National honor recognizes Margaret Quinn’s contributions to pediatric nurse practitioner education, workforce development and children’s health

Margaret Quinn (DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, FAANP), a clinical professor and the specialty director of the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program at Rutgers School of Nursing, has been inducted as a fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

The prestigious honor recognizes nurse practitioner leaders for outstanding contributions to clinical practice, research, education, and policy. Quinn, a resident of Barnegat, New Jersey, was among 59 fellows inducted during the AANP National Conference on June 25 in Las Vegas.

AANP fellows now number just over 1,000 — comprising less than 1% of the nation’s more than 461,000 licensed nurse practitioners. AANP is the largest professional membership organization for nurse practitioners in the U.S. and represents NPs across all specialties.

“Congratulations to Dr. Quinn for this well-deserved recognition of her outstanding leadership, dedication to pediatric health and unwavering commitment to educating the next generation of nurse practitioners,” said Angela Starkweather (PhD, ACNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN), dean and professor at Rutgers School of Nursing.

“Her work continues to strengthen our academic programs, expand access to high-quality care for children and families, and advance the nursing profession on a national level,” Starkweather added.

A certified pediatric nurse practitioner and certified nurse educator, Quinn has dedicated her career to advancing pediatric health outcomes through education, clinical practice and workforce development.

At Rutgers School of Nursing, she leads its comprehensive Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program, which offers acute care and primary care specializations, including one of the nation’s few dual acute and primary care tracks.

She has secured external funding to support academic program development, student scholarships and leading-edge simulation technology and equipment.

Quinn is the project director for a four-year, $2.6 million federal grant that established the Rutgers University Advanced Nursing Education Workforce (RU-ANEW) Program. The initiative is designed to expand access by increasing the number of advanced practice registered nurses with specialized training to provide culturally responsive care in medically underserved communities.

She has contributed to national discussions on pediatric nurse practitioner education and workforce needs and helped develop national guidelines. Her scholarly and clinical interests include childhood obesity prevention, vaccine safety and the effects of traumatic events on children’s health.

Quinn serves on the executive board of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners-New Jersey Chapter as legislative chair. She received the chapter’s Leadership and Mentor Award in 2023 and the Rutgers Health Chancellor Award for Distinguished Educator in 2021.

“I am deeply honored to join this distinguished community of AANP fellows,” Quinn said. “This recognition reflects a career shaped by generous mentors, committed colleagues, inspiring students and the families and communities at the center of our work. I am grateful for their support and for the opportunity to continue advancing pediatric care and education.”