Nurses came under the jurisdiction of the Department of Professional Regulation upon its creation in 1917. The regulatory Act includes both “practical”, “registered” and “advanced practice” nurses within its scope and includes nursing in all of its specialties. The Board of Nursing his thirteen members appointed by the Secretary, consisting of four advanced practice nurses, three nursing educator representatives, two registered nurses, one licensed practical nurse, one nursing administrator, one nurse and one public member.
The Board’s duties include making recommendations on the adoption of revisions to the rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of the Act, conducting hearings and disciplinary conferences upon calling for discipline of a license, and recommending approval or denial of nursing education programs.