Sep 1, 2011 | Press Releases
202/371-1999
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Jersey Nursing Initiative Graduates 18 Scholars Who Will Teach the Next Generation of Nurses
Middlesex County, NJ – New Jersey, like the rest of the country, is facing potentially crippling nurse and nurse faculty shortages. Without enough prospective nursing students to fill the gap or sufficient nurse faculty to teach them, the Garden State’s health will suffer and health care costs will likely increase.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working hard to change that dire prognosis, and today announced the graduation of 18 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. Two are from Middlesex county: Andrew Fruhschien, M.S.N., R.N., N.P.-C., E.M.T.B., of Edison, earned his M.S.N. degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU); and Kristine Martinho, M.S.N., R.N., of East Brunswick, earned her M.S.N. degree from The College of New Jersey. Fruhschien is now adjunct faculty in the B.S.N. program at FDU, and will begin teaching in the fall.
“The opportunity to be a part of the New Jersey Nursing Scholars program was truly a wonderful experience. I had unmatched experiences and prospects which will allow me to continue being an exceptional nurse educator and leader in the future. Without this experience, I would not have learned and refined the art of education, and how to continue my academic career as an educator,” said Fruhschien.
NJNI is a multi-year, multi-million dollar project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The program provides generous benefits and support to help RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars complete their advanced degree studies. Upon graduation, Scholars have the opportunity to receive financial incentives if they become faculty members at schools of nursing in the state.
“We are so proud to announce the graduation of our first cohort of Scholars,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “They represent the future of nursing in the state and will be preparing the next generation of nurses for the health care challenges that lie ahead. We look to them to be leaders and to become an integral part of our long-term efforts to transform nursing and nurse education in New Jersey.” Bakewell-Sachs is interim provost of The College of New Jersey.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the health care needs of New Jersey residents. The Faculty Preparation Program is a key part of NJNI’s strategy. It has awarded $13.5 million in grants to New Jersey-based nursing programs and education collaboratives, and includes 60 New Jersey Nursing Scholars who are completing master’s or doctoral degrees. Each has received a scholarship covering tuition and fees, and a $50,000 per year stipend to cover living expenses for the two to four years spent as full-time students.
Many faculty members at New Jersey nursing schools are approaching retirement, and there are not enough people in the pipeline to fill their positions. In addition, few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach. All nurse faculty must hold at least a master’s degree. NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy significantly longer teaching careers than average nurse faculty members who go into higher education mid-way through their careers.
The Scholars’ graduation comes as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is embarking on a campaign to transform the nursing profession to improve health and health care. Based on the recommendations from a groundbreaking Institute of Medicine nursing report released last year—The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, RWJF is spearheading the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action to engage nurses and non-nurses in a nationwide effort to overhaul the nursing profession. The campaign is working to implement solutions to the challenges facing the nursing profession and to build upon nurse-based approaches to improving quality and transforming the way Americans receive health care.
NJNI is a partner in this effort, and serves as the coordinating office for the New Jersey Action Coalition, an advocacy organization led by a team of recognized and highly-respected leaders in health and health care. New Jersey’s Action Coalition includes four volunteer-led work groups, each tasked with developing and implementing plans to advance a goal identified in the report as a priority. The Action Coalition draws its strength from New Jersey nursing and non-nursing leaders working together to devise solutions.
For more information, visit www.NJNI.org.
# # # #
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measureable and timely change. For nearly 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization based in Trenton. Created in 1911, the State Chamber staff represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues at the State House and in Washington. The organization also links the state’s local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network.
Sep 1, 2011 | Press Releases
202/371-1999
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Jersey Nursing Initiative Graduates 18 Scholars Who Will Teach the Next Generation of Nurses
Hunterdon, NJ – New Jersey, like the rest of the country, is facing potentially crippling nurse and nurse faculty shortages. Without enough prospective nursing students to fill the gap or sufficient nurse faculty to teach them, the Garden State’s health will suffer and health care costs will likely increase.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working hard to change that dire prognosis, and today announced the graduation of 18 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. One is from Hunterdon county: Elizabeth Arnold, M.S.N., R.N., of Glen Gardner earned her M.S.N. degree from Kean University. Arnold is now full time faculty at Kean University and will begin teaching in the fall.
“Being a New Jersey Nursing Scholar means that I have had the opportunity to advance my education under an umbrella of support that will ensure my success as a future nurse educator,” said Arnold.
NJNI is a multi-year, multi-million dollar project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The program provides generous benefits and support to help RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars complete their advanced degree studies. Upon graduation, Scholars have the opportunity to receive financial incentives if they become faculty members at schools of nursing in the state.
“We are so proud to announce the graduation of our first cohort of Scholars,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “They represent the future of nursing in the state and will be preparing the next generation of nurses for the health care challenges that lie ahead. We look to them to be leaders and to become an integral part of our long-term efforts to transform nursing and nurse education in New Jersey.” Bakewell-Sachs is interim provost of The College of New Jersey.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the health care needs of New Jersey residents. The Faculty Preparation Program is a key part of NJNI’s strategy. It has awarded $13.5 million in grants to New Jersey-based nursing programs and education collaboratives, and includes 60 New Jersey Nursing Scholars who are completing master’s or doctoral degrees. Each has received a scholarship covering tuition and fees, and a $50,000 per year stipend to cover living expenses for the two to four years spent as full-time students.
Many faculty members at New Jersey nursing schools are approaching retirement, and there are not enough people in the pipeline to fill their positions. In addition, few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach. All nurse faculty must hold at least a master’s degree. NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy significantly longer teaching careers than average nurse faculty members who go into higher education mid-way through their careers.
The Scholars’ graduation comes as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is embarking on a campaign to transform the nursing profession to improve health and health care. Based on the recommendations from a groundbreaking Institute of Medicine nursing report released last year—The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, RWJF is spearheading the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action to engage nurses and non-nurses in a nationwide effort to overhaul the nursing profession. The campaign is working to implement solutions to the challenges facing the nursing profession and to build upon nurse-based approaches to improving quality and transforming the way Americans receive health care.
NJNI is a partner in this effort, and serves as the coordinating office for the New Jersey Action Coalition, an advocacy organization led by a team of recognized and highly-respected leaders in health and health care. New Jersey’s Action Coalition includes four volunteer-led work groups, each tasked with developing and implementing plans to advance a goal identified in the report as a priority. The Action Coalition draws its strength from New Jersey nursing and non-nursing leaders working together to devise solutions.
For more information, visit www.NJNI.org.
# # # #
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measureable and timely change. For nearly 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization based in Trenton. Created in 1911, the State Chamber staff represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues at the State House and in Washington. The organization also links the state’s local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network.
Sep 1, 2011 | Press Releases
202/371-1999
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Jersey Nursing Initiative Graduates 18 Scholars Who Will Teach the Next Generation of Nurses
Essex, NJ – New Jersey, like the rest of the country, is facing potentially crippling nurse and nurse faculty shortages. Without enough prospective nursing students to fill the gap or sufficient nurse faculty to teach them, the Garden State’s health will suffer and health care costs will likely increase.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working hard to change that dire prognosis, and today announced the graduation of 18 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. One is from Essex county: Hye Jin Gehring, M.S.N., R.N., of Nutley, earned her M.S.N. degree from The College of New Jersey.
“I wanted to be a New Jersey Nursing Scholar so that I could become a nurse faculty member and help reverse the faculty shortage that we are facing which severely impacts the nursing shortage,” said Gehring.
NJNI is a multi-year, multi-million dollar project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The program provides generous benefits and support to help RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars complete their advanced degree studies. Upon graduation, Scholars have the opportunity to receive financial incentives if they become faculty members at schools of nursing in the state.
“We are so proud to announce the graduation of our first cohort of Scholars,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “They represent the future of nursing in the state and will be preparing the next generation of nurses for the health care challenges that lie ahead. We look to them to be leaders and to become an integral part of our long-term efforts to transform nursing and nurse education in New Jersey.” Bakewell-Sachs is interim provost of The College of New Jersey.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the health care needs of New Jersey residents. The Faculty Preparation Program is a key part of NJNI’s strategy. It has awarded $13.5 million in grants to New Jersey-based nursing programs and education collaboratives, and includes 60 New Jersey Nursing Scholars who are completing master’s or doctoral degrees. Each has received a scholarship covering tuition and fees, and a $50,000 per year stipend to cover living expenses for the two to four years spent as full-time students.
Many faculty members at New Jersey nursing schools are approaching retirement, and there are not enough people in the pipeline to fill their positions. In addition, few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach. All nurse faculty must hold at least a master’s degree. NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy significantly longer teaching careers than average nurse faculty members who go into higher education mid-way through their careers.
The Scholars’ graduation comes as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is embarking on a campaign to transform the nursing profession to improve health and health care. Based on the recommendations from a groundbreaking Institute of Medicine nursing report released last year—The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, RWJF is spearheading the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action to engage nurses and non-nurses in a nationwide effort to overhaul the nursing profession. The campaign is working to implement solutions to the challenges facing the nursing profession and to build upon nurse-based approaches to improving quality and transforming the way Americans receive health care.
NJNI is a partner in this effort, and serves as the coordinating office for the New Jersey Action Coalition, an advocacy organization led by a team of recognized and highly-respected leaders in health and health care. New Jersey’s Action Coalition includes four volunteer-led work groups, each tasked with developing and implementing plans to advance a goal identified in the report as a priority. The Action Coalition draws its strength from New Jersey nursing and non-nursing leaders working together to devise solutions.
For more information, visit www.NJNI.org.
# # # #
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measureable and timely change. For nearly 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization based in Trenton. Created in 1911, the State Chamber staff represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues at the State House and in Washington. The organization also links the state’s local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network.
Sep 1, 2011 | Press Releases
202/371-1999
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Jersey Nursing Initiative Graduates 18 Scholars Who Will Teach the Next Generation of Nurses
Burlington, NJ – New Jersey, like the rest of the country, is facing potentially crippling nurse and nurse faculty shortages. Without enough prospective nursing students to fill the gap or sufficient nurse faculty to teach them, the Garden State’s health will suffer and health care costs will likely increase.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working hard to change that dire prognosis, and today announced the graduation of 18 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. One is from Burlington county: Dorothy Withers, M.S.N., R.N., of Maple Shade, earned her M.S.N. degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
“This has been a once in a life time opportunity to fulfill my dream of becoming both a Nurse Educator and Nurse Practitioner, and I am fortunate to have had the support and guidance of highly regarded nursing faculty as well as scholars of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey as I pursue my professional dream,” said Withers.
NJNI is a multi-year, multi-million dollar project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The program provides generous benefits and support to help RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars complete their advanced degree studies. Upon graduation, Scholars have the opportunity to receive financial incentives if they become faculty members at schools of nursing in the state.
“We are so proud to announce the graduation of our first cohort of Scholars,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “They represent the future of nursing in the state and will be preparing the next generation of nurses for the health care challenges that lie ahead. We look to them to be leaders and to become an integral part of our long-term efforts to transform nursing and nurse education in New Jersey.” Bakewell-Sachs is interim provost of The College of New Jersey.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the health care needs of New Jersey residents. The Faculty Preparation Program is a key part of NJNI’s strategy. It has awarded $13.5 million in grants to New Jersey-based nursing programs and education collaboratives, and includes 60 New Jersey Nursing Scholars who are completing master’s or doctoral degrees. Each has received a scholarship covering tuition and fees, and a $50,000 per year stipend to cover living expenses for the two to four years spent as full-time students.
Many faculty members at New Jersey nursing schools are approaching retirement, and there are not enough people in the pipeline to fill their positions. In addition, few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach. All nurse faculty must hold at least a master’s degree. NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy significantly longer teaching careers than average nurse faculty members who go into higher education mid-way through their careers.
The Scholars’ graduation comes as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is embarking on a campaign to transform the nursing profession to improve health and health care. Based on the recommendations from a groundbreaking Institute of Medicine nursing report released last year—The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, RWJF is spearheading the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action to engage nurses and non-nurses in a nationwide effort to overhaul the nursing profession. The campaign is working to implement solutions to the challenges facing the nursing profession and to build upon nurse-based approaches to improving quality and transforming the way Americans receive health care.
NJNI is a partner in this effort, and serves as the coordinating office for the New Jersey Action Coalition, an advocacy organization led by a team of recognized and highly-respected leaders in health and health care. New Jersey’s Action Coalition includes four volunteer-led work groups, each tasked with developing and implementing plans to advance a goal identified in the report as a priority. The Action Coalition draws its strength from New Jersey nursing and non-nursing leaders working together to devise solutions.
For more information, visit www.NJNI.org.
# # # #
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measureable and timely change. For nearly 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization based in Trenton. Created in 1911, the State Chamber staff represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues at the State House and in Washington. The organization also links the state’s local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network.
Sep 1, 2011 | Press Releases
202/371-1999
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Jersey Nursing Initiative Graduates 18 Scholars Who Will Teach the Next Generation of Nurses
Bergen County, NJ – New Jersey, like the rest of the country, is facing potentially crippling nurse and nurse faculty shortages. Without enough prospective nursing students to fill the gap or sufficient nurse faculty to teach them, the Garden State’s health will suffer and health care costs will likely increase.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working hard to change that dire prognosis, and today announced the graduation of 18 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. Two are from Bergen county: Erin Graulich, M.S.N., B.S.N., R.N., of Fort Lee, earned her M.S.N. degree from the Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU); and Mary “Rusti” Restaino, M.S.N., M.B.A, B.S.N., R.N., of Lyndhurst, earned her M.S.N. degree from William Paterson University. Graulich is now full-time faculty in the B.S.N. program at FDU, and will begin teaching in the fall.
“It has been a tremendous honor to have been a New Jersey Nursing Scholar, and I am grateful for the wonderful opportunities this has given me” said Graulich. “I am excited to begin my work at FDU this fall, and be able to share my knowledge and experience with new nursing students.”
NJNI is a multi-year, multi-million dollar project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The program provides generous benefits and support to help RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars complete their advanced degree studies. Upon graduation, Scholars have the opportunity to receive financial incentives if they become faculty members at schools of nursing in the state.
“We are so proud to announce the graduation of our first cohort of Scholars,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “They represent the future of nursing in the state and will be preparing the next generation of nurses for the health care challenges that lie ahead. We look to them to be leaders and to become an integral part of our long-term efforts to transform nursing and nurse education in New Jersey.” Bakewell-Sachs is interim provost of The College of New Jersey.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the health care needs of New Jersey residents. The Faculty Preparation Program is a key part of NJNI’s strategy. It has awarded $13.5 million in grants to New Jersey-based nursing programs and education collaboratives, and includes 60 New Jersey Nursing Scholars who are completing master’s or doctoral degrees. Each has received a scholarship covering tuition and fees, and a $50,000 per year stipend to cover living expenses for the two to four years spent as full-time students.
Many faculty members at New Jersey nursing schools are approaching retirement, and there are not enough people in the pipeline to fill their positions. In addition, few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach. All nurse faculty must hold at least a master’s degree. NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy significantly longer teaching careers than average nurse faculty members who go into higher education mid-way through their careers.
The Scholars’ graduation comes as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is embarking on a campaign to transform the nursing profession to improve health and health care. Based on the recommendations from a groundbreaking Institute of Medicine nursing report released last year—The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, RWJF is spearheading the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action to engage nurses and non-nurses in a nationwide effort to overhaul the nursing profession. The campaign is working to implement solutions to the challenges facing the nursing profession and to build upon nurse-based approaches to improving quality and transforming the way Americans receive health care.
NJNI is a partner in this effort, and serves as the coordinating office for the New Jersey Action Coalition, an advocacy organization led by a team of recognized and highly-respected leaders in health and health care. New Jersey’s Action Coalition includes four volunteer-led work groups, each tasked with developing and implementing plans to advance a goal identified in the report as a priority. The Action Coalition draws its strength from New Jersey nursing and non-nursing leaders working together to devise solutions.
For more information, visit www.NJNI.org.
# # # #
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measureable and timely change. For nearly 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization based in Trenton. Created in 1911, the State Chamber staff represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues at the State House and in Washington. The organization also links the state’s local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network.
Sep 1, 2011 | Press Releases
202/371-1999
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Jersey Nursing Initiative Graduates 18 Scholars Who Will Teach the Next Generation of Nurses
Atlantic County, NJ – New Jersey, like the rest of the country, is facing potentially crippling nurse and nurse faculty shortages. Without enough prospective nursing students to fill the gap or sufficient nurse faculty to teach them, the Garden State’s health will suffer and health care costs will likely increase.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working hard to change that dire prognosis, and today announced the graduation of 18 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. Five are from Atlantic county: Christine Bray, M.S.N., R.N., and Caitlin Faupel-Lehrfeld, M.S.N., R.N., both of Mays Landing, earned their M.S.N. degrees from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey; Jenee Skinner-Hamler, M.S.N., R.N., T.N.C.C., A.T.C.N., and Lia Valentin, M.S.N., R.N., also of Mays Landing, earned their M.S.N. degrees from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ); Patricia Saveriano, M.S.N., R.N., of Absecon, earned her M.S.N. degree from UMDNJ.
“Becoming a New Jersey Nursing Scholar was not a choice, but an honor and privilege presented by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in affiliation with UMDNJ. This program has offered me the distinguished opportunity to advance my education, and receive mentoring from the leaders within the nursing profession,” said Saveriano.
NJNI is a multi-year, multi-million dollar project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The program provides generous benefits and support to help RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars complete their advanced degree studies. Upon graduation, Scholars have the opportunity to receive financial incentives if they become faculty members at schools of nursing in the state.
“We are so proud to announce the graduation of our first cohort of Scholars,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “They represent the future of nursing in the state and will be preparing the next generation of nurses for the health care challenges that lie ahead. We look to them to be leaders and to become an integral part of our long-term efforts to transform nursing and nurse education in New Jersey.” Bakewell-Sachs is interim provost of The College of New Jersey.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the health care needs of New Jersey residents. The Faculty Preparation Program is a key part of NJNI’s strategy. It has awarded $13.5 million in grants to New Jersey-based nursing programs and education collaboratives, and includes 60 New Jersey Nursing Scholars who are completing master’s or doctoral degrees. Each has received a scholarship covering tuition and fees, and a $50,000 per year stipend to cover living expenses for the two to four years spent as full-time students.
Many faculty members at New Jersey nursing schools are approaching retirement, and there are not enough people in the pipeline to fill their positions. In addition, few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach. All nurse faculty must hold at least a master’s degree. NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy significantly longer teaching careers than average nurse faculty members who go into higher education mid-way through their careers.
The Scholars’ graduation comes as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is embarking on a campaign to transform the nursing profession to improve health and health care. Based on the recommendations from a groundbreaking Institute of Medicine nursing report released last year—The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, RWJF is spearheading the Future of Nursing: Campaign for Action to engage nurses and non-nurses in a nationwide effort to overhaul the nursing profession. The campaign is working to implement solutions to the challenges facing the nursing profession and to build upon nurse-based approaches to improving quality and transforming the way Americans receive health care.
NJNI is a partner in this effort, and serves as the coordinating office for the New Jersey Action Coalition, an advocacy organization led by a team of recognized and highly-respected leaders in health and health care. New Jersey’s Action Coalition includes four volunteer-led work groups, each tasked with developing and implementing plans to advance a goal identified in the report as a priority. The Action Coalition draws its strength from New Jersey nursing and non-nursing leaders working together to devise solutions.
For more information, visit www.NJNI.org.
# # # #
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measureable and timely change. For nearly 40 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.
The New Jersey Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization based in Trenton. Created in 1911, the State Chamber staff represents its members on a wide range of business and education issues at the State House and in Washington. The organization also links the state’s local and regional chambers on issues of importance through its grassroots legislative network.
