The IFN Board met in May to approve the FY 2026 Budget and the CEO annual evaluation. We will meet again in Septem-ber. The Board is working to advance the goals of and support the work of the Institute.

ANA Hill Day

On June 26, I joined 500 nurses from across the country on Capitol Hill to demonstrate the collective power and voice of our profession. The day began early with a policy briefing and a breakfast to prepare for the meetings ahead. We started on the Senate side of the Hill with a visit to Senator Booker’s office, followed by a meeting with a staff member from Senator Kim’s office.
It was truly inspiring to stand alongside more than thirty nurses from New Jersey as we advocated for critical issues affect-ing our profession and our patients, including:

• Preserving funding for Medicaid
• Reauthorizing Title VIII Nursing Workforce Programs
• Protecting nurses from workplace violence
• Improving patients’ access to care

The stories shared by nurses brought depth and gravity to the conversations with Senate staffers. Each one offered a unique perspective that illuminated different facets of the issues we were there to discuss.

Our advocacy continued into the afternoon with visits to the House side of the Hill. I had the privilege of meeting with staff members from Representatives Norcross and Watson Coleman’s offices. While the groups were smaller, the conversations were no less impactful. In fact, we were encouraged to maintain ongoing communication with their offices.

A particularly meaningful moment for me was hearing how much the staff appreciated our presence. They emphasized the importance of our voices and urged us not only to stay in touch but to continue these conversations in our home districts.

So I encourage you—reach out to your Representative and Senator. Your voice matters, and they want to hear from you.

ANA Membership Assembly

On June 27 and 28, I had the honor of representing NJSNA at the American Nurses Association Membership Assembly. Our delegation included NJSNA President Peggy Daingerfield, our elected representatives Norma Rogers, Sheila Caldwell, and Jo-Anne Penn, and me. Over the course of this two-day meeting, we conducted the official business of the ANA, including electing new officers and voting on proposed Bylaws changes. The work of the Assembly will continue during a follow-up meeting scheduled for September.

On Friday evening, we joined in a fundraising event to support the ANA Political Action Committee (PAC). With a coun-try-western theme and plenty of karaoke, the night offered a fun and lively break from the intensity of the Assembly. The NJSNA team brought energy and enthusiasm to the stage with performances of Dancing Queen, Friends in Low Places, and Take Me Home, Country Roads. Nina Vaid-Raoji and I closed out our set with a spirited duet of You’re the One That I Want. It was a lighthearted and memorable way to unwind together while supporting a great cause.

Thank you, Donors!

We are deeply grateful to our donors for their dedication to the Institute for Nursing. Their generosity enables us to fulfill our mission and advance our goals. Between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025 we received $7,732.00 in donations—an incredible testament to the support and commitment of our community.

The new fiscal year is off to a strong start with $350 in donations already received in just the first few weeks. We are grateful for your continued support of the Institute for Nursing.

Honor a Nurse

Honor and celebrate a nurse today with a donation to the Institute for Nursing! Donations are always welcome online and can be made in honor of a loved one, to celebrate a special occasion, or with a personal intention. You may choose to be recog-nized for your gift or remain anonymous, according to your preference. Every contribution, whether one-time, monthly, quarterly, or annual, plays a crucial role in advancing our mission. Thank you for thinking of us and supporting the nursing profession.
Make a difference—donate today!

One-time Donation

https://square.link/u/JzSoVF8B

Monthly Donation

https://square.link/u/4KLOsxzh

Quarterly Donation

https://square.link/u/BAJpkZSb

Annual Donation

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLJDYZF6ZXYER/checkout/7VO3OKJDKN3RBX63IJ7MVNOB

50/50 Caring and Sharing Raffle

This year, we sold 903 tickets in the Caring and Sharing Raffle. We were thrilled to pull Rachel Wurmser’s winning ticket on May 20, 2025. Rachel and the Institute shared the $9030 generated by ticket sales. Thank you to all who purchased and sold tickets. Every ticket sold advances the mission of the Institute for Nursing.

IFN Label Old York Cellars Winery and Vineyard

Indulge in delicious wine from the Old York Cellars Winery collection, now featuring updated IFN designer wine labels. With every bottle of Old York Cellars Wine adorned with our label, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to IFN! For more details and to make your purchase, visit Old York Cellars Winery and Vineyards. Your support is deeply appreciated!
https://shop.oldyorkcellars.com/wines/fundraising/institute-for-nursing

ShopRaise

We are excited to share a new fundraising opportunity to support the Institute for Nursing! ShopRaise is a free and easy way to turn your everyday shopping into support for our organization.

With 2,000+ Retailers and over 250 Gift Cards, you can shop for groceries, clothes, travel, and more—at no extra cost—while giving back.

Here are the 3 Simple Steps to Help:

• Get the ShopRaise app
• Share it with friends & family
• Shop to support our cause. Start shopping today: https://shopraise.com/support/institutefornursing

A sincere and heartfelt thank you to the IFN Board of Trustees, the IFN Fundraising Committee, and its dedicated Chair, Jackie Owens. I also wish to ex-press my deep gratitude to all the NJSNA/IFN staff, whose unwavering dedication plays a vital role in the ongoing success of this organization.

Kristin Meloche Sagedy PhD, RN, CEN
President -Elect, NJSNA
Institute for Nursing, Chair
kristin@nsna.org
Follow us at
https://www.institutefornursing.org