Members from the NJNS, Inc. attended the New Jersey League for Nursing 2011 Nurse Recognition Awards Gala on November 4, 2011. The beautiful dinner included an awards ceremony, door prizes, raffles, and dancing. The humbled honorees were proud to receive awards for doing something they love to do. It was an honor to be in the same room as these leaders and extremely accomplished individuals. The room was filled with nurse educators, presidents of prestigious nursing organizations, and pioneers in their field from hospitals throughout New Jersey. The celebration of achievement showed the support colleagues have for each other. Even Senator Vitale showed his support for nurses by saying a few words. Specialty nurses came from long term care facilitates, rehabilitation centers, oncology departments, and nurse educators, just to name a few. These individuals are setting the bar high for future nurses, but paving the way for future positive changes.

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On December 8, 2011, board members of the NJNS attended the 2011 New Jersey State Nurses Association APPLE Awards Ceremony, “Acknowledging Physician Partners: a Liaison for Excellence.” The APPLE Awards were bestowed upon eighteen honored physicians for their commitment to the nurse-physician relationship. Honorees were acknowledged for their efforts and support of nurses and the patient advocacy that is the foundation of nursing. Funds raised by the ceremony were used to provide educational scholarships and research grants to nursing students and nurse scholars in our state. Amongst renowned health care clinicians from New Jersey, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and were able to hear stories of the importance of a healthy physician-nurse relationship. It was truly an honor to join in awarding these physicians from a multitude of specialties in fostering the development of a skilled multi-disciplinary team.