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The NJCCN team continues to advocate on behalf of nurses in NJ and disseminate information to our valued constituents. | |
NJCCN 2026 Summer Newsletter | | |
NJ Organizations of Nursing Empowered (O.N.E.) Coalition
RSVP Today!
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NJCCN is proud to announce the launch of the New Jersey Organizations of Nursing Empowered (O.N.E.) Coalition, a statewide collaboration of professional nursing organizations focused on advancing shared priorities and educating policymakers on key nursing and healthcare issues.
The coalition will officially launch with a hybrid kick-off event on Friday, September 11, 2026, from 1:00–3:00 PM at the Rutgers Club in Piscataway, NJ, with a virtual Zoom option available.
New Jersey nursing organization presidents and alternate officers are invited to attend to learn more about the coalition and explore opportunities for involvement.
Event Flyer
R.S.V.P. by September 4, 2026 to participate!
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NJCCN Testimony Skills Workshop For Nurses
Now Open for Registration
NJCCN invites New Jersey RNs, LPNs, APNs, and nursing students to join an in-person workshop designed to strengthen skills in delivering effective legislative testimony and advocating on nursing and healthcare issues in New Jersey.
Event Flyer
📅 Date: September 16, 2026
📍 Location: The Rutgers Club, Piscataway, NJ
💲 Registration Fee: $75
Earn: 5 contact hours
Space is limited—register today to reserve your spot!
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| | ADVOCACY & POLICY INITIATIVES | | |
Empowering Advanced Practice Nurses in New Jersey
On June 8, 2026, NJCCN, in partnership with Rutgers School of Nursing, hosted a special celebration recognizing the passage of the APN Access to Care Bill (S2996/A4052).
The event honored the advocates, legislators, and nursing leaders whose efforts helped secure full practice authority for eligible advanced practice nurses in New Jersey. It also marked the launch of the New Jersey Organizations of Nursing Empowered (O.N.E.) Coalition, a collaborative effort dedicated to advancing nursing priorities through a unified voice in policy and advocacy.
Watch a video recap commemorating this milestone and hear from nursing leaders reflecting on the impact of full practice authority and the future of APN practice in New Jersey.
PRESS RELEASE
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2026 Alternate Care Environments (ACE) Immersion Program Summer Externship
NJCCN kicked off it's Summer Externship component of the ACE Immersion Program taking place July 6 - Aug. 14, 2026 with a virtual orientation with 20 Rutgers School of Nursing students and representatives from our partnering facilities.
This program is designed to expand students’ exposure to nursing roles beyond the acute care setting through shadowing experiences in long-term care (LTC), assisted living, and other out-of-hospital environments. It offers valuable insight into a wide range of high-demand nursing specialties.
| | (L–R: Summer Extern Vanessa K., Adult Day Center participant, and Parker Life Nurse Preceptor Blanche Mikrut.) | | | This program is partially supported by a grant from the NJ Industry Partnerships – New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development | |
Celebrating School Nurses During National Apprenticeship Week
During National Apprenticeship Week, NJCCN celebrated its School Nurse Residency Program by highlighting several school nurse apprentices on social media. Each spotlight shared the apprentice's journey, experiences, and commitment to advancing school health across New Jersey.
Follow NJCCN on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram to read each apprentice's story.
The program is partially funded through a New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development grant.
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Celebrating NJCCN Nurse Leadership
NJCCN congratulates Sue Weaver, PhD, RN, CRNI, NEA-BC, on being selected for the next class of Fellows with the American Academy of Nursing. This prestigious recognition reflects Dr. Weaver’s dedication to advancing nursing science, leadership, and the future of the profession. Read the full announcement to learn more about this distinguished recognition.
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Our Website Has Been Updated!
We’ve made some exciting updates to the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing website! Take a look around and explore the refreshed site, updated resources, and more.
🎥 Check out our video to see what’s new!
| | | Conference & Presentation Highlights | | (Left to right: Dr. Susan Weaver, Dr. Margaret Daingerfield; Dr. Daria Waszak) | | (Left to right: Dr. Carol Gioia; Dr. Daria Waszak) | | |
NJCCN was represented at the 2026 ONL-NJ Conference with two poster presentations highlighting innovative nursing leadership and workforce initiatives:
- The Re-Integration of LPNs into Acute Care Teams: A Qualitative Exploration of Leadership Views
- Cultivating Competence and Confidence for New Advanced Practice Providers: An Interprofessional APP Transition-to-Practice (APP TTP) Collaborative in New Jersey
Results of cohort one of the APP TTP showed high retention and program satisfaction with growth in confidence by more than 22% and competency by more than 24% at the end of the program compared to baseline.
Congratulations to the Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey on another successful event.
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2026 New Jersey Statewide Nursing Summit
NJCCN joined nurse leaders from across New Jersey at the 2026 New Jersey Statewide Nursing Summit, hosted by the François-Xavier Bagnoud (FXB) Center at Rutgers School of Nursing. Dr. Daria Waszak's presentation explored the vital role nurses play in shaping healthcare policy, contributing to meaningful discussions on leadership, innovation, and the future of nursing practice.
NJCCN was honored to participate in this collaborative statewide event.
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2026 LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware Annual Conference
Tyla Minniear of the New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute (NJHCQI) and Dr. Daria Waszak presented at the LeadingAge New Jersey & Delaware Annual Conference in Atlantic City. Their session, “Data to Action: Strengthening New Jersey’s Direct Care Workforce Through CNA Survey Insights,” explored how survey data can inform strategies to support and strengthen the state’s direct care workforce.
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NJ-NEW Conference Spotlight
Newton Ochoki, PhD candidate, MSN, RN, presented a poster highlighting the impact of NJ-NEW’s Virtual Schwartz Rounds sessions. The presentation explored the program’s effectiveness and emphasized the importance of well-being initiatives that support nurses and promote a healthier work environment.
| | | | Nursing Recognition & Awareness | |
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Celebrating School Nurses
During National Nurses Week, NJCCN recognized National School Nurse Day by celebrating the important role school nurses play in promoting the health and well-being of New Jersey's students.
Dr. Daria Waszak joined Rutgers School of Nursing faculty member Dr. Cathy Grano, and the nurses completing the School Nurse Residency Program to recognize their commitment to advancing school nursing and strengthening the future of the nursing profession.
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Recognizing Men's Health
For Men's Health Week, we spotlighted Danny Tamayo, FNP-C, Founder and Family Nurse Practitioner for Prime Vitality Men's Health here in NJ.
This year's Men's Health Week theme was "Partners in Care: For Better Lifespans Across the Lifespan," underscoring the importance of prevention and quality care for men.
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Recognizing Nurse Scientists
For Nurse Scientist Day, NJCCN proudly spotlighted Pamela de Cordova, PhD, RN-BC, and Susan Weaver, PhD, RN, CRNI, NEA-BC, in recognition of their valuable contributions to nursing science and practice in New Jersey.
We are grateful for the impact they continue to make in our profession!
| | | "By researching organizational issues, I also consider nurse well-being, to ensure that we can effectively care for our patients and ourselves." - Dr. Pamela de Cordova | | |
Missed our Nursing Recognition Spotlights on Social? Follow NJCCN to learn about the outstanding nurses we recognized and stay connected with our latest news, initiatives, and upcoming nursing recognition highlights.
Don’t forget to like, follow, and share!
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New Jersey Nursing Insights Podcast | Real Conversations with Real Nurses |
Latest Podcast Episodes:
Ep. 37| Why Every Nurse Should Join a Professional Organization with Dan Misa and Sara Humeny.
Ep. 38| Neuroscience Nursing – More Than Medicine with Patty Anthony.
Ep. 39| Beyond the Dues: How Professional Nursing Organizations Shape Careers with Deb Prinzo and Tracy Vitale.
Coming Soon!
Topics: - Safe Haven: The Law that Saves Babies
-Healthcare Quality Improvement: Help from AI
New Jersey Nursing Insights podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and other major streaming sites.
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Acute Care Clinical Coordinator Nurse Residency Mentoring Collaborative
Sept. 10, 2026
New Brunswick, NJ
The Acute Care Nurse Residency Mentoring Collaborative will reconnect this fall as participating hospitals continue advancing mentorship initiatives. The meeting will mark the conclusion of Spark Reach Leadership's professional development series, along with updates from MentorLead and Vizient.
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ONLNJ 9th Annual Administrative Supervisor's Virtual (Evening/Night) Supervisor Conference
Sept. 17, 2026
Virtual
A program specifically for Administrative Supervisors who are the designated nurse leaders on evenings, nights and weekends.
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Tri-Council
for Nursing
Oct. 14, 2026
New Brunswick, NJ
Nursing education leaders from across the state will gather for the Tri‑Council’s ongoing work to support New Jersey’s nursing programs.
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NJCCN INITIATIVES
OVERVIEW
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Congratulations NJCCN!
NJCCN received its 7th Growing Apprenticeship in Nontraditional Sectors (GAINS) grant from the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) to continue the statewide Acute Care RN Residency Collaborative.
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New Jersey Acute Care Nurse Residency Collaborative Members | |
Long-Term Care Nurse Residency Program
We are currently in the second cohort of the Long-Term Care Nurse Residency (LTC NR) Program. The LTC NR Program is an online transition-to-practice program designed for new RN and LPN graduates. Its primary goal is to improve nurse retention and enhance patient safety in long-term care settings.
Program Partners
- Christian Health
- Complete Care at Green Acres
- Health Village
- Peace Care St. Ann’s
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Northern NJ Industry Partnerships – New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development.
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New Jersey Acute Care Nurse Residency Collaborative
The acute care collaborative aims to increase the use of standardized, high-quality nurse residency programs across the state through the implementation of the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program.
There are now 22 hospitals (14 in the GAINS Grant) participating in the Nurse Residency Collaborative. The turnover rate for our NJ Collaborative is 10-12% (Waszak, Cadmus, Roberts, 2025). This demonstrates a return on investment (ROI) for organizations.
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School Nurse Residency Program
The New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN), in partnership with Rutgers School of Nursing, kicked off its Summer 2026 cohort of the School Nurse Residency. Twenty emergency-certified school nurses are enrolled in the program to help address New Jersey's school nurse shortage.
Supported in part by a New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development GAINS grant, this program provides registered nurses with mentorship, clinical experience in their school district, and specialized education leading to New Jersey School Nurse Certification.
There is a 13% deficit of certified school nurses in the state, so this program will help mitigate this gap.
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Advanced Practice Provider (APP) – Transition To Practice
In 2025, an APP transition to practice program was established with 3 New Jersey healthcare organizations, AtlantiCare, Virtua Medical Group, and Holy Name Medical Center.
NJCCN serves as the facilitator for this program with Vizient and ThriveAP to ensure a smooth transition into practice with more than 14 different advanced practice specialties. So far, more than 40 APNs have been enrolled with little attrition and very positive feedback from APNs.
Results of cohort one showed high retention and program satisfaction with growth in confidence by more than 22% and competency by more than 24% at the end of the program compared to baseline.
| | | 222st NJ Legislative Session (2026-2027) | | |
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NJ Access to Care Bill (S2996/A4052)
The New Jersey Access to Care legislation (S2996/A4052) has officially passed in the Senate and Assembly removing the joint protocol requirement for certain advanced practice nurses.
This significant milestone reflects a continued commitment to improving access to healthcare services across the state. The legislation is intended to expand access to primary and mental health care.
Although not all advanced practice nurses were included, it represents an important step forward in addressing healthcare needs and strengthening the delivery of care for New Jersey residents by Advanced Practice Nurses.
The New Jersey Board of Nursing in in the process of reviewing this new law to readopt it into regulation in the coming months.
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Stay informed about the latest NJ nursing legislative developments!
Senate Bill S2981
Nursing Workforce
Establishes certain requirements and initiatives related to nurses; appropriate funds.
Senate Bill 2996/A4052
Eliminates certain practice restrictions for advanced practice nurses.
(Passed by the NJ Legislature and signed into law 3/30/26)
S4194/A4852 Acs (ACS)/S4210
Revises certain requirements for prescription of Schedule II controlled dangerous substances via telemedicine and telehealth without in-person examination or review.
(Passed by the NJ Legislature and signed into law 7/8/2026) _ NJBON Announcement
Senate Bill 2729
Creates a Midwifery Licensure Act.
Senate Bill A4357
Extends certain pay parity regarding telemedicine and telehealth
(Passed by the NJ Legislature and signed into law on 6/30/2026)
Senate Bill S3022
Establishes the “Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act.”
Senate Bill S4034
Nurse Preceptor Tax Credit.
Senate Bill S4001
Transfers oversight of CNAs to Board of Nursing.
Senate Bill S4028
Establishes Nursing School Expansion Grant Program.
Senate Bill S818
Requires the Division of Consumer Affairs to hire staff to alleviate the professional license application backlog; and appropriates $10,000,000 in fiscal years 2024, 2025, and 2026.
Senate Bill A2206
Certified Medication Aide in Nursing Homes Staffing Support Act authorizes medication aides, who are certified by the Department of Health (DOH), to administer medications, as delegated by and under the authority of a registered professional nurse, in State licensed nursing homes.
Senate Bill A367/S586
Tuition reimbursement program for APNs providing mental health services in underserved NJ.
Senate Bill A2474
Prohibits use of “Nurse” title by unlicensed person.
| | Visit our website for a complete list of legislation NJCCN is actively tracking. | | Nurses on Boards Coalition | | | | | |
New Jersey NOBC
State Report
Biannual Report
June 2026
New Jersey NOBC Database Registrations:
464 Total Board Service
181 Nurses Interested in Serving on an Additional Board
365 Nurses Want to Serve
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NJCCN is excited to share that New Jersey has met and surpassed its board service goal as part of the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) initiative!
Thank you to the dedication of nurses across our state, we have exceeded our target and continue to expand nurse representation on boards, committees, councils, and advisory groups.
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Explore Our Latest Nursing Infographics!
Stay informed with NJCCN's newest data-driven resources available now on our website.
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Resources & Tips to Achieve Better Health | |
NURSING WELL-BEING & RESILIENCE
Your Well-Being Matters!
Take some time to explore the various resources in our Wellness Hub
| | | | Sign Up & Share Your Stories | | Stay informed about the latest nursing legislative developments, new episodes of the Nursing Insights Podcast, and updates that impact the nursing workforce in New Jersey. | | | |
We’d love to feature your journey and how you’ve advanced in your nursing career on our NJCCN social media. Click below to share your story and inspire others!
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