Board Prepares to Testify Oct. 5 at Senate Oversight Committee

TRENTON, N.J.—Sept. 29, 2017—Gov. Chris Christie announced appointments to the Board of Nursing today, appointing 10 new members to the Board and three reappointments.

“While we are grateful for him filling board seats and eliminating all board vacancies, the timing seems a bit uncanny given there is a Senate Oversight Committee hearing about the Board of Nursing scheduled for next Thursday, Oct. 5,” said Benjamin Evans, DD, DNP, APN, president of New Jersey State Nurses Association.

Dr. Patricia Murphy, the president of the Board of Nursing, was relieved of her duties on the board effective today with two months left in her term. “With her 10 years of experience, she would have been an asset to orientating the new president and 10 new board members with her years of insight and experience,” Evans said. “We thank Dr. Murphy and the retiring board members for their service to the nurses and patients of New Jersey and we look forward to working with the new board to keep moving the practice of nursing forward and safeguarding our patients.”

While these appointments are certainly a step forward, there are many issues at the Board of Nursing that still need attention and resolution, such as staffing, funding and a backlog of nursing license applications.

“We look forward to advocating for the practice of nursing, protecting patients and testifying at the Senate Oversight Committee next week, Evans said. “We look forward to assisting in any way and being a resource for our elected and appointed officials.”

Gov. Chris Christie’s appointments to the Board of Nursing:

New Jersey Board of Nursing

Registered Nurses

Appoint Donna Lodato, RN (Interlaken, Monmouth)

Reappoint Gina Marie Miranda-Diaz, DNP (North Bergen, Hudson)

Reappoint James V. Doran, APN, CRNA, MS (Bridgewater, Somerset)

Reappoint Lucille Ann Joel, Ed.D. (Oradell, Bergen)

Appoint Irma R. Camaligan, RN (Somerset, Somerset)

Nurse Educators

Appoint Mary Beth Russell, Ph.D., RN-BC (West Orange, Essex)

Appoint Dorothy Kozlowski, RN, MSN, APN-C (Westfield, Union)

Advanced Practice Nurse

Appoint Robert M. Shearer, CRNA, MSN, APN/Anesthesia (Mullica Hill, Gloucester)

Licensed Practical Nurses

Appoint Michael Milk, LPN (Brick, Ocean)

Appoint Mariela Zapata, LPN (Cherry Hill, Camden)

Public Members

Appoint Tayfun Selen, LEED, AP, CPA (Chatham Township, Morris)

Appoint Anne Semanik (Sea Girt, Monmouth)

Executive Branch of State Government Representative

Appoint Alison J. Gibson (Cinnaminson, Burlington)

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About NJSNA
NJSNA, which was established in 1901, is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association.  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. NJSNA’s lobbying arm continues to protect the nursing profession through legislative victories. 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. For more information, nurses can visit njsna.org or contact NJSNA at njsna@njsna.org or (609) 883-5335.