Role of the Statutory Body in Nursing Education

In each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia an appointed board regulates nursing. One of the boards' key responsibilities is the approval and evaluation of all nursing education programs within their jurisdictions.

Membership

• Each board of nursing derives its authority from that state's nursing practice law. Governors appoint board members, but boards may be required to report to other state agencies in addition to their governors. In the District of Columbia, the mayor appoints. Typically, board of nursing members represent different levels of the profession, such as LPNs and RNs. Some states, such as Virginia, require that regular citizens also be on the board.

Oversight

• There are several education paths to nursing: community college programs for Licensed Practical Nurse or the Associate Degree in Nursing, college or university programs leading to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing and hospital schools that award the Diploma in Nursing. Boards of nursing regulate all these programs. In addition, the boards regularly evaluate nursing programs for their conformity to state regulations.

Program Approval

• In approving a new nurse-training program, a state board typically looks at all aspects of the proposed program. For example, the Texas Board of Nursing reviews such things as the program's philosophy, program of study, faculty, plans for student recruitment and budget. Virginia's Board of Nursing requires that programs include training in "child abuse recognition and intervention."