Johnson & Johnson Campaign For Nursing’s Future Raises Nearly $400,000 At Promise Of Nursing Gala

ORLANDO, Fla., March 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Hundreds of nurses gathered in Orlando last night to celebrate nursing and raise nearly $400,000 to help alleviate the growing nursing shortage in Central Florida. The Promise of Nursing for Central Florida gala, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson in association with regional hospitals, nursing schools and nursing organizations, raised funds for nursing school grants, faculty fellowships and scholarships to be used throughout Central Florida.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050325/CLF011 )

Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings was among the honored guests celebrating the amazing work of the Central Florida nursing community.

"The impact nurses have on the health and safety of Florida's citizens is tremendous, as they step to the front line every day to care for the physical and emotional needs of millions of patients across the state," said Jennings.

"Meeting the increasing demand for these vital health caregivers is an urgent matter being diligently addressed by the state, as well as universities, hospitals, corporations, professional and non-profit organizations," she said. "We have witnessed this collaboration first hand with the Promise of Nursing for Central Florida, and we are thankful to Florida's nurses for their unwavering dedication and service to patients throughout the state."

Florida faces a severe nursing shortage. By 2020, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) expects Florida's vacancy rate to rise from 7 percent to 33 percent, or more than 61,000 nurse vacancies. Fortunately, efforts such as The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future and Promise of Nursing galas are having a positive impact. Approximately 70 percent of fund-raising proceeds from last night's event will be allocated to faculty development and capacity expansion grants for nursing programs with the remaining 30 percent supporting nursing student scholarships.

"Solving the nursing shortage requires the collective efforts of policymakers, corporations, health care providers and consumers," said Curt M. Selquist, company group chairman, Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc. "We were honored to have Lt. Governor Toni Jennings in attendance to celebrate the remarkable work of nurses. Her focus on the nursing profession will help ease the shortage and bring awareness to the issue."

Since 2002, the Promise of Nursing galas have raised more than $6 million nationwide with events in 12 cities. Additional galas for 2005 include Boston, April 27, and Houston in fall 2005. In total, The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing's Future is expected to raise more than $2.5 million in 2005 to help ease the shortage.

ABOUT JOHNSON & JOHNSON

Johnson & Johnson, through its operating companies, is the world's most comprehensive and broadly based manufacturer of health care products, as well as a provider of related services, for the consumer, pharmaceutical, and medical devices and diagnostics markets. The more than 200 Johnson & Johnson operating companies employ approximately 109,900 men and women in 57 countries and sell products throughout the world. For more information visit http://www.jnj.com/ .

CONTACT: Kristen Smith of Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems Inc.,+1-732-562-3527

Web site: http://www.jnj.com/