FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
February 25, 2003

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Genene Morris (973)504-6327

NEWARK - The Advisory Council to Promote Nursing in New Jersey will hold a series of public hearings in February and March to solicit input from the public on the current nursing shortage.

The Advisory Council, created by Executive Order to study the nursing shortage and to promote nursing in New Jersey, has scheduled three public hearings to take place Feb. 26, March 12 and March 26. The public hearings serve to give participants an opportunity to share their views on:

• The current and long-term implications of the growing shortage of nurses in New Jersey;
  
  
• How to improve the education, recruitment and retention of nurses in New Jersey; and
  
  
• Mechanisms available in New Jersey and other states that enhance the education, recruitment and retention of nurses in the workforce.

The public hearings will take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the following locations:

• February 26 - Atlantic City Medical Center
  1925 Pacific Ave.
  Atlantic City, N.J.
  609-441-8131
  
  
• March 12 - New Jersey Hospital Association
  760 Alexander Road
  Princeton, N.J.
  609-275-4011
  
  
• March 26 - Bergen Community College, Room TEC128
  400 Paramus Road
  Paramus, N.J.
  201-447-7158

Requests to speak at the hearings should be submitted in writing no later than one week prior to the public hearing to Deputy Attorney General Alexandra Garcia at 124 Halsey St., 5th Floor, Newark, N.J. 07101. Each participant will be asked to provide at least 16 copies of their prepared remarks to the hearing officer on the day of the public hearing. Presentations will be limited to five minutes each. Individuals who do not pre-register to speak will be given an opportunity to speak only if time permits.