Advocacy
Legislative Awareness and Advocacy Committee
Championing Nursing Advocacy & Legislative Action in New Jersey
Legislation shapes every aspect of healthcare and nursing practice. As the voice of nurses in New Jersey, NJSNA’s Legislative Awareness and Advocacy Committee ensures that nurses are informed, engaged, and actively participating in policy decisions that impact their profession and the communities they serve.
Purpose
The Legislative Awareness and Advocacy Committee is dedicated to educating, empowering, and mobilizing nurses to take action on legislative issues that impact their profession and patient care. The committee monitors, analyzes, and responds to proposed laws and regulations, ensuring that nurses have a seat at the table when critical policy decisions are made. Through education and advocacy, this committee helps NJSNA members understand their role in influencing healthcare policies, promotes direct engagement with legislators, and champions policies that advance nursing practice, support patient safety, and improve healthcare systems in New Jersey.
CHAIR of the Legislative Awareness and Advocacy Committee
Leading the Charge for Nursing Policy & Legislative Change
The Legislative Awareness and Advocacy Committee Chair is responsible for driving NJSNA’s legislative initiatives, engaging members in advocacy efforts, and strengthening nursing’s influence in healthcare policymaking. This role involves close collaboration with policymakers, healthcare leaders, and the NJSNA Board to ensure that legislative priorities align with the needs of New Jersey’s nurses and patients. By fostering education, outreach, and direct political engagement, the Chair helps position nurses as key stakeholders in shaping the future of healthcare policy.
Sandy Foley
2025-2027
Key Responsibilities & 2025 Goals
Awareness: Stay informed on legislative action at local, state, and federal levels.
Political Activism: Increase engagement in the political process through direct advocacy.
Nurse Advocacy Days: Organize and participate in Lobby Day, connect with state representatives, and distribute legislative handouts on key nursing issues.
Communication Training: Prepare nurses to confidently engage with policymakers through mock interviews, letter-writing campaigns, and public speaking training.
Voter Voice Initiative: Utilize email databases to keep nurses informed on urgent legislative matters and mobilize support for bills affecting nursing and healthcare.
Community Advocacy: Extend nursing advocacy beyond hospitals—engaging with patients, communities, and public health initiatives to drive meaningful change.
Current Legislative Priorities
Key Bills Under Review: The committee is actively monitoring and advocating for legislative measures that protect the nursing profession, improve patient safety, and strengthen healthcare policy, including:
A.3683 – Establishes the "Patient Protection and Safe Staffing Act."
A.4202 – Prohibits unauthorized use of the "Nurse" title by unlicensed individuals.
A.966 – Requires hospitals to establish nurse staffing committees to improve patient care.
A.1017 – Mandates newly licensed RNs to attain a BSN within 10 years for continued licensure.
A.1983 – Requires DHS to launch a public awareness campaign on period poverty.
A.944 – Eliminates certain practice restrictions for Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs).
These bills reflect NJSNA’s commitment to safe staffing, professional integrity, nursing education, and expanded APN practice rights.
Get Involved
NJSNA members play a critical role in shaping the future of nursing policy, and the Legislative Awareness and Advocacy Committee provides multiple ways for nurses to make an impact. By joining the committee, members can actively participate in policy discussions, attend legislative hearings, and help develop advocacy resources that educate both nurses and lawmakers. The committee also offers training opportunities to enhance public speaking, legislative engagement, and community outreach skills, ensuring that nurses feel confident and prepared to advocate for meaningful policy changes. Whether it's meeting with legislators, assisting with research, or spreading awareness of key bills, every action taken strengthens the collective voice of nurses in New Jersey.
CONTACT: Jennifer Chanti – jennifer@njsna.org to get involved.