Jan 25, 2010 | Press Releases
Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program Will Provide Much Needed Relief to Health Care’s Frontline Workers, Leaders Say
Trenton, NJ – In the face of a serious shortage, New Jersey became the 17th state to provide loan forgiveness for nursing faculty when Acting Governor Stephen M. Sweeney signed the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program Act into law on January 16. The new law calls for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) to work with the Higher Education Student Assistance Authority to create incentives for persons to enter graduate nursing education programs by providing loan redemption in exchange for full-time employment in the state as a nurse faculty member.
Declaring a nursing workforce shortage of “crisis proportions” caused, in part, by a shortage of faculty members at the state’s schools of nursing, the New Jersey state senate unanimously passed the bill on January 11. The state assembly had passed it earlier, on January 7.
“In New Jersey, as elsewhere, we are facing a debilitating shortage of nurse faculty, and as a result many of our schools of nursing are being forced to turn away qualified students who want to become nurses,” said Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C., program director for NJNI and dean of the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey. “With so many nurses at or near retirement, the population aging and chronic diseases affecting more people, our state’s health care system will be strained to the breaking point. We commend lawmakers for passing the Nursing Faculty Loan Redemption Program to address this problem now, before it worsens. This law will have lasting benefits for our state’s health care system and its residents.”
The program will address the nurse faculty shortage by providing incentives for individuals to pursue masters and doctoral degrees in nursing. The minimum educational requirement for nurse faculty in New Jersey is a master’s degree in nursing (MSN), as set by the New Jersey Board of Nursing regulations. Upon graduation, the program will provide loan redemption in exchange for full-time faculty employment at a state school of nursing for five years.
Since launching in May 2009, NJNI, a multi-million dollar, five-year initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation, has named 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. The Scholars receive full tuition and fees, a $50,000 per year stipend and a laptop computer, as well as mentoring and other support. They attend New Jersey masters and doctoral level nursing programs.
The New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing at Rutgers reports that there are 567 full-time nurse faculty working in the state. Their average age is 55, and 74 of them are expected to retire within five years. More than half the state’s nursing schools already limit student enrollment due, in part, to limited faculty lines. For doctorally prepared faculty in particular, it can be challenging for schools to find qualified faculty applicants.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough faculty to educate the next generation of nurses. 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 improving the health and health care of all Americans, we work with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years we’ve brought experience, commitment and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those we serve. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, we expect to make a difference in your lifetime.
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.
Jan 13, 2010 | Press Releases
Contact: Gretchen Wright and Johanna Diaz – (202) 371-1999
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, New Jersey Nursing Initiative
Name 29 New Jersey Nursing Scholars
Trenton, NJ – What if New Jersey didn’t have enough nurses to meet the state’s health care needs? What if emergency rooms were understaffed, health clinics closed and nursing schools severely reduced their programs? The scenario is possible if nothing is done about the state’s looming nurse faculty shortage.
But the New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working to ensure that does not happen. This fall, NJNI has named 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. One of them is from Hunterdon county: Elizabeth Arnold, R.N., B.S.N., from Glen Gardner, earning her M.S.N. in Nursing from Kean University.
NJNI is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation (NJCCF). RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars receive generous benefits and support to help them complete their graduate or doctoral studies. In exchange, each Scholar makes a commitment to teach for at least three years, after graduation, as a full-time faculty member at a New Jersey based pre-licensure nursing program. That commitment means the Scholars will significantly increase the capacity of New Jersey nursing programs to educate the next generation of the state’s nursing workforce.
“We are facing a nurse faculty shortage of crisis proportions in this state,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “Unless we solve it, and put a sufficient number of nurse faculty in place, nursing schools will not be able to educate the nurses we need to meet our state’s future health care needs. Many current nurse faculty members are approaching retirement, and there are not enough replacements in the pipeline to fill their positions. NJNI is proud to be a part of the solution. The 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars are among our state’s best and brightest. They will educate the next generation of nurses for years to come.” Bakewell-Sachs is dean of the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey.
“Being a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation New Jersey Nursing Scholar means that I have the opportunity to advance my education under an umbrella of support that will ensure my success as a future nurse educator,” said Arnold.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the needs of state residents. The Faculty Preparation Program has awarded $13.5M in grants to New Jersey based nursing programs and education collaboratives. Each Scholar 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.
Few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach; only nine percent have a master’s degree, and just one percent of registered nurses have a doctorate. That is due to significant challenges to becoming nurse faculty, including the prerequisite that all nurse faculty obtain at least a master’s degree.
Many nurses practice first and get advanced degrees later. The lack of available scholarships has caused many nurse faculty members to pursue their graduate studies part-time. The median time span for nurses to proceed from masters to doctorate is now 15.9 years. As a result, the mean age of nurse faculty prepared at the doctoral level is 54. Because these nurses continue their education later in life, nurse faculty may not have long full-time teaching careers.
NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy a significantly longer teaching career than the average nurse faculty who joins mid career.
Scholars elsewhere in New Jersey are:
- Rashida L. Atkins, M.S.N., A.P.N., F.N.P.-B.C., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Christine Bray, R.N., B.S.N., Richard Stockton College, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Erin Cleary, R.N., B.S.N., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Andrew Fruhschien, R.N., B.S.N., N.J.E.M.T.B., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Hye Jin Gehring, R.N., B.S.N., The College of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Primerose Germain, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Caitlin Lehrfeld, R.N., B.S.N., Richard Stockton College, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Catherine Jirak Monetti, R.N., M.A., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Shanda Johnson, M.S., F.N.P., A.P.C.-N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Tracy Kalemba, M.S.N., R.N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Connie Kartoz, R.N., M.S., F.N.P.-B.C., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Sheila Linz, R.N., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., A.P.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Maria LoGrippo, M.S.N., R.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Maryann Magloire-Wilson, R.N., B.A., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Kristine Martinho, R.N., B.S.N., The College of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Aleesa Mobley, R.N., M.S., A.P.N.C., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Tara Lynne Parker, R.N., B.S.N., A.N.P., William Paterson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Latoya Rawlins, R.N., B.S.N., Monmouth University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Mary (Rusti) Restaino, R.N., B.S.N, M.B.A., William Paterson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Patricia Saveriano, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Robert Scoloveno, M.S., R.N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Michelle Skiber, R.N., B.S.N., Monmouth University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Jenée Skinner-Hamler, R.N., B.S.N., T.N.C.C., A.T.C.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Kristi Stinson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., A.P.N.-B.C., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Andrea Taylor, R.N., B.S.N., Kean University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Lia Valentin, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Munira Wells, M.S.N., R.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Dorothy Withers, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
# # # #
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 improving the health and health care of all Americans, we work with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years we’ve brought experience, commitment and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those we serve. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, we expect to make a difference in your lifetime.
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.
Jan 13, 2010 | Press Releases
Contact: Gretchen Wright and Johanna Diaz – (202) 371-1999
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, New Jersey Nursing Initiative
Name 29 New Jersey Nursing Scholars
Trenton, NJ – What if New Jersey didn’t have enough nurses to meet the state’s health care needs? What if emergency rooms were understaffed, health clinics closed and nursing schools severely reduced their programs? The scenario is possible if nothing is done about the state’s looming nurse faculty shortage.
But the New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working to ensure that does not happen. This fall, NJNI has named 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. Three of them are from Warren county: Maryann Magloire-Wilson, R.N., B.A., from Allamuchy, earning her M.S.N. in Nursing from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; Tara Lynne Parker, R.N., B.S.N., A.N.P., from Allamuchy, earning her M.S.N. in Nursing from William Paterson University; and Kristi Stinson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., A.P.N.-B.C., from Stewartsville, earning her Ph.D. in Nursing from Seton Hall University.
NJNI is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation (NJCCF). RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars receive generous benefits and support to help them complete their graduate or doctoral studies. In exchange, each Scholar makes a commitment to teach for at least three years, after graduation, as a full-time faculty member at a New Jersey based pre-licensure nursing program. That commitment means the Scholars will significantly increase the capacity of New Jersey nursing programs to educate the next generation of the state’s nursing workforce.
“We are facing a nurse faculty shortage of crisis proportions in this state,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “Unless we solve it, and put a sufficient number of nurse faculty in place, nursing schools will not be able to educate the nurses we need to meet our state’s future health care needs. Many current nurse faculty members are approaching retirement, and there are not enough replacements in the pipeline to fill their positions. NJNI is proud to be a part of the solution. The 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars are among our state’s best and brightest. They will educate the next generation of nurses for years to come.” Bakewell-Sachs is dean of the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey.
“I have always wanted to be a nurse. I come from a family of many nurses. I take great pride in the nursing profession. I am honored to represent nursing and help shape the future of nursing,” said Stinson.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the needs of state residents. The Faculty Preparation Program has awarded $13.5M in grants to New Jersey based nursing programs and education collaboratives. Each Scholar 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.
Few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach; only nine percent have a master’s degree, and just one percent of registered nurses have a doctorate. That is due to significant challenges to becoming nurse faculty, including the prerequisite that all nurse faculty obtain at least a master’s degree.
Many nurses practice first and get advanced degrees later. The lack of available scholarships has caused many nurse faculty members to pursue their graduate studies part-time. The median time span for nurses to proceed from masters to doctorate is now 15.9 years. As a result, the mean age of nurse faculty prepared at the doctoral level is 54. Because these nurses continue their education later in life, nurse faculty may not have long full-time teaching careers.
NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy a significantly longer teaching career than the average nurse faculty who joins mid career.
Scholars elsewhere in New Jersey are:
- Elizabeth Arnold, R.N., B.S.N., Kean University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Rashida L. Atkins, M.S.N., A.P.N., F.N.P.-B.C., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Christine Bray, R.N., B.S.N., Richard Stockton College, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Erin Cleary, R.N., B.S.N., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Andrew Fruhschien, R.N., B.S.N., N.J.E.M.T.B., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Hye Jin Gehring, R.N., B.S.N., The College of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Primerose Germain, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Caitlin Lehrfeld, R.N., B.S.N., Richard Stockton College, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Catherine Jirak Monetti, R.N., M.A., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Shanda Johnson, M.S., F.N.P., A.P.C.-N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Tracy Kalemba, M.S.N., R.N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Connie Kartoz, R.N., M.S., F.N.P.-B.C., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Sheila Linz, R.N., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., A.P.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Maria LoGrippo, M.S.N., R.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Kristine Martinho, R.N., B.S.N., The College of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Aleesa Mobley, R.N., M.S., A.P.N.C., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Latoya Rawlins, R.N., B.S.N., Monmouth University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Mary (Rusti) Restaino, R.N., B.S.N, M.B.A., William Paterson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Patricia Saveriano, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Robert Scoloveno, M.S., R.N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Michelle Skiber, R.N., B.S.N., Monmouth University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Jenée Skinner-Hamler, R.N., B.S.N., T.N.C.C., A.T.C.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Andrea Taylor, R.N., B.S.N., Kean University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Lia Valentin, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Munira Wells, M.S.N., R.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Dorothy Withers, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
# # # #
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 improving the health and health care of all Americans, we work with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years we’ve brought experience, commitment and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those we serve. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, we expect to make a difference in your lifetime.
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.
Jan 13, 2010 | Press Releases
Contact: Gretchen Wright and Johanna Diaz – (202) 371-1999
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, New Jersey Nursing Initiative
Name 29 New Jersey Nursing Scholars
Trenton, NJ – What if New Jersey didn’t have enough nurses to meet the state’s health care needs? What if emergency rooms were understaffed, health clinics closed and nursing schools severely reduced their programs? The scenario is possible if nothing is done about the state’s looming nurse faculty shortage.
But the New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working to ensure that does not happen. This fall, NJNI has named 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. Five of them are from Union county: Primerose Germain, R.N., B.S.N.,, from Vauxhall, earning her M.S.N. in Nursing from University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; Shanda Johnson, M.S., F.N.P., A.P.C.-N., from Scotch Plains, earning her Ph.D. in Nursing from Rutgers University; Maria LoGrippo, M.S.N., R.N., from Westfield, earning her Ph.D. in Nursing from Seton Hall University; Andrea Taylor, R.N., B.S.N., from Rahway, earning her M.S.N. in Nursing from Kean University; and Munira Wells, M.S.N., R.N., from Scotch Plains, earning her Ph.D. in Nursing from Seton Hall University.
NJNI is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation (NJCCF). RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars receive generous benefits and support to help them complete their graduate or doctoral studies. In exchange, each Scholar makes a commitment to teach for at least three years, after graduation, as a full-time faculty member at a New Jersey based pre-licensure nursing program. That commitment means the Scholars will significantly increase the capacity of New Jersey nursing programs to educate the next generation of the state’s nursing workforce.
“We are facing a nurse faculty shortage of crisis proportions in this state,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “Unless we solve it, and put a sufficient number of nurse faculty in place, nursing schools will not be able to educate the nurses we need to meet our state’s future health care needs. Many current nurse faculty members are approaching retirement, and there are not enough replacements in the pipeline to fill their positions. NJNI is proud to be a part of the solution. The 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars are among our state’s best and brightest. They will educate the next generation of nurses for years to come.” Bakewell-Sachs is dean of the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey.
“If the next generation of nurses is taught well, and the need for compassionate and efficient care is stressed, we will have a much better medical system. I would like to be a part of improving our medical care system,” said Germain.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the needs of state residents. The Faculty Preparation Program has awarded $13.5M in grants to New Jersey based nursing programs and education collaboratives. Each Scholar 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.
Few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach; only nine percent have a master’s degree, and just one percent of registered nurses have a doctorate. That is due to significant challenges to becoming nurse faculty, including the prerequisite that all nurse faculty obtain at least a master’s degree.
Many nurses practice first and get advanced degrees later. The lack of available scholarships has caused many nurse faculty members to pursue their graduate studies part-time. The median time span for nurses to proceed from masters to doctorate is now 15.9 years. As a result, the mean age of nurse faculty prepared at the doctoral level is 54. Because these nurses continue their education later in life, nurse faculty may not have long full-time teaching careers.
NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy a significantly longer teaching career than the average nurse faculty who joins mid career.
Scholars elsewhere in New Jersey are:
- Elizabeth Arnold, R.N., B.S.N., Kean University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Rashida L. Atkins, M.S.N., A.P.N., F.N.P.-B.C., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Christine Bray, R.N., B.S.N., Richard Stockton College, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Erin Cleary, R.N., B.S.N., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Andrew Fruhschien, R.N., B.S.N., N.J.E.M.T.B., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Hye Jin Gehring, R.N., B.S.N., The College of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Caitlin Lehrfeld, R.N., B.S.N., Richard Stockton College, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Catherine Jirak Monetti, R.N., M.A., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Tracy Kalemba, M.S.N., R.N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Connie Kartoz, R.N., M.S., F.N.P.-B.C., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Sheila Linz, R.N., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., A.P.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Maryann Magloire-Wilson, R.N., B.A., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Kristine Martinho, R.N., B.S.N., The College of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Aleesa Mobley, R.N., M.S., A.P.N.C., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Tara Lynne Parker, R.N., B.S.N., A.N.P., William Paterson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Latoya Rawlins, R.N., B.S.N., Monmouth University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Mary (Rusti) Restaino, R.N., B.S.N, M.B.A., William Paterson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Patricia Saveriano, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Robert Scoloveno, M.S., R.N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Michelle Skiber, R.N., B.S.N., Monmouth University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Jenée Skinner-Hamler, R.N., B.S.N., T.N.C.C., A.T.C.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Kristi Stinson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., A.P.N.-B.C., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Lia Valentin, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Dorothy Withers, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
# # # #
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 improving the health and health care of all Americans, we work with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years we’ve brought experience, commitment and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those we serve. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, we expect to make a difference in your lifetime.
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.
Jan 13, 2010 | Press Releases
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, New Jersey Nursing Initiative
Name 29 New Jersey Nursing Scholars
Trenton, NJ – What if New Jersey didn’t have enough nurses to meet the state’s health care needs? What if emergency rooms were understaffed, health clinics closed and nursing schools severely reduced their programs? The scenario is possible if nothing is done about the state’s looming nurse faculty shortage.
But the New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working to ensure that does not happen. This fall, NJNI has named 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. One of them is from Somerset county: Robert Scoloveno, M.S., R.N., from Branchburg, earning his Ph.D. in Nursing from Rutgers University.
NJNI is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation (NJCCF). RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars receive generous benefits and support to help them complete their graduate or doctoral studies. In exchange, each Scholar makes a commitment to teach for at least three years, after graduation, as a full-time faculty member at a New Jersey based pre-licensure nursing program. That commitment means the Scholars will significantly increase the capacity of New Jersey nursing programs to educate the next generation of the state’s nursing workforce.
“We are facing a nurse faculty shortage of crisis proportions in this state,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “Unless we solve it, and put a sufficient number of nurse faculty in place, nursing schools will not be able to educate the nurses we need to meet our state’s future health care needs. Many current nurse faculty members are approaching retirement, and there are not enough replacements in the pipeline to fill their positions. NJNI is proud to be a part of the solution. The 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars are among our state’s best and brightest. They will educate the next generation of nurses for years to come.” Bakewell-Sachs is dean of the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey.
“I am honored to represent the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation as a New Jersey Nursing Scholar. This opportunity to be a scholar will afford me the opportunity to become a leader as a Nurse Faculty. I hope to study the concept of resilience in adults diagnosed with chronic illness,” said Scoloveno.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the needs of state residents. The Faculty Preparation Program has awarded $13.5M in grants to New Jersey based nursing programs and education collaboratives. Each Scholar 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.
Few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach; only nine percent have a master’s degree, and just one percent of registered nurses have a doctorate. That is due to significant challenges to becoming nurse faculty, including the prerequisite that all nurse faculty obtain at least a master’s degree.
Many nurses practice first and get advanced degrees later. The lack of available scholarships has caused many nurse faculty members to pursue their graduate studies part-time. The median time span for nurses to proceed from masters to doctorate is now 15.9 years. As a result, the mean age of nurse faculty prepared at the doctoral level is 54. Because these nurses continue their education later in life, nurse faculty may not have long full-time teaching careers.
NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy a significantly longer teaching career than the average nurse faculty who joins mid career.
Scholars elsewhere in New Jersey are:
- Elizabeth Arnold, R.N., B.S.N., Kean University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Rashida L. Atkins, M.S.N., A.P.N., F.N.P.-B.C., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Christine Bray, R.N., B.S.N., Richard Stockton College, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Erin Cleary, R.N., B.S.N., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Andrew Fruhschien, R.N., B.S.N., N.J.E.M.T.B., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Hye Jin Gehring, R.N., B.S.N., The College of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Primerose Germain, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Caitlin Lehrfeld, R.N., B.S.N., Richard Stockton College, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Catherine Jirak Monetti, R.N., M.A., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Shanda Johnson, M.S., F.N.P., A.P.C.-N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Tracy Kalemba, M.S.N., R.N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Connie Kartoz, R.N., M.S., F.N.P.-B.C., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Sheila Linz, R.N., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., A.P.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Maria LoGrippo, M.S.N., R.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Maryann Magloire-Wilson, R.N., B.A., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Kristine Martinho, R.N., B.S.N., The College of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Aleesa Mobley, R.N., M.S., A.P.N.C., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Tara Lynne Parker, R.N., B.S.N., A.N.P., William Paterson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Latoya Rawlins, R.N., B.S.N., Monmouth University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Mary (Rusti) Restaino, R.N., B.S.N, M.B.A., William Paterson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Patricia Saveriano, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Michelle Skiber, R.N., B.S.N., Monmouth University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Jenée Skinner-Hamler, R.N., B.S.N., T.N.C.C., A.T.C.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Kristi Stinson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., A.P.N.-B.C., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Andrea Taylor, R.N., B.S.N., Kean University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Lia Valentin, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Munira Wells, M.S.N., R.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Dorothy Withers, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
# # # #
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 improving the health and health care of all Americans, we work with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years we’ve brought experience, commitment and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those we serve. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, we expect to make a difference in your lifetime.
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.
Jan 13, 2010 | Press Releases
Contact: Gretchen Wright and Johanna Diaz – (202) 371-1999
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, New Jersey Nursing Initiative
Name 29 New Jersey Nursing Scholars
Trenton, NJ – What if New Jersey didn’t have enough nurses to meet the state’s health care needs? What if emergency rooms were understaffed, health clinics closed and nursing schools severely reduced their programs? The scenario is possible if nothing is done about the state’s looming nurse faculty shortage.
But the New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) is working to ensure that does not happen. This fall, NJNI has named 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars. One of them is from Morris county: Catherine Jirak Monetti, R.N., M.A., from Mountain Lakes, earning her Ph.D. in Nursing from Rutgers University.
NJNI is a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) and the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce Foundation (NJCCF). RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars receive generous benefits and support to help them complete their graduate or doctoral studies. In exchange, each Scholar makes a commitment to teach for at least three years, after graduation, as a full-time faculty member at a New Jersey based pre-licensure nursing program. That commitment means the Scholars will significantly increase the capacity of New Jersey nursing programs to educate the next generation of the state’s nursing workforce.
“We are facing a nurse faculty shortage of crisis proportions in this state,” said NJNI Program Director Susan Bakewell-Sachs, Ph.D., R.N., P.N.P.-B.C. “Unless we solve it, and put a sufficient number of nurse faculty in place, nursing schools will not be able to educate the nurses we need to meet our state’s future health care needs. Many current nurse faculty members are approaching retirement, and there are not enough replacements in the pipeline to fill their positions. NJNI is proud to be a part of the solution. The 29 RWJF New Jersey Nursing Scholars are among our state’s best and brightest. They will educate the next generation of nurses for years to come.” Bakewell-Sachs is dean of the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey.
“Receipt of this highly prestigious award has allowed me the time, freedom and financial security to focus exclusively on my doctoral studies… My intended area of research is the value of Nursing Presence as it relates to holistic healing,” said Jirak Monetti.
The goal of NJNI is to increase the number of nurse faculty in the state, so there will be enough nurses to meet the needs of state residents. The Faculty Preparation Program has awarded $13.5M in grants to New Jersey based nursing programs and education collaboratives. Each Scholar 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.
Few practicing nurses have the qualifications to teach; only nine percent have a master’s degree, and just one percent of registered nurses have a doctorate. That is due to significant challenges to becoming nurse faculty, including the prerequisite that all nurse faculty obtain at least a master’s degree.
Many nurses practice first and get advanced degrees later. The lack of available scholarships has caused many nurse faculty members to pursue their graduate studies part-time. The median time span for nurses to proceed from masters to doctorate is now 15.9 years. As a result, the mean age of nurse faculty prepared at the doctoral level is 54. Because these nurses continue their education later in life, nurse faculty may not have long full-time teaching careers.
NJNI is attracting younger nurses to faculty roles; they are likely to enjoy a significantly longer teaching career than the average nurse faculty who joins mid career.
Scholars elsewhere in New Jersey are:
- Elizabeth Arnold, R.N., B.S.N., Kean University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Rashida L. Atkins, M.S.N., A.P.N., F.N.P.-B.C., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Christine Bray, R.N., B.S.N., Richard Stockton College, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Erin Cleary, R.N., B.S.N., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Andrew Fruhschien, R.N., B.S.N., N.J.E.M.T.B., Fairleigh Dickinson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Hye Jin Gehring, R.N., B.S.N., The College of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Primerose Germain, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Caitlin Lehrfeld, R.N., B.S.N., Richard Stockton College, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Shanda Johnson, M.S., F.N.P., A.P.C.-N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Tracy Kalemba, M.S.N., R.N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Connie Kartoz, R.N., M.S., F.N.P.-B.C., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Sheila Linz, R.N., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., A.P.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Maria LoGrippo, M.S.N., R.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Maryann Magloire-Wilson, R.N., B.A., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Kristine Martinho, R.N., B.S.N., The College of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Aleesa Mobley, R.N., M.S., A.P.N.C., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Tara Lynne Parker, R.N., B.S.N., A.N.P., William Paterson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Latoya Rawlins, R.N., B.S.N., Monmouth University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Mary (Rusti) Restaino, R.N., B.S.N, M.B.A., William Paterson University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Patricia Saveriano, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Robert Scoloveno, M.S., R.N., Rutgers, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Michelle Skiber, R.N., B.S.N., Monmouth University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Jenée Skinner-Hamler, R.N., B.S.N., T.N.C.C., A.T.C.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Kristi Stinson, R.N., B.S.N., M.S.N., A.P.N.-B.C., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Andrea Taylor, R.N., B.S.N., Kean University, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Lia Valentin, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
- Munira Wells, M.S.N., R.N., Seton Hall University, Ph.D. in Nursing Program
- Dorothy Withers, R.N., B.S.N., University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, M.S.N. in Nursing Program
# # # #
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 improving the health and health care of all Americans, we work with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years we’ve brought experience, commitment and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those we serve. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, we expect to make a difference in your lifetime.
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.
