If You Missed It...You'll Have to Wait Until 2006

New Jersey Nurse, Nov/Dec 2004

NURSES IN TRENTON (NIT) was held at the State House on October 28th. It was a day of excitement for novice as well as expert nurse policy makers who came to Trenton to hear from some of their own in top positions, in New Jersey.

Despite a lack of legislators because of the changing legislative calendar and the fact there were no committee hearings that day, the participants were awed by the work their fellow nurses are doing to improve health care and strengthen the nursing profession in New Jersey.

The list of speakers included Pat Polansky, Assistant Commissioner for the Division of Aging and Community Service in the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services, Carolyn Lewis Spruill, Director for the Division of Health and Human Services for the City of Trenton, Geri Dickson, Executive Director for the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing, Kevin Ryan, Child Advocate from the NJ Office of the Child Advocate and Velvet Miller, President and CEO of My Parent's Concierge.

NURSES IN TRENTON is a program through the Institute for Nursing designed to prepare nurse to influence health care through the legislative and regulatory process. Every other year, the day provides participants with the opportunity to learn from health care policy experts and government officials. Networking opportunities with other nurses and members of the NJ Legislature enrich the experience for all whether the participants are first time visitors to the State House or experienced nurse-lobbyist.

This year, Irma Lupia, NJSNA's lobbyist and Carolyn Torre, NJSNA's Director of Practice updated the participants on NJSNA's legislative and regulatory agendas.

The next NIT will be October 12, 2006.