability to deliver safe
patient care to his/her patients (Institute of Medicine
(IOM), 2003; 2004; 2011).
References:
American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for
nurses with interpretive statements. Silver Spring,
MD: Nursesbooks.org.
Clark, C. M. (2019). Fostering a culture of civility and
respect in nursing. Journal of Nursing Regulation,
10, 44-52. doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(19)30082-1
Institute of Medicine. (2003). Keeping patients safe:
Transforming the work environment of nurses.
Washington, D.C: The National Academies Press.
Institute of Medicine. (2004). Keeping patients safe:
Transforming the work environment of nurses.
Washington DC: National Academies Press.
Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing:
Leading change, advancing health. Washington, DC:
National Academies Press. Retrieved from http://
www.nap.edu/catalog/12956/the-future-of-nursingleadingchange-advancing-health
The Joint Commission. (2008). Behaviors that undermine
a culture of safety. Sentinel Event Alert, Issue 40.
Retrieved from http://www.jointcommission.org/
sentinel_event_alert_issue_40_behaviors_that_
undermine_a_culture_of_safety
Longo, J. (2010). Combating disruptive behaviors:
Strategies to promote a healthy work environment.
The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 15. doi:
10.3912/OJIN.Vol15No01Man05
Rosenstein, A. H., & O’Daniel, M. (2006). Impact and
implications of disruptive behavior in the perioperative
arena. Journal of American College of Surgeons,
203, 96-105. doi: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2006.03.027

July 2019 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter Page 13
Ready to Run
Rachel Koshy, DNP, ANP,
NP-C, RN
On March 15 and 16, I was
sponsored by NJSNA’s Interested
Nurses Political Action Committee
(INPAC) to attend READY to RUN,
a two day conference presented by
the Center for American Women and
Politics (CAWP), at Rutgers University
in New Brunswick. CAWP is located
at Rutgers’ Eagleton Institute of
Politics. I serve as an INPAC Region
1 member.
The conference was phenomenal.
I met with many women leaders
interested in politics and ready to run
this year and next year. Nationally
recognized leaders shared their best
and varied knowledge about how to
raise funds, attract voters and what it is like to be a woman in politics. Women are
so powerful, unbelievable, unimaginable and unthinkable.
On the first day, our New Jersey Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver was the welcome
and keynote speaker. She was filled with rigor and enthusiasm and motivated us
in taking a stand in politics. She stated that “we should always show up.” I think if
she can do it, we all could.
Also, a diversity initiative program was held which aimed at increasing the
participation of women of color in NJ politics. There were three sessions offered:
1. Rising Stars: Educating Asian American Women in Politics.
2. Run Sister Run: Women of the African Diaspora Changing the Political
Landscape.
3. Eleccion Latina
Tara Dowdell, founder of Tara Dowdell group, presented a plenary session
which included digital strategies for candidates, campaigns and advocates. She
gave us varied ideas for creating your brand, creating an online campaign, a
website, fundraising tools and much more information.
Cate Gormley, Vice President of Lake Research Partners, conducted a session
on “What Women Candidates Need to Know.” Surprisingly, she pointed out
that in their research they found a strong tie between being qualified and being
likeable. Voters will vote for the man they think is qualified and don’t like, but
not for a woman. So, women need to be qualified and likeable.
Two optional tracks were offered:
Track 1: Launching Your Campaign, by Eva Pusateri, President and Founder of
Expert Communication and Training, Inc. This session provided the key elements
of a campaign including assessing and establishing oneself as a candidate,
developing a campaign plan, structuring a campaign organization and voter
contact.
Track 2: Finding your Political Voice and Influence was a panel discussion,
designed for those who were not yet ready to run, but want to have some impact
on certain key issues. The session offered the nuts and bolts of government and
political parties in the state, basically getting active with the political party.
Through this experience, I attained a wealth of knowledge about the different
aspects of running for a political position; it isn’t easy and requires lot of money.
The money could be generated slowly but steadily. Always remember where
there is a will, there is a way. If someone has the desire or determination to do
something, she/he will definitely find a method to achieve it.
YOU JOINED NJSNA!
NOW WHAT?
Eleanor Withington-Dietrich, BSN, MA
Recently at a meeting of the Directors of Membership for each region of
NJSNA we discussed the challenges of membership engagement. Regardless
of the area of the state, all of us recognized that membership engagement is a
challenge. What can we do to promote our members to become active in our
respective region’s activities?
In terms of numbers, NJSNA is generally well represented by New Jersey
professional nurses. The recent dues reduction has encouraged more nurses to
join the organization. This is a good thing, of course. No argument on that point.
But what happens when a nurse pays their dues, for perhaps the first time? What
expectations does that new member have?
According to the Why Join NJSNA brochure, there are five main benefits:
EDUCATION: Examples of programs presented at various region meetings-
Donna Cardella-The Inspirational Nurse; Political Advocacy and You; Legislation
and Nursing; Transforming the Technology Dependent Adult from Hospital to
Home. Additionally, the Foundation of NJSNA awards scholarships, research
grants and has a career center.
POLICY DEVELOPMENT: Examples: NJSNA is lobbying for legislation
for protection of the title of Nurse; Board of Nursing Compact; staffing to be
determined by Nursing. In addition, studying the proposed legislation on End of
Life and legalization of marijuana and how these bills would affect nurses and
nursing.
LEADERSHIP: Mentoring relationships for nurses who aspire to leadership and
for new members to the organization in order to assist them in maximizing the
benefits of belonging.
PROFESSIONAL REPRESENTATION: NJSNA staff attend various
professional and other health care association programs to keep nurses and
nursing in the forefront.
WORKPLACE ADVOCACY: Members and staff of NJSNA network with other
nursing associations to advocate healthy workplace environments. Meetings are
also held with legislators to keep them informed of nursing concerns. Staff and the
President of NJSNA also have been interviewed for TV and for newspapers.
But let’s face it, these benefits will not be realized if the individual members do
not engage themselves.
So then, what efforts can be made in each region to draw our members in
helping them to see that their participation will enhance what they each get out of
their membership?
Possible approaches to increasing engagement, retaining members and
recruiting new members:
1. Send a welcome card, letter and/or email to each new member. Include
contact information for the Region Board members and list Region meeting
dates.
2. Develop a Region newsletter to be sent by each County Coordinator to
members in their respective county. Topics for this newsletter could be
Region news, member accomplishments, upcoming Region and NJSNA
events along with contact information for the County coordinator.
3. For any member who may hesitate to become involved, there are resources
and mentoring efforts to assist members as they step into new roles by
those with experience.
4. Comments, concerns, suggestions or the need for further information may
be sent to the membership committee at jennnifer@njsna.org
Thank you to all NJSNA members for their hard work and anticipated
participation in these efforts to engage our members.

Page 14 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter July 2019
Join us!
Future of Nursing 2020-2030
Town Hall Meetings
The Committee on the Future of Nursing 2020-2030 is holding three regional
meetings to hear from you.
The committee is interested in your insights on how to advance the profession
of nursing to help our nation create a culture of health, reduce health disparities,
and improve the health and well-being of the U.S. population in the 21st century.
Each meeting will feature panel discussions around a specific topic, followed by
time for public comments.
We hope you can join us in person!
Can’t attend? The events will be webcast, and select online comments will be
read aloud.
To learn more about the study, watch the video of the first public meeting, and
register, please visit nam.edu/FutureofNursing2030.
Register to attend online or in person
Meeting Locations:
Chicago
Theme: Education, Research and Practice
Friday, June 7
8:30–12:30 pm CDT
Malcolm X College
Register to attend or watch online
Philadelphia
Theme: Vulnerable Populations and Paying for Care
Wednesday, July 24
8:30 am–12:30 pm EDT
UPenn School of Nursing
Register to attend or watch online
Seattle
Theme: High Tech, High Touch
Wednesday, August 7
8:30 am–12:30 pm PDT
University of Washington
Register to attend or watch online
Learn about regional town hall meetings, coming this summer, at nam.edu/
FutureofNursing2030.
Assemblywoman Jasey: A Nurse
Champion in the State House
Kathleen Prendergast APN, PMHNP
Assemblywoman Mila Jasey was interviewed by this
writer and Mary Cullen-Drill APN in October 2012 for
the NJ Nurse. It’s been six years since that interview
and Asw Jasey is still championing education and health
issues for New Jersey residents.
Assemblywoman Mila Jasey was first elected to the
New Jersey General Assembly on November 6th, 2007.
She is serving her 6th term representing District 27
which includes 14 towns in Morris and Essex Counties.
Prior to serving in the New Jersey Assembly, Asw. Jasey
served as a member of the South Orange/Maplewood
Board of Education for three terms, including two years
as President.
Mila Jasey
Educational and professional practice experiences
which prepared Asw. Jasey for her role in the legislature started as a history major
at Barnard College. She then went to Pace University for her master’s degree
in Nursing. Her interest in nursing was spurred by a summer study program in
West Africa where she was influenced by a public health nurse. She worked in
rehabilitative nursing at Montefiore hospital in the Bronx and the Rusk Institute for
Rehabilitative Medicine at New York Hospital in Manhattan. Asw. Jasey was also a
lactation specialist at both Newark Beth Israel and Orange Memorial Hospital and
was a La Leche League Leader in Essex county for over twenty years.
Asw. Jasey supports New Jersey’s First Lady Tammy Murphy’s Nurture NJ
statewide awareness campaign which is trying to reduce infant and maternal
mortality. The campaign seeks to ensure equitable care among women and children
of all races and ethnicities. The First Lady is championing the coverage for doula
care services to expectant mothers receiving Medicaid. Doula services refer to the
physical and emotional support for a mother before, during and after childbirth
provided by a trained individual. More information about doulas can be found at
https://www.dona.org/what-is-a-doula/. Another important healthcare issue Asw.
Jasey has addressed is with her sponsorship of a bill to eliminate the vaccination
exemption which can help prevent outbreaks of serious transmittable diseases.
In addition, Asw Jasey is focused on ensuring affordable housing for New
Jersey residents. She is keenly aware of the state’s housing needs, particularly
those of the mentally ill and the disabled. Reducing the stigma of mental illness
and making sure services are available for those who need them is also a priority.
In contrast to posting armed guards in the school systems, she is supporting more
mental health care within schools to identify students who need help. She is in
support of Pre-K education for all. Her nursing background has contributed to her
awareness of the importance of early childhood intervention and how it promotes
long range success. “Why wait to have children fail?” Asw. Jasey is also a sponsor
of A854 which is the "Consumer Access to Health Care Act." This bill eliminates
the requirement of a joint protocol with a physician for advanced practice nurses
to prescribe medication. A list of all of the bills she has sponsored or co-sponsored
in these is available at https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/members/bio.asp?Leg=284.
Mila Jasey is one of 37 women in the 2018 New Jersey Legislature. There is
a total of 120 seats; women serve in 27 of the 80 seats in the Assembly and
10 of the 40 seats in the Senate. She and Asw. Nancy F. Munoz are the only
nurses. Women only make up approximately a quarter of the total seats. Asw.
Jasey encourages all women to get more involved in the political process since she
believes women bring an additional perspective to the table. She recommends that
they get support from organizations that help promote women in politics. One
of the most notable national organizations happens to be in New Jersey at the
Rutgers Eagleton Institute of Politics -Center for American Women and Politics
(CAWP). More information is available at: https://www.cawp.rutgers.edu/.
Save the Date!!
NJSNA and the Institute for Nursing
Professional Summit
Thursday, October 10, 2019
The Cranbury Inn, Cranbury, NJ
Theme: “It’s Your License: Do You Know How to
Influence Legislative Decision-Makers?”

July 2019 New Jersey Nurse & Institute for Nursing Newsletter Page 15
Assemblywoman Munoz:
A Nurse Champion in the Legislature
INPAC CHAIR
Message
Suzanne Drake, PhD, APRN, BC
Background
NJ Assemblywoman Nancy
F. Munoz RN, MSN, CNS,
was sworn into office on May
21, 2009, filling the unexpired
term of her late husband,
Assemblyman Eric Munoz,
MD. On November 3, 2009,
she was elected to a two-year
term representing the 21st
legislative District, re-elected
to four subsequent terms and
in the Assembly leadership, Nancy F. Munoz
she serves as Republican
Whip. She serves on five committees including Health
and Senior Services and Women and Children.
SMD
A graduate of Skidmore, and earning your MSN
at Hunter College, CUNY, you worked at Yale New
Haven, Mass General and Sloan Kettering Hospitals.
How did you, a former ICU nurse become a lawmaker
and a leader in New Jersey Politics?
ASW MUNOZ:
My life changed when Eric died suddenly on March
30, 2009, from a ruptured aortic aneurysm. Eric and I
had five kids at home. One day about two years before
he died, we were talking about my nursing career
direction. Out of the blue he said, "In case something
happens to me, you should run for Assembly."
SMD: What is it about being a nurse that has uniquely
prepared you for the legislature?
ASW MUNOZ: Nothing could have prepared me
more for the legislature than my nursing background.
I loved taking care of patients and now I love taking
care of the people of NJ. I also loved being part of
a team working toward the same goal, an asset
in the Assembly as I am really good at working in
a bipartisan fashion. Nursing is the most trusted
profession and I know I have the trust of my
colleagues and constituents as a legislator.
SMD: You have sponsored bills involving emergency
medical services, healthcare and protecting women
and children from violence and abuse. What other
issues are you passionate about?
ASW MUNOZ: Definitely protecting women
and children, but I have always wanted to make a
difference in healthcare and nursing. The Institute
of Medicine Report on the Future of Nursing was
an important document. I am convinced that the
joint protocol that mandates a written collaborative
agreement between a physician and an APN is
outdated and needs to be removed. After 40 years
of documented safety, a joint protocol is not needed.
Professional health care practitioners all use evidencebased
practice, basing care on scientific research of
best practices.
As primary sponsor of A879/S391, Consumer
Access to Healthcare Act, I am committed to
improving access to healthcare by removing barriers
for nurses to practice to the fullest extent of their
education and training...not beyond, mind you, but
to practice fully within our scope of practice. I am
working with NJSNA and nurse leaders throughout
the state to do so.
SMD: How does having a nurse in the legislature
improve nursing, health care and access to care for
New Jersey Residents?
ASW MUNOZ: I am a most important voice in
Trenton because I'm one of nursing’s biggest advocates
in the State House. I am not anti-physician! However,
nurses are critical to the delivery of healthcare and
we need to be part of the policy decisions to improve
delivery and access to care in NJ.
SMD: What is your main concern with the nursing
profession today, and do you think you will continue
to be able to make inroads from your position in the
statehouse?
ASW MUNOZ: Academic progression for one; there
is an increasing impetus for the BSN to be a minimal
level of entry into our profession. Rapidly expanding
technology and practices place greater demands
on nursing competencies. The Institute of Medicine
has recommended that 80 percent of the nursing
workforce have a bachelor’s degree by 2020. Creating
a more highly educated nursing workforce will help
address the increasing complexity in our healthcare
system.
SMD: There is a rumor that you are against Safe
Staffing because you voted against it. Can you explain
your position on that?
ASW MUNOZ: Nothing could be farther from the
truth. I am NOT against Safe Staffing! I am against
the way the bill stated nurse to patient ratios and safe
staffing should be based on the need of the patient,
not about a specific number.
SMD: What can New Jersey nurses do to make a
difference in the current healthcare conundrum?
ASW MUNOZ: We are the largest number of
professionals in healthcare in the US. That’s a
powerful force! Nurses are the backbone of the
healthcare delivery system. Nurses must be at
the decision making table or others will make the
decisions. Get involved in public policy. Nurses need
to understand how important it is to be involved
politically. You are the people on the front lines
dealing with health issues. Legislators need to hear
from you. I want to hear from you!
SMD: Although tragic circumstances brought you
to the Statehouse, you discovered that you have
been prepared for this role and are now in a pivotal
position to truly create change. Your personal loss has
been profound, and yet your ability to be open to the
rich possibilities inherent in the present moment bears
evidence of your exceptional resiliency. Thank you so
much for your inspiration.
Keith Hovey, RN, ESQ.
Nurses understand that
to provide quality care for
their patients, they must
act as patient-advocates.
Just as patients need their
nurse advocates in the
health care setting, nurses
need legislators to be their
advocates in the legislative
setting. Bills affecting
nurses and health care are
presently being debated at
the Statehouse. Currently, the Keith Hovey
NJ legislature is considering bills such as protecting
the title of nurse; the use of medical and recreational
marijuana; removing restrictions from joint protocols
for advanced nurse practitioners; and staffing ratios to
name a few.
In a show of true bipartisanship, nurses in
NJ are fortunate to have two advocates in NJ
Assembly that are also professional nurses. These
two Assemblywomen, Mila Jasey, a Democrat and
Nancy Munoz, a Republican, are among the entire
80 Assembly members who are running for election
on November 4. As nurse legislators, their success in
becoming reelected is crucial to ensuring that nurses
continue to have advocates in the Assembly who
understand that NJ nurses make a major contribution
to the delivery of health care in the State. (See NJ
Nurse features on pages 14 and 15 on Asw. Jasey
and Asw. Munoz).