TRENTON—The Institute for Nursing, the foundation of New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA), announced today that it will recognize two Cape Regional Medical Center nurses and a Galloway Township school nurse for excellence in nursing, impact on community and mentorship.
Penny Becica-Kraus, BSN, RN, a perioperative nurse at Cape May Regional Medical Center; Joanne Taylor RN, a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation nurse at Cape Regional Medical Center; and Mary Beth Wegman, MSN, RN, a nurse in the Galloway Township school system will be recognized at the Institute for Nursing Awards and Scholarship Gala on April 5, 2018, at the Hyatt Regency Princeton. One nurse from among the 14 outstanding nominees will be honored with the “Beacon of Light” award.
“The Institute for Nursing Awards and Scholarship Gala is an event to celebrate nursing by recognizing nurses and community members who represent a passion for the profession, said Kate Gillespie, MBA RN NE-BC, chair of the Institute for Nursing and NJSNA president-elect. “These individuals demonstrate the passion and commitment to help other nurses through mentoring, coaching and giving back to the community through their compassion and desire to help others achieve their goals.”
Becica-Kraus will be honored for her outstanding work towards inspiring the lives of other nurses through leadership, service, community impact and mentorship.
Becica-Kraus has been a nurse at Cape Regional Medical Center since 1981 and has been actively involved in the nursing community. She is the chairperson of the Nurse Resource Council, DAISY Award Committee and always seeks ways to recognize her colleagues, organizing fundraisers and educational events to promote and advocate for the practice of nursing.
Taylor will be honored for her outstanding work towards inspiring the lives of other nurses through leadership, service, community impact and mentorship.
Taylor started her career as post-critical care nurse and now serves as a cardiac pulmonary rehab nurse at Cape Regional Medical Center. She is known for her communication skills, empathy, patience, and positive and caring attitude that creates an atmosphere of trust and commitment for her patients. She’s considered a “change agent” for patients and teaches and guides them to make lifestyle changes and helps motivate them.
She received the Nursing Excellence Award in 2014.
Wegman believes her main role is bringing people hope. She serves as a peer facilitator for NJSNA and the Institute for Nursing’s Recovery and Monitoring Program (RAMP), which helps nurses in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. She meets weekly with the nurses and provides a safe place for them to share their experiences and provides guidance and support.
That passion is evident in her numerous volunteer activities, including serving with the Interfaith Health & Support Services, as well as being a board member for the Eastern Star Nursing Home in Bridgewater and advisory board member for The Center for Healing and Wellness. She also volunteers at the Little Egg Harbor Community Center and is pursuing a certification to become an advocate for sexual abuse victims.
She has a love for children and she displays it as a school nurse in Galloway Township. That love extends to her home, where here and her husband have been foster parents to eight children and recently adopted a daughter they fostered for three years.
To learn more about the New Jersey State Nurses Association, visit www.njsna.org.
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