The structure of N19-22 nuclei was investigated by means of in-beam gamma-ray spectroscopic technique using fragmentation reactions of both stable and radioactive beams. Based on particle-gamma and particle-gamma gamma coincidence data, level schemes are constructed for the neutron-rich nitrogen nuclei. The experimental results are compared with shell model calculations. The strength of the N=14 and Z=8 shell closures and the weakening of the shell model interaction WBT are discussed.