TRENTON, N.J.-Mar. 7, 2016-Norma L. Rodgers, BSN, RN, CCRA, president, New Jersey State Nurses Association, has been recognized with Bloomfield College’s Alumni Hall of Honor Award. Rodgers was chosen for her impact on nursing and how she has been a passionate advocate for Bloomfield College’s nursing program.

“The Frances M. McLaughlin Division of Nursing faculty was firm and nurturing. They helped me discover leadership talents that I did not realize I had at the time. By supporting and encouraging me, I continue to build on the leadership foundation that was started at Bloomfield College. Even today the faculty, nursing students and alumni continue to encourage and support my endeavors,” said Rodgers, a member of the Class of 1999. “Bloomfield College gave me a solid foundation to build a great nursing career by showing me options within nursing, the importance of being involved in the student nursing association and professional nurses association upon graduation.”

With more than 15 years of experience in pharmaceutical clinical trials and research, Rodgers is a senior clinical research associate at PAREXEL International, managing Phase I Oncology clinical trials by ensuring subject safety and ICH-GCP compliance.

“Like many, I thought I had to be at the bedside to help my patients and their families, I have learned that as a nurse career paths are endless and that I can still give back and help others,” she said. “In the clinical trials arena, I know that the research studies I work on provide the future treatments for cancer patients and improve their quality of life and, hopefully, one day, closer to a cure.”

During Rodgers’s tenure as president of NJSNA, the organization has had many accomplishments including:

• Passage of the APN Death Certification Bill in March 2015. APNs can now electronically sign death certificates on the NJ DOHSS website.
• Lobbying for nursing issues at the American Nurses Association Lobby Day in Washington D.C., meeting with several congressional office staff members. Bills that were discussed included The Registered Nurse Safe Staffing Act, The Home Health Care Planning Improvement Act and the Improving Veterans Access to Care Act.
• Appointment to the NJ Division of Health and Human Services Marijuana Task Force.
• Interviewed by Dr. Oz concerning “The View” Miss Colorado comments.
• Introduction of the Consumer Access to Health Care Bill Joint Protocol for Advanced Practice Nurses.
• Representation of NJSNA at the American Nurses Association membership assembly.

“Volunteering my time for the New Jersey State Nurses Association allows me to have an impact on nursing by protecting the practice of nursing and healthcare through legislation and health policies,” Rodgers said. “The mission of the NJSNA is to promote the profession of nursing; advance the practice of nursing and advocate for nurses. I embrace the NJSNA mission by educating nurses and students on career options, legislation that may impact their practice and encouraging them to join and get involved in the professional nursing association. Bloomfield gave me a strong nursing foundation and NJSNA has given me an opportunity to build and add another layer of experience onto that foundation.”

Rodgers was selected by fellow alumni to receive the award, which was established by The Bloomfield College Alumni Association in 2008 as a way to annually honor and recognize distinguished alumni.

She will be recognized on April 9 at Galloping Hills Country Club in Kenilworth, N.J.

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About NJSNA
The New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) represents the interests of 125,000 registered nurses and advanced practice nurses as an advocate for the nursing profession. Its nonprofit foundation, Institute for Nursing, helps nurses further their careers by providing continuing education, scholarships and research grants in addition to invaluable networking opportunities. NJSNA’s lobbying arm continues to protect the nursing profession through legislative victories. NJSNA, which was established in 1901, is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association. For more information, nurses can visit www.njsna.org or contact NJSNA at njsna@njsna.org or (609) 883-5335.