Nancy F. Munoz, RN, assemblywoman of the 21st legislative district in New Jersey (left), greets Eileen P. Williamson, RN, Nurse.com senior vice president and chief nurse executive.
(Photo by Janice Petrella Lynch, RN)
During her more than 35-year nursing career, Nancy F. Munoz, RN, MSN, CNS, worked as a staff nurse in the surgical ICU, recovery room and ED, and as a critical care educator and healthcare risk manager for an insurance company. Now as the New Jersey assemblywoman for the 21st legislative district, she has a passion for influencing healthcare legislation and sponsoring initiatives that positively affect the profession and the lives of the 110,000 RNs in the state.
"New Jersey nurses can be a major force in policymaking decisions, but only if they get involved and don’t let someone else do it for them," she said, challenging nurses to know the policymakers making decisions and to be at the table to have their voices heard.
Strong and steady
Munoz is working to eliminate regulatory and policy barriers that limit nurses’ ability to transform practice. "We have a bill drafted that removes joint protocol, so that advanced practice nurses can practice under their own license," she said. When nurses practice to the full extent of their education and training, they earn the respect they deserve, she said.
Professional respect is paramount to Munoz. Believing nurses must seek higher education for career development and to advance the profession, she has collaborated with the New Jersey State Nurses Association and the presidents of County Colleges. They hope to establish a process under which community colleges may receive approval to offer baccalaureate degree nursing programs, provided they have the same academic requirements.
As changes in healthcare are enacted through the Affordable Care Act, Munoz believes nurses will have many more advancement opportunities available to them. "If we seek higher education, pay attention to and participate in policymaking, and respond to the changes within our healthcare system, we will improve ourselves and advance the profession," Munoz said.
Life changes
Munoz unexpectedly became the assemblywoman of the 21st legislative district in March 2009.
Eric Munoz, a trauma surgeon and Nancy Munoz’s husband, had served as assemblyman for eight years, involving himself in various healthcare issues.
Munoz’s husband died that March, and with the support of her five children, she invested herself in the process of seeking the Summit GOP support, and in getting petitions signed and sent to Trenton in order to take over his legislative seat. She also assumed her husband’s seat as a member of the health and senior services committee.
"Because I had attended many events and participated in a number of programs with and for my husband, everyone knew me," she said. "Although it was an extremely painful and very sad time for me and my family, I knew I was prepared for the role."
Munoz was sworn into office on May 21, 2009. In November 2011, she was elected to her second two-year term, representing 16 towns in Morris, Somerset, Essex and Union counties.
"It’s been my privilege and honor to serve as assemblywoman, and I hope to continue to serve and make meaningful changes," Munoz said.
Janice Petrella Lynch, RN, MSN, is a regional nurse executive.
"New Jersey nurses can be a major force in policymaking decisions, but only if they get involved and don’t let someone else do it for them," she said, challenging nurses to know the policymakers making decisions and to be at the table to have their voices heard.
Strong and steady
Munoz is working to eliminate regulatory and policy barriers that limit nurses’ ability to transform practice. "We have a bill drafted that removes joint protocol, so that advanced practice nurses can practice under their own license," she said. When nurses practice to the full extent of their education and training, they earn the respect they deserve, she said.
Professional respect is paramount to Munoz. Believing nurses must seek higher education for career development and to advance the profession, she has collaborated with the New Jersey State Nurses Association and the presidents of County Colleges. They hope to establish a process under which community colleges may receive approval to offer baccalaureate degree nursing programs, provided they have the same academic requirements.
As changes in healthcare are enacted through the Affordable Care Act, Munoz believes nurses will have many more advancement opportunities available to them. "If we seek higher education, pay attention to and participate in policymaking, and respond to the changes within our healthcare system, we will improve ourselves and advance the profession," Munoz said.
Life changes
Munoz unexpectedly became the assemblywoman of the 21st legislative district in March 2009.
Eric Munoz, a trauma surgeon and Nancy Munoz’s husband, had served as assemblyman for eight years, involving himself in various healthcare issues.
Munoz’s husband died that March, and with the support of her five children, she invested herself in the process of seeking the Summit GOP support, and in getting petitions signed and sent to Trenton in order to take over his legislative seat. She also assumed her husband’s seat as a member of the health and senior services committee.
"Because I had attended many events and participated in a number of programs with and for my husband, everyone knew me," she said. "Although it was an extremely painful and very sad time for me and my family, I knew I was prepared for the role."
Munoz was sworn into office on May 21, 2009. In November 2011, she was elected to her second two-year term, representing 16 towns in Morris, Somerset, Essex and Union counties.
"It’s been my privilege and honor to serve as assemblywoman, and I hope to continue to serve and make meaningful changes," Munoz said.
Janice Petrella Lynch, RN, MSN, is a regional nurse executive.
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