Nursing Leaders Celebrate Full Practice Authority Victory, Launch Advocacy Coalition

Rutgers School of Nursing co-hosted a celebration marking the end of joint protocol requirements for many advanced practice nurses

Following the passage of landmark legislation granting full practice authority to many advanced practice nurses, advocates throughout New Jersey gathered to celebrate a milestone for the profession and build momentum for future policy efforts.

The reception celebrated a new state law that removes the joint protocol requirement for certain experienced advanced practice nurses (APNs), ending the need for them to maintain a formal practice agreement with a collaborating physician. Supporters of the law said the change will expand access to health care and help address provider shortages throughout New Jersey. Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed the legislation in March.

Daria Waszak (right), a clinical associate professor at Rutgers School of Nursing and the executive director of the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing, with Angela Starkweather, dean, Rutgers School of Nursing, is honored for her dedication in advocacy on expanding access to care in New Jersey.

Advanced practice nurses are registered nurses with graduate-level education, advanced clinical training and the highest level of national certification available in their specialty areas. In New Jersey, they are certified by the Board of Nursing as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists or certified registered nurse anesthetists. They can diagnose illnesses, order and interpret diagnostic tests and prescribe medications.

"The new law recognizes the education, experience and expertise of eligible APNs and removes a longstanding barrier to care across the state," said Daria Waszak, a clinical associate professor at Rutgers School of Nursing and the executive director of the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing, which is based within the school. "With more than half of New Jersey counties lacking an adequate supply of primary care and behavioral health providers, APNs play a critical role in expanding access to timely, high-quality care."

She was among those honored at the June 8 reception, where leaders from health care, education and government, along with nursing professional associations and advocacy organizations gathered at the Rutgers University Inn and Conference Center in New Brunswick, N.J. for the celebration.

In recorded remarks, state Sen. Joseph Vitale, the primary sponsor of the legislation, thanked the many individuals and organizations that worked for years to advance the bill.

"I'm grateful I was able to sponsor the bill to give APNs full practice authority," Vitale said. "It took a long time, but we had some great partners. Everyone in this room this evening were partners in this effort. So, I'm grateful for your help and your support."

In addition to Waszak, the reception also honored nurse leaders whose advocacy helped advance the legislation:

• Edna Cadmus, professor at Rutgers School of Nursing and former executive director of the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing
• Margaret Daingerfield, president of the New Jersey State Nurses Association
• Marcel Kaganovskaya, president of the Society of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses
• Nancy Munoz, former New Jersey assemblywoman and clinical nurse specialist
• Angela Starkweather, dean and professor at Rutgers School of Nursing

Angela Starkweather, Marcel Kaganovskaya, Margaret Daingerfield, Louise Gabriele, Edna Cadmus, Daria Waszak, Jacey Lance, Suzanne Drake, Nancy Munoz, Carolyn Torre and Laura G. Leahy were honored at the reception.

"This was a massive victory," Starkweather said. "It recognizes what we have always known: that APNs are fully capable, highly trained and absolutely essential to bridging the gaps in our health care system."

The reception also featured the premiere of a new video about the role of advanced practice nursing in New Jersey, produced by the Society of Psychiatric Advanced Practice Nurses.

Speakers at the reception said the legislation is an important step, but there is much more to be done.

"The signing of that bill was not the end of the race," Starkweather said. "It was the starting shot for a new era of advocacy. Now we need a unified voice so nursing organizations can work together on education, implementation and future policy priorities.

Waszak said the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing will convene a coalition of state nursing organizations, policymaking bodies and regulatory organizations to continue propelling policies that support APNs, strengthen the nursing workforce and expand access to care.

"This victory shows what is possible when nurses work together," Waszak said. "Now we need to keep moving forward with one voice - educating policymakers, using data to guide decisions and further policies that allow advanced practice nurses to meet the needs of patients and communities across New Jersey."