On a quiet day in Trenton, a policy change occurred that most New Jerseyans never noticed until it began threatening nurse practitioner-owned medical practices across the state. It’s not about politics. These are real people. At the center of this issue are the advanced practice nurses (APNs) who supported New Jersey during COVID, started small businesses in times of need, and are now suddenly faced with new rules.
For nearly five years, emergency executive actions allowed advanced practice nurses (APNs) to operate with full practice authority when New Jersey needed every qualified provider possible. These orders made a real difference. They kept clinics open, reduced wait times and improved access to care in communities already facing provider shortages. Patients remained treated and outcomes improved. In many ways, the system worked because RPNs and nurses held it together.
When the public health emergency ended on January 16, 2026, the last day of Governor Murphy’s term, these flexibilities were not made permanent. Instead, an outdated legal framework has returned, accompanied by a 30-day compliance deadline that many APNs describe as impractical and unrealistic. Legally and transparently established practices were suddenly told that they must either transfer ownership to a doctor or close altogether.
One nurse practitioner’s story shows the real impact of this change.
Jenn Plescia, a dual board-certified family and emergency nurse practitioner with a doctorate from Rutgers University and over a decade of experience in emergency and urgent care, founded IVs By The Seas in Point Pleasant. They are a wellness and aesthetic practice, women-owned small business, trusted employer and healthcare provider with hundreds of five-star patient reviews. Plescia is the mother of two young girls. She employs ten people, including a pregnant employee who depends on her job stability. Like many APNs, she never aimed to become a political activist; she wanted to treat patients.
Now she faces a difficult choice that no clinician should have to make: transfer ownership of her medical practice to a doctor who will never see her patients or who will close her doors completely. She clearly stated that she would close her doors before giving up ownership of what she had built. Not out of defiance, but out of principle. If she closes, the impact goes beyond her own livelihood: jobs will be lost, tax revenue will disappear, patients will lose access to care, and yet another woman-owned health care business will disappear from the community.
Zooming out, the pattern becomes surprisingly clear. Industry estimates suggest that New Jersey has approximately 1,500 nurse-run medical spas and wellness practices, a significant majority of which are owned by women. Nursing remains a predominantly female profession, while New Jersey’s medical workforce is predominantly male. Policies that force nurse owners to relinquish control do not exist in isolation; they disproportionately affect women who took risks, created jobs and stepped up while the health system was under immense pressure.
What is particularly notable is that lawmakers say they are surprised by the change. Several state senators admitted they — and likely the new governor — were caught off guard by the sudden 30-day deadline. One senior lawmaker found the timing concerning, noting that while the related legislation was known, its activation during a gubernatorial transition raised serious concerns. Another lawmaker stressed that the circumstances of the situation deserve examination, affirming his intention to find the source of the problem and resolve it, rather than neglecting it.
Timing matters. Former Gov. Phil Murphy signed the order on his last day in office, after years of public support for expanding nursing authority during the pandemic. The new administration faces this problem as well as a backlog of unresolved budget, infrastructure and health challenges. Even supporters of the current regulations agree that widespread clinic closures would hinder access to care for Medicaid patients who rely heavily on APNs, increase unemployment, reduce state tax revenue, and reduce access to timely care, particularly in the areas of women’s health, behavioral health, substance abuse treatment, and outpatient services where APNs play a crucial role.
None of this should be political. More than two-thirds of U.S. states allow nurse practitioners to work independently as part of their education and licensure. New Jersey has already tested this model under crisis conditions – and it worked.
That’s why Senate Bill S2996 is important. This would modernize outdated laws, align New Jersey with effective national standards, and provide stability rather than uncertainty. For APNs like Jenn Plescia, this represents the difference between continuing to serve their communities and dismantling the very practices designed to do so.
There is still time to act, but it requires immediate public attention. Respectful appeals to legislative leaders, particularly to Senate President Nicholas Scutari’s office, can help move the debate forward. Voters are encouraged to seek help to advance S2996 and require full permanent practice authority for APNs, so that access to affordable, quality health care does not suffer due to bureaucratic changes. The deadline for APN-owned businesses is February 16. Readers are encouraged to contact representatives immediately. New Jersey prides itself on its resilience, fairness and common sense. The APNs at the heart of this issue embody these values. The question now is whether the state will support them or let silence determine their future.
Links:
IVs by the seas Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/ivsbytheseas
IVs By The Seas Website
https://www.ivsbytheseas.com/
Executive Order 102:
https://www.nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-102.pdf
Executive Order 112:
https://www.nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-112.pdf
Executive Order 292:
https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-292.pdfExecutive Order 415:
https://nj.gov/infobank/eo/056murphy/pdf/EO-415.pdf
Declaration IV By The Seas:
https://www.ivsbytheseas.com/help
Senate Bill S2996:
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bill-search/2026/S2996
Sign the petition:
https://www.change.org/p/make-advanced-practice-nurse-expansions-permanent-in-new-jersey?recruiter=1399726772&recruited_by_id=4 be3afc0-f55a-11f0-977e-c93b6bd8dc9d&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=starter_onboarding_share_personal&utm_medium=copylink
