The New Jersey Nursing Initiative: building sustainable collaboration

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Workforce Development
• Public Health Initiatives

Background:

• The nursing workforce faces shortages due to an aging population and evolving healthcare demands.
• The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation launched the New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI) in 2009 to address these challenges.
• The NJNI received significant funding and was reauthorized to expand its scope and impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the New Jersey Nursing Initiative (NJNI).
• To highlight the partnerships developed through the NJNI.
• To underscore the initiative's role in strengthening nursing education and workforce capacity.

Main Methods:

• The initiative involved a faculty preparation program.
• Strategic tracks focused on building and increasing faculty capacity.
• Efforts included policy initiatives, sustainable funding, and collaborative network development.

Main Results:

• The NJNI fostered diverse partnerships across local, regional, and statewide levels.
• It aimed to make nursing faculty a preferred career choice.
• The initiative focused on building sustainable support for nursing education.

Conclusions:

• The New Jersey Nursing Initiative successfully established collaborative networks to support nursing education.
• The program addressed the critical need for a robust and skilled nursing workforce.
• Partnerships were a key outcome, strengthening the initiative's long-term impact.