New Jersey is making strides in meeting the challenges of a looming nursing shortage by providing incentives that are persuading some in the profession to turn to teaching the next generation of nurses.

These nurses are pursuing advanced degrees with the intent to serve as nurse faculty through the New Jersey Nursing Initiative. Launched in 2009 with $30 million in funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), a number of nurses have already been hired and others are working on their doctoral degrees.

This commitment from RWJF “is transformational,” said Lynn Mertz, deputy director of the New Jersey Nursing Initiative. Eighteen of the scholars have completed the master’s in nursing program, and several have joined nursing school faculties. “They can teach with a master’s but our idea and hope is that the master’s students will continue on for their doctorates,” she said. Read More