Office of Health Professionals Regulation

Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education

Mission Statement

The Board of Nurse Registration and Nursing Education is charged with protecting the health, safety and welfare of the people of Rhode Island. The Board, through enforcement of statutes and regulations, safeguards the people from unauthorized, unqualified, and improper application of services by individuals in the practice of nursing.

The Board meets on the second Monday of each month. It is composed of fifteen (15) members, each serving a term of three (3) years. Board membership includes eleven (11) professional nurses and two (2) practical nurses appointed by the Director of Health and approved by the Governor and two (2) members of the general public appointed by the Governor. Nurse members represent the different basic education programs, nursing service administration advanced practice and clinical services.

The general duties of the Board include:

• Prescribing standards for nursing education programs preparing persons for licensure;
  
• Providing for evaluation of nursing education programs and related clinical facilities, as it deems necessary;
  
• Initial and ongoing approval of nursing education programs;
  
• Requiring standards for nursing practice within organized nursing services as well as the individual practice of licensees;
  
• Approval of examinations for licensure;
  
• Issuance of nursing licenses to qualified applicants;
  
• Verification of licensure status of nurses;
  
• Determination of the qualifications necessary for, and the granting of prescriptive privileges to certified registered nurse practitioners and psychiatric and mental health clinical nurse specialists;
  
• Investigation of complaints and to conduct hearings upon charges calling for discipline of a licensee; and
  
• Conduct public hearings, investigations, and studies of nursing practice, nursing education, and disseminates information that in the judgment of the board, will allow the nursing profession to provide safe, effective nursing services to the public.