New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing

04/01/2026

Entering cherry blossom season in Newark 🌸

03/31/2026

Our board/advisory council members, (L-R) Illya DeVera-Bonilla, DNP, MSN, RN, Donna Murray MSN, RN, APN, WHNP-BC, and Donna M. Penn DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC with NJCCN's poster at the New Jersey League for Nursing Convention last week in Atlantic City.

Photo Credit: Peter C. Richter Photography

03/30/2026

The S2996/A4052 APN Access to Care bill was signed into law by Gov. Sherrill today. ✍️👏

Although not all specialities and areas of practice were included, it is one big step forward for access to care in NJ especially for primary care and mental health care. APNs, who inherently collaborate and work as a member of the healthcare team, have stepped up for NJ (before and since the pandemic), and patients deserve access to these highly skilled practitioners who have proven they can provide safe, affordable, quality care.

Thank you to our legislature for support of nurses, and the APN coalition who advocated with all their heart.

Society of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses
New Jersey State Nurses Association

Governor Mikie Sherrill today signed legislation to eliminate selective restrictions for advanced practice nurses (APNs) practicing in New Jersey. This legislation makes permanent the independent practice authority of certain APNs

03/30/2026

As we close out Women’s History Month, we hear from Hollie Gentry, DNP, APN, WHNP-BC, CNE, Track Coordinator for the Women's Health/Gender-Related Nurse Practitioner Program at Rutgers School of Nursing and a Board-Certified Women's Health Nurse Practitioner.

“Women's History Month is a chance to honor all of the amazing women in my life - from friends and family to the women I work with and the women who are or have been my patients or students. There is no better way to do this than to continue and expand my work in women's health advocacy and educating the next generation of nurses.
I feel so lucky when I think about the opportunities I have that my grandmothers didn't, and I am grateful that their roles as family caregivers have shaped who I am as a person and as a nurse. I uphold their legacy through hard work and commitment to my profession.”
- Dr. Gentry

03/28/2026

Check out NJ-NEW and NJCCN at the 38th Annual ENRS Scientific Sessions at the Encore Boston Harbor. Such a great opportunity to engage with colleagues and exchange ideas in nursing science.

03/27/2026

In honor of Women's History Month, let's acknowledge the actively licensed female nurses in New Jersey: approx. 17,299 APNs, 135,921 RNs, and 21,237 LPNs. While female nurse leaders, business-owners, and entrepreneurs have made inroads and strides in their respective areas, they continue to struggle with antiquated rules and societal norms. For example, in the U.S., nursing workforce research continues to show salary inequity between men and women in similar roles - yes, even in the nursing profession.

NJCCN continues to educate and advocate for modern legislation to support the nursing practice in our great state (e.g. Access to Care Bill S2996/A4052).

Governor Mikie Sherrill

03/25/2026

Presentations representing our nurse residency collaborative by Cooper University Health Care and Capital Health
at the Vizient, Inc Nursing Programs Conference and celebrations with Cooper University Health Care nurse residents who presented a poster that placed 👏👏

03/24/2026

Our acute care nurse residency collaborative (coordinators, leaders, nurse residents) at the
Conference in Phoenix sharing ways to support and retain our new nursing workforce with healthcare organizations across the country

03/23/2026

Bill S2996/A4052 approved on NJ Senate and Assembly floors today!

Thank you to Senator Joseph Vitale, Amanda Melillo, and our legislature for putting patients first.

This is a great step forward for primary care and mental health care access in NJ!

Governor Mikie Sherrill

Our recent NJ APN survey showed 56% are somewhat or extremely likely to out-migrate if NJ reverts back to a reduced practice state requiring joint protocols. This will worsen access to care in our state!

‼️S2996 and A4052 are being voted on by the full Senate and Assembly on Monday!

Governor Mikie Sherrill

03/22/2026

https://www.nj.com/opinion/2026/03/rutgers-deans-we-train-advanced-practice-nurses-for-nj-our-laws-send-them-elsewhere.html

New Jersey is training world-class advanced practice nurses — and then watching them leave. Rutgers nursing leaders explain how outdated state laws are driving talent across state lines and limiting patient access to care.

03/22/2026

Our legislators must know ➡️ We need to keep NJ’s highly-skilled APNs practicing right here in NJ ‼️

Over the last six years, during the pandemic, NJ APNs did what they do best - they cared for patients 👏

Based on our recent snapshot survey, 71% of NJ APNs work in ambulatory care or public health/community practice (of which 93% is primary or mental health care), 16% practice in rural NJ or HCP shortage areas, and 18% even have a private practice

Governor Mikie Sherrill

03/20/2026

Our recent NJ APN survey showed 56% are somewhat or extremely likely to out-migrate if NJ reverts back to a reduced practice state requiring joint protocols. This will worsen access to care in our state!

‼️S2996 and A4052 are being voted on by the full Senate and Assembly on Monday!

Governor Mikie Sherrill