Region 1 (Morris, Passaic, Sussex, Warren)
Jacqueline Galante, MSN, RN; R1 Nominations Committee
Region 1 Call for Nominations:
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Vice-President for Communication
- Vice-President for Education
- Warren County Coordinator
- Passaic County Coordinator
- Nominations Committee (2)
Please see our Facebook page https://facebook.com/NJSNARegion1 for a description of the duties of the open positions or you may contact Jacqueline Galante, Nominations Committee, at jax963@gmail.com for more information.
Region 2 (Bergen & Hudson)
Margaret Hopkins, BSN, RN, CCRN, C-ELBW, CPLC, HNB-BC, President
Region 2 has had some recent changes on our board. Sol Angelica Munoz resigned her position as Director of Congress on Policy. She is a member of the military reserves and was called up for active duty. We wish her a safe journey and thank her for her service both to NJSNA and to our country. Pavel Erushalimski also resigned as Director of Communications due to other commitments. We thank him for her service as well.
We are fortunate to have new energy coming on the board. Timothy Javier has consented to serve as our new Director of COPP. Gerri Kiefer-Necklen will be our new Director of Communications. We welcome their new strengths and ideas.
Our March meeting featured guest speaker Kanisha Parikh, who presented on Nutrition for Healing. We all learned a lot to help both our patients and ourselves. Our May guest speaker will be Gerri Kiefer-Necklen who will present on The Effects of Virtual Stimulation on Critical Thinking in Nursing Students. This can be of interest to both students and educators. As always, all regions and students are welcome at our virtual meetings.
In June, Region 2 will again be representing at the Glen Rock Pride Day celebration. It is a great opportunity to show nursing’s support for health in the community.
Region 3 (Essex, Union Counties)
Ndidiamaka Ezuma, DNP, APN, FNP-C, WHNP-BC; Vice President of Communications, Region 3
Region 3 Summer Updates
Happy summer! The 2026 Region 3 Board Members remain committed to advancing our profession across the region, and we appreciate your continued support.
Our first general meeting was held on February 24 and was well attended by many new members. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make the meeting a success.
Upcoming Meetings:
• May 12 – 6:30 to 8:00 PM
• September 23 – 6:00 to 8:00 PM
• December 2 – Holiday Celebration (details to follow)
These meetings are a great opportunity to stay informed about regional activities, connect with colleagues, and get involved in upcoming initiatives. Please support Region 3 with your attendance.
Member Highlights
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Cynthia E. Samuel on her outstanding professional contribution to the Ethics Inbox article, “Loyalty vs. Integrity When Making a Professional Endorsement,” featured in the American Nurse Journal. Her thoughtful insights shed light on an important ethical dilemma faced by healthcare professionals today. Read the full article here: https://tinyurl.com/yc22zen6.
We also congratulate all new nursing graduates and look forward to welcoming you as members of Region 3.
The Flower Power Fundraiser website is now live. Proceeds support the Region 3 Scholarship Fund and educational opportunities for students in our region. Visit http://region3njsna.fpfundraising.com/ to order flower bulbs, seeds, perennials, and eco-friendly gardening kits.
Please email njsnar3@gmail.com with any news or updates you would like to share—we would love to highlight your accomplishments.
We also value your feedback. Complete the Region 3 NJSNA Member Feedback Survey at: https://surl.li/mkschd
Your input helps improve events, communications, and the overall membership experience.
Stay connected with us for updates and announcements by following NJSNA Region 3 on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook for updates and announcements. We also have a WhatsApp group where members can receive updates and stay engaged—email us to request the link.
We currently have Secretary and Nominations Committee positions vacant. If you are interested in learning more about these leadership opportunities, please reach out.
Wishing everyone a wonderful summer!
Region 4 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, Bucks)
Donna M. Penn DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC, President
As summer approaches, Region 4 continues to stay active with opportunities for connection, advocacy, and professional engagement among our members. Our February meeting brought together nurses from across the region, and it was especially nice to welcome Dr. Sandy Foley and her nursing students, who joined the call and contributed to the discussion
Region 4 also welcomed several leadership updates this quarter. Dr. Donna Penn DNP, RN, CNE, NEA-BC stepped into the role of Region 4 President, bringing her continued dedication and leadership to the organization. We also welcome Dr. Hollie Gentry, DNP, APN, WHNP-BC, CNE, as President-Elect, who will support the board and help guide future initiatives for the region. In addition, Lisa Camacho, MSN/Ed, RN, CCRN, CNE, joined the leadership team as our new Director or Education, and Dorothy Grandjean Smith, BSN, RN, will serve as Director of Membership. We look forward to their contributions as they help strengthen engagement and professional development across Region 4.
Applications are also open for the Region 4 Dr. Barbara Wright Scholarship, which awards $1,000 to support the educational advancements of nurses in our community. The scholarship is open to registered nurses who have been NJSNA Region 4 members for at least one year, as well as nursing students residing in Region 4 (Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Bucks counties) who are enrolled in an accredited nursing program. The application deadline is September 1, 2026. For more information on the Dr. Barbara Wright Scholarship, visit http://njsna.org/scholarship/
Finally, members received an update regarding the Advanced Practice Nurse prescriptive authority transition. Governor Sherrill recently signed an executive order granting a 45-day extension, moving the implementation deadline to April 2. Region 4 will continue to share updates with members as additional information becomes available.
Region 4 monthly meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 7 PM via Zoom. To attend, please email Donna Penn at dpenn@hnmcson.org to receive the meeting link.
Warm Regards,
Emily Fernandes, RN, MSN
NJSNA Region 4 Director of
Communications
NJSNA Region 5 – Happy New Year!
(Burlington, Camden, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem)
Christine Savini MSN, RN, CMSRN, CNL, CPPS, NPD-BC,
VP Communications
It is important to understand the “why” behind state nurses’ associations. State nurses’ associations exist for one reason: to elevate the profession. They advocate for safe staffing, protect nursing practice, influence legislation, support continuing education, and create a unified voice for nurses across the state. But their strength depends on the engagement of the nurses they represent.
Please consider becoming involved in NJSNA! For New Jersey nurses, becoming more involved isn’t about joining a professional organization, it is about shaping the future of nursing in the region and beyond. When nurses across a region connect, collaborate, and advocate together, the impact is profound. Engagement strengthens our profession and builds a sense of shared purpose which we can all benefit from!
How do you get involved? Engagement does not require a leadership title or endless free time. It starts with small, meaningful steps. First step, become a member and stay informed. Membership is the foundation. Once you join, take advantage of newsletters, policy updates, and educational offerings. We even host social events in Region 5! Keep an eye out for our upcoming Fall Trivia night, which is always a fun time!
Second step to getting involved-attend one of our virtual meetings! The Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month, via Zoom, at 6:30pm. This is an open opportunity to meet the Region 5 board and hear about what is happening on local and national level in nursing! If you would like to join our email list and receive the Zoom meeting link, please reach out to us.
Contact us today! Please send all email correspondence to NJSNARegion5@gmail.com. We monitor this email and send all correspondence through this site. Follow us on Facebook – New Jersey State Nurses Association Region 5 – and Instagram – NJSNARegion5 – for updates!
Region 6 (Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, Ocean)
Kathleen Mullen, DNP, MA, RNC-MNN, CNE, VP Communications
The Annual Meeting of Region 6 will be on Tuesday, June 2 at 6pm in Ocean County, at the Lobster Shanty in Point Pleasant Beach. An informative professional development session on Palliative Care is planned, presented by Suzanne Penna, MSN, RN. A raffle to benefit the Beulah Miller Scholarship for Nursing Education is anticipated as well. Every year, Region 6 awards scholarships to a prelicensure entry level student (AAS, ADN or BSN), an RN to BSN student, an MSN student, and a doctoral student. The deadline for the scholarship application is October 15. Find the application in the Members Bulletin section of the Region 6 page on the NJSNA website at https://njsna.org/region-6/.
Upcoming events include a presentation in October by INPAC on the state legislators’ who are running for election in Region 6. Following a successful in-person presentation on AI in Nurse Education and Practice in Atlantic City in February, the Region is planning a virtual session in the fall. If you’d like to become a member of Region 6, or if you are a member but have not received email blasts about recent Region 6 meetings, contact Helen Heinmets, Membership Director at Hheinmets@brookdalecc.edu.
Call for Nominations: It’s never too early to think about taking on a leadership role in the Region. Please contact the Nominations Committee Chair, Suzanne Penna at pennas@mskcc.org to learn more about the many leadership positions within the region. At the end of 2026, the term of office will expire for the Region 6 positions of Secretary, Director to the Congress on Policy and Practice, and County Director. Supporting Region 6 as a county director or by joining the nominating committee is a great way to learn more about leadership in Region 6.
