Department of Health
Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, Commissioner

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About the Board of Nursing

The Board of Nursing was created in 1911 by an act of the State Legislature. The board’s mission is to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of Tennesseans by requiring that all who practice nursing within this state are qualified. The Board is responsible for the investigation of all violations of law and rules, and disciplines licensees of those who are found guilty.

Board responsibilities center around three broad functions—licensure, education and practice. In terms of licensure, the board grants licenses to licensed practical nurses, registered nurses and advanced practice nurses (certification). The board prescribes the minimum curriculum for all nursing programs. Only graduates of approved schools of nursing are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), which is required for licensure.

As to practice, the board interprets the law to determine the appropriate standard of practice, causes the investigation of nurses alleged to violate the law and rules, and disciplines the license of and/or imposes civil penalties on those found guilty.

The board contracts with the Tennessee Nurses Foundation to provide professional assistance to nurses with physical, mental, emotional and/or chemical dependency issues. The monitoring and referral program, supported by licensure and renewal fees, provides a valuable service to assist in the rehabilitation of nurses.

To assist in the discharge of its duties, the board employs a registered nurse executive director and two nurse consultants to carry out the various activities of the board. The administrative staff of the Division of Health Related Boards supports the board by issuing licenses to those who meet the requirements of the law and rules. Registered and practical nurses may be licensed by examination or endorsement from another state. Once licensed, nurses renew their licenses every two years. Renewal notices are mailed from the administrative office forty-five days prior to expiration of the license to the current address on file. Licensees are responsible for renewing on time and keeping the board apprised of current information. Licenses may be renewed online up to one hundred and twenty days prior to expiration at Tennessee.gov/health, click on renewal of license and follow prompts. It is a violation of the law and of the board’s rules to practice on an expired license.

The board is further authorized to issue an advanced practice nurse (APN) certificate with or without a certificate to prescribe to nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists. Qualifications include current registered nurse licensure, a master’s degree in a nursing specialty area, three quarter hours of pharmacology, national certification and evidence of specialized practitioner skills. An advanced practice nurse certificate without prescriptive authority may be issued in certain situations where the nurse does not meet the pharmacology qualification.

The board consists of eleven members appointed by the Governor for four year terms or until their successors are appointed. Five members are registered nurses, three members are licensed practical nurses, two members are advanced practice nurses and one is a consumer member who is not a nurse and is not commercially or professionally associated with the health care industry. Members may be selected from lists of nominees submitted by their respective organizations for each appointment

The board meets six times per year. A quorum of six members is required to conduct business. The meetings are open to the public.

Contact the Board of Nursing

To contact this board, call (615) 532-5166 local or 1-800-778-4123 nationwide
or write
Tennessee Board of Nursing
227 French Landing, Suite 300
Nashville, TN  37243

Members

Board Members

Meeting Schedule

Meeting Schedule

Public Notices will remain online until the minutes are ratified and posted on the Meeting Minutes tab. Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at 227 French Landing, MetroCenter.

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Minutes

Copies of all minutes are maintained in the official record section of the administrative office. Please contact the board administrator to make arrangements to review minutes of meetings held prior to 2004.

• March 4, 2010 Rule Making Hearing (Minutes will be posted as soon as they are available)
• March 3, 2010 (Minutes will be posted as soon as they are available)
• February 18, 2010
• February 12, 2010 (Minutes will be posted as soon as they are available)
• January 21, 2010
• December 02, 2009 (Minutes will be posted as soon as they are available)
• November 10, 2009
• September 25, 2009
• September 25, 2009 Rule Hearing (Minutes will be posted as soon as they are available)
• September 2-3, 2009
• August 18, 2009
• August 17, 2009 Teleconference
• August 12, 2009 Teleconference
• June 3-4, 2009
• May 20, 2009
• March 30, 2009
• March 25-26, 2009
• March 19, 2009
• February 19, 2009 Public Notice (Minutes will be posted a soon as they are available)
• February 18, 2009
• December 4, 2008
• December 3-4, 2008
• September 25, 2008
• September 11, 2008
• September 3 - 4, 2008
• July 17, 2008 Joint Standing Committee
• June 4-5, 2008
• February 27-29, 2008
• December 5 - 6, 2007
• September 27, 2007
• September 5, 2007
• May 30-31, 2007
• March 7-8, 2007
• February 22, 2007
• January 5, 2007
• December 6-7, 2006
• November 20, 2006
• October 17, 2006
• September 6-7, 2006
• June 7-8, 2006
• March 1-2, 2006
• February 15, 2006
• December 7-8, 2005
• September 7-8, 2005
• August 25, 2005
• June 1-2, 2005
• May 10, 2005
• March 2-3, 2005
• December 13-14, 2004
• October 21-22, 2004
• September 1-2, 2004
• May 13-14, 2004
• March 9-10, 2004

National Organization

National Organizations of State Boards

Information on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing may be obtained by phone, fax, Internet, or writing to:

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: 312-525-3600
Fax: 312-279-1032
www.ncsbn.org

To learn more about Tennessee Center for Nursing and the power to make a difference, contact:

Tennessee Center for Nursing, Inc.
545 Mainstream Drive, Suite 406
Nashville, TN 37228-1201 Phone: 615-242-8205
Fax: 615-242-8207
www.centerfornursing.org