Dr. Susan O’Brien, dean of the School of Nursing and Dr. George A. Pruitt.
Dr. George A. Pruitt, president of Thomas Edison State University, has been selected by the New Jersey State Nurses Association to receive the association’s 2009 President’s Award.
The award is given each year by the president of the New Jersey State Nurses Association to an individual who is not a nurse but who has been a champion for the nursing profession. The association elects a new president every two years.
“Dr. Pruitt’s unwavering support for nursing’s right to determine its future is very important to us at this time,” said Dr. Barbara Chamberlain, current president of the New Jersey State Nurses Association. “This is an interesting time for nurses. As we face national nurse shortages and national nurse educator shortages, there are a variety of emerging roles for nurses that are enabling us to break new boundaries in healthcare. Dr. Pruitt has known that all along and has supported nursing tremendously.”
At Thomas Edison State University, Dr. Pruitt has provided strong support for more than 25 years for the ongoing development and expansion of the nursing program. During that time, the program has grown to its current enrollment of more than 1,000 RNs from more than 30 states across the country, and has expanded from an RN-BSN degree program to an RN-BSN/MSN degree program.
“Dr. Pruitt has provided the School of Nursing with both the consistent and solid support needed to accomplish its goals,” said Dr. Susan O’Brien, dean of the School of Nursing.
Dr. Pruitt will receive the award at the New Jersey State Nurses Association reception and awards dinner on March 25th in Atlantic City.
Toni M. Terry, BA