About NJCCN

About the New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (NJCCN)

Transforming New Jersey’s Nursing Workforce through Residency Programs.

Building New Jersey’s Nursing Future Through Collaboration and Leadership

The New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing originated in 1995 from the Robert Wood Johnson Colleagues in Caring (CIC) program, which was created from the vision of Geri Dickson, PhD, RN and other nurse leaders. The mission of CIC was to initiate change through collaboration with key stakeholders from all sectors of nursing. The initial goals of the CIC were to develop a nursing demand forecasting model for New Jersey and to establish legislation to create a state nursing workforce center. The New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing (the Center) was established by state legislation (P.L.2002, c.116) on December 12, 2002. As per this legislation, the Center is housed at Rutgers University, School of Nursing, Newark Campus, and is guided by a 17-member board representing New Jersey nursing and healthcare stakeholders. Members of the Board are appointed by the New Jersey Governor, Senate, and Assembly. The Center’s Board and staff work on behalf of nurses to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding the nursing workforce and its impact on patient care.

Voices of NJCCN:
Advancing Nursing Through Collaboration

A behind-the-scenes look at leadership, impact, and innovation.

2025–2026 Strategic Plan

The New Jersey Collaborating Center for Nursing’s 2025–2026 Strategic Plan reflects a bold commitment to advancing a resilient, diverse, and future-ready nursing workforce across the state. Guided by our vision to be the dominant voice on nursing workforce solutions in New Jersey, this plan outlines key priorities that address current challenges and future opportunities in healthcare.

At the core of this strategic framework are seven interconnected focus areas: workforce recruitment, emotional well-being, data analytics, collaborative solutions, innovation in transition and retention, and alignment with the National Academy of Medicine’s Future of Nursing 2020–2030 Report. These pillars support a central foundation rooted in professional identity, diversity, equity and inclusion, ethical practice, and technology integration.

Driven by collaboration, research, and stakeholder engagement, NJCCN is poised to lead transformative initiatives that strengthen nursing education, practice, and policy. This plan not only responds to the evolving needs of New Jersey’s healthcare landscape but also ensures that nurses remain empowered and prepared to deliver high-quality care well into the future.