Margaret Avallone

Dr. Avallone’s scholarly activity focuses on improving care for older adults from disadvantaged populations and advancing nursing education through programs that promote student success and prepare practice-ready graduates. She serves as subrecipient Principal Investigator for Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden on a $5 million DHHS/HRSA grant, in collaboration with the New Jersey Institute for Successful Aging at Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, to develop geriatric workforce competencies and strengthen evidence-based care for vulnerable older adults in the community.

Dr. Avallone has led multiple curricular innovations, including integration of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s 4Ms Framework into the undergraduate nursing curriculum and development of a 3-credit Capstone course designed to address NCLEX-RN curricular gaps. She also developed and evaluated an evidence-based Bridge to Success program, which demonstrated improvements in self-reflective learning and reduced attrition during the junior year. Additional initiatives include near-peer teaching programs to support patient-centered transitional heart failure education and the standardization of handoff education for nursing students. Dr. Avallone has presented this work at national and international conferences and has published on these topics.

DNP (Nursing Practice/Education): Duquense University of the Holy Spirit, 2015

MSN (Critical Care Nursing): University of Pennsylvania, 1988

BSN (Nursing): Villa Marie College, 1985

Diploma (Nursing): Sisters of Charity School of Nursing, Buffalo, New York, 1981

Geriatric baccalaureate education

Critical care nursing

Patient safety and communication

Transition to practice

Self-reflective learning

Student success analytics

Articles in Refereed Journals

• Avallone M, Dahan T, Tucker S. (2026). Supporting self-regulated learning and reducing attrition: Outcomes of a Junior-year bridge program in a baccalaureate nursing program. Nurse Educator. 51(1). doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001997.
• Avallone M, Dahan T, Tucker S. (2025). Enhancing nursing student retention through a mid-curricular bridge program: A focus on self-regulated learning and academic success. Abstracts for the 2025 ENRS Annual Scientific Sessions. Nursing Research. 74(6):p E18-E167, 11/12 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000859.
• Perweiler E, DeGennaro J, Pomerantz S, Mock M, Avallone M, Truchil A, Singer S. (2024). Utilizing the 4Ms framework to create a structure and process to support voluntary health assessments in affordable housing. Journal of the American Geriatric Society (JAGS). 1-9. doi: 10.1111/jgs.19092.
• Stubin C, Avallone M, Manno M. (2024). Addressing the 2021 Essentials with New Approaches for developing leadership, resilience, and self-care/well-being in undergraduate baccalaureate nursing Students. Journal of Professional Nursing. 54, 24-28. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2024.06.003.
• Avallone M, Perweiler E., Pacetti S. (2020). Using the 4Ms framework to teach geriatric competencies in a community clinical experience. Nursing Forum.1-6.  DOI: 10.1111/nuf.12511.
• Cantwell ER, Avallone M, Bowler G. (2020). Using new careers in nursing research findings to develop and evidence-based pre-entry immersion program. Journal Professional Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.profnurs.2020.04.004
• Avallone M, Cantwell, R., Pacetti S. (2019). Clinical introduction to population health management using a peer mentoring strategy. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice. 9(14). 79-85. https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v9n4p79.
• Avallone, M, Cantwell, R. (2016). Teaching nursing students to provide patient-centered transitional education to heart failure patients using a peer teaching strategy. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 7(2), 84-89. http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v7n2p84
• Avallone, MA, Weideman, YL. (2015). Evaluation of a nursing handoff educational bundle to improve nursing student handoff communications: A pilot study. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 5(8), http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v5n8p65
• Avallone, M, Cantwell, R. (2016). Teaching Nursing Students to Provide Patient-Centered Transitional Education to Heart Failure Patients Using a Peer Teaching Strategy. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 7(2), 84-89. http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v7n2p84
• Avallone, MA, Weideman, YL. (2015). Evaluation of a nursing handoff educational bundle to improve nursing student handoff communications: A pilot study. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 5(8),http://dx.doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v5n8p65

Articles in Non-refereed or General Journals

• Cantwell, E.R., Avallone, M., Kushary D., Nelson, J. (2017). New Careers in Nursing: Pre-Entry Immersion Programs (PIP) and Relationship to Graduation from Accelerated Nursing Programs. The Advisor. 37(2), 19-26.

Electronic Publications, Refereed

• Avallone, M, Cantwell, R. (2016) Teaching Nursing Students to Provide Patient-Centered Transitional Education to Heart Failure Patients Using a Peer Teaching Strategy. Virginia Henderson Global Nursing E-repository. Refereed Abstract. Retrieved from :http://www.nursinglibrary.org
• Avallone, M. (2016). A Bundled Approach to Improve Handoff Education in Prelicensure Nursing Virginia Henderson Global Nursing E-repository. Refereed Abstract. Retrieved from: http://www.nursinglibrary.org

Published Conference Proceedings

• Avallone M, Perweiler E, DeGennaro J, Mock M. (2023). Building Clinical Judgment in the Healthcare Workforce by Addressing the 4Ms and Multi-Complexity. Gerontologic Society of America (GSA). Innovations in Aging. 7(S1), p. 41. doi: 10.1093.geroni/igad104.0136.
• DeGennaro J., Bodenheimer L, Perweiler E, Avallone M, Mock M. (2023). Fostering Practice Change by Integrating Interprofessional Education in a Community Health Collaboration. Gerontologic Society of America (GSA). Innovations in Aging. 7(S1), p. 739. doi: 10.1093.geroni/igad104.2393.

Papers, Abstracts, and Lectures

• Avallone M, Dahan T, Tucker S. (2025). Enhancing nursing student retention through a mid-curricular bridge program: A focus on self-regulated learning and academic success. Eastern Nursing Research Society (ENRS) 2025. Philadelphia PA. April 2025. Poster presentation.
• Avallone M. (2025). Building geriatric competencies within an interprofessional clinical experience. Nurse Educator Conference (NEC). Breckenridge, CO. June 2025. Podium presentation.
• Avallone M. (2025). Promoting Junior year retention with a transitional summer bridge program. Nurse Educator Conference (NEC). Breckenridge, CO. June 2025. Podium presentation.
• Stubin C, Avallone M, Manno M. Addressing the 2021 Essentials with new approaches for developing leadership, resilience, and self-care/well-being in undergraduate nursing students. Transform 2024 American Association of Colleges of Nursing. New Orleans. Dec 6, 2024. National podium presentation.
• Avallone M, Perweiler E, Mock M, Datil D. Enhancing Aging Intelligence: How Academic-Community partnerships support interprofessional education in affordable housing. June 6, 2024. Leading Age 2024 Annual Meeting. Atlantic City, NJ. Regional panel presentation.
• Avallone M, Perweiler E, DeGennaro J, Mock M. Building Clinical Judgment using the 5Ms Framework in an Affordable Housing Clinical Experience. 2024 National Nurse Educator Summit. Salt Lake City, NV. April 7-10, 2024. National podium presentation.
• Avallone M, Dahan T, Tucker S. Bridge to Success: Addressing Equity Gaps through a Summer Enrichment Program. 2024 National Nurse Educator Summit. Salt Lake City, NV. April 7-10, 2024. National E-poster presentation.
• Avallone M, Dahan T, Tucker S. Bridge to Success: Addressing Equity Gaps through a Summer Enrichment Program. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Diversity Symposium Feb 5-7, 2024, New Orleans, LA. National podium presentation.
• Avallone M, Perweiler E. DeGennaro J, Mock M. Using the 5Ms Framework to Identify and Address Health Disparities in a Community Experience. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Diversity Symposium Feb 5-7, 2024, New Orleans, LA. National podium presentation.
• Avallone M, Tucker S, Suplee T, Dahan T, Derr R. Bridge to Success: Addressing Equity Gaps through a Summer Enrichment Program. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Transform. Dec 1, 2023. National podium presentation.
• Stubin C, Avallone M, Manno M, Dahan T. Nursing Student Perceptions of Learning Strategies to Enhance Leadership, Resilience, and Self-Care Competencies: A pilot study. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Transform. Dec 1, 2023. Lake Buena Vista, FL. National podium presentation.
• Avallone M, Perweiler E, DeGennaro, J, Mock M. Building Clinical Judgment in the Healthcare Workforce by Addressing the 4Ms and Multicomplexity. Geriatric Society of America GSA 2023. Nov. 8, 2023. National podium presentation.
• Avallone M, Pacetti S., Perweiler E. Using the Age-Friendly 4Ms Framework to Redesign a Community Clinical Experience. Gerontology Society of America (GSA) Nov. 2020. Poster presentation.
• Avallone M. Promoting Age-Friendly Communities for Low Income Elders through an Interprofessional Healthcare Team Experience. National League for Nursing (NLN) Education Summit 2020. Orlando, FL. Sept 2020. Podium presentation.
• Avallone M. Cantwell ER, Pacetti S. An Interprofessional Service-Learning Experience with Low-Income Elders: Use of a Near-Peer Teaching Strategy. Sigma Theta Tau 30th International Nursing Research Congress. Calgary, AB Canada, July 2019. Podium presentation.
• Avallone M. Building Safer Systems by Improving Nursing Student Handoffs using a bundled strategy. National League for Nursing (NLN) Education Summit. Chicago, IL. Sept 13-15. 2018. Poster presentation.
• Avallone M. Improving Safety with the Nursing Handoff Educational Bundle (NHEB). Rutgers University-Camden Faculty Research and Creative Activities Symposium. Nov 28, 2018. Poster presentation.
• Avallone M. Improving the Safety and Effectiveness of Nursing Student Handoff Communications with the Nursing Handoff Educational Bundle (NHEB). ENRS 30th Annual Scientific Session. April 13, 2018. Poster presentation.
• Avallone M. Teaching Nursing Students to Provide Patient-Centered Transitional Education to Heart Failure Patients Using a Peer Teaching Strategy. Doctors of Nursing Practice, Inc. Transforming Healthcare Through Collaboration. Oct. 6, 2016, Baltimore, MD. Podium presentation.
• Avallone M. Evaluation of a Nursing Handoff Educational Bundle to Improve Student Handoff Education. Doctors of Nursing Practice, Inc. Transforming Healthcare Through Collaboration. Oct. 6, 2016, Baltimore, MD. Podium presentation.
• Avallone M. A Bundled Approach to Improve Handoff Education in Prelicensure Nursing Students. Sigma Theta Tau International Leadership Connection 2016, Indianapolis, IN. Sept. 19, 2016. Podium presentation.
• Avallone M, Cantwell ER. Teaching Nursing Students to Provide Patient-Centered Transitional Education to Heart Failure Patients Using a Peer Teaching Strategy. Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Research Conference. July 23-27, 2015. San Juan, Puerto Rico. Podium presentation.

• 2014
  Project Title: Evaluation of a Handoff Educational Bundle to Improve Safety and Effectiveness of Handoff Communications for Prelicensure Students
  Implementation: Fall 2014
  Role: Primary Investigator

• 2013–2016
  Project Title: A Peer Teaching Strategy to Assist Nursing Students to Provide Transition of Care Education for Patients Diagnosed with Heart Failure
  Implementation: Fall 2013, Spring 2014, and Spring 2016
  Role: Primary Investigator

• 2024-2029
  Grant Amount: $5,000,000
  Title: NJ Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP)
  Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
  Principal Investigator: A. Chopra, Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine
  Role: Subrecipient

• 2020–2025
  Grant Amount: $3,750,000
  Grant Number: U1QHP28714
  Title: New Jersey Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP)
  Agency: HRSA
  Principal Investigators: A. Chopra & E. Perweiler, Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine
  Role: Subrecipient

• 07/2022-07/2023
  Grant Amount: $15,833
  Title: Nursing Staff Training in Nursing Home Care, NJ Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program GWEP Supplement
  Agency: HRSA
  Principal Investigator: E. Perweiler, Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine
  Role: Subrecipient

• 01/2023-07/2023
  Grant Amount: $10,000
  Title: A Competency-Based Approach to Leadership Development and Resilience for Student Nurses
  Agency: : Johnson & Johnson
  Principal Investigator: C. Stubin
  Role: Coinvestigator

• 07/2020–07/2021
  Grant Amount: $3,000
  Title: CARES Act GWEP COVID Supplement to Support Telehealth
  Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
  Principal Investigator: A. Chopra, Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine
  Role: Subrecipient Principal Investigator

• 2017–2019
  Grant Amount: $2,550,000
  Title: New Jersey Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP)
  Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / HRSA
  Principal Investigators: A. Chopra & E. Perweiler, Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine
  Role: Subrecipient Principal Investigator

• 01/2017–05/2017
  Grant Amount: $1,000
  Title: Impact of Pre-Immersion Programs (PIP) and Relationship to Graduation Outcomes
  Agency: American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) / Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), New Careers in Nursing
  Principal Investigator: E. Renee Cantwell
  Role: Co-Investigator

• 2017–2019
  Grant Amount: $2,550,000
  Title: New Jersey Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP)
  Agency: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services / HRSA
  Principal Investigators: A. Chopra & E. Perweiler, Rowan School of Osteopathic Medicine
  Role: Subrecipient Principal Investigator
   
• 01/2017–04/2017
  Grant Amount: $1,000
  (Duplicate project listed for cross-reference)
  Title: Impact of Pre-Immersion Programs (PIP) and Relationship to Graduation Outcomes
  Agency: AACN / RWJF
  Investigators: E. Renee Cantwell, M. Avallone, D. Kushary, J. Nelson
  Role: Secondary Contributor
   
• 02/2017–03/2017
  Grant Amount: $1,900
  Title: Erasmus Plus Faculty Higher Education Mobility Grant
  Agency: Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
  Role: Grantee / Faculty Mobility Participant

Professional Awards

• 2024 - Dean's Leadership Award, Rutgers University School of Nursing - Camden 

• 2021 - Lindback Teaching Award, Rutgers University

• 2019 - Outstanding Nurse Educator Award, Rutgers University - School of Nursing - Camden

• 2019 - Grand Champion, ACP-MIT Hacking Medicine Challenge Hackathon

• 2015 - Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence, Rutgers University - Camden

Fellowships

• 2021-2022 - Rutgers Leadership Academy, Center for Organizational Leadership. Capstone: Using a Summer Bridge Program to Improve Educational Outcomes for Historically Underrepresented Nursing Students 

• 2016 - Digital Teaching Fellow, Rutgers University - Camden

• 2015-2016 - Edmund J. Safra Visiting Nursing Faculty Scholars Program for Parkinson’s Education, University of Pennsylvania

• 2013-2015 - Faculty Development Collaborative Program in Geriatrics, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services - HRSA

• New Jersey RN license 26NR09380200
• Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) NLN 539256
• Adult Critical Care RN certification (CCRN)-K, American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)

• American Nurses Association (ANA)

• New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA)