Rhode Island § 5-34-4 - Nurses

§ 5-34-4. Board of nursing — Establishment — Composition — Appointment, terms, and removal of members — Director of nurse registration and nursing education.

(a) Within the division of professional regulation, pursuant to chapter 26 of this title, there is a board of nurse registration and nursing education, sometimes referred to herein as the “board of nursing.” The board shall be composed of fifteen (15) members. The term of office shall be for three (3) years. No member shall serve more than two (2) consecutive terms. The member shall serve until a qualified successor is appointed to serve. In making those appointments, the director of the department of health shall consider persons suggested by professional nurse organizations and the practical nurse’s association.

(b) Present members of the board holding office under the provisions of this chapter shall serve as members of the board until the expiration of their terms or until qualified successors are appointed. The fifteen-member (15) board shall include: eleven (11) professional nurses, 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. Three (3) professional nurses shall be from different basic education programs preparing students to become nurses; one professional nurse shall be from a nursing service administration; four (4) professional non-administrative, clinical nurses not licensed as advanced practice nurses; and three (3) professional advanced practice nurses, one who holds a license as a certified registered nurse anesthetist, one who holds a license as a certified registered nurse practitioner, and one who holds a license as a certified clinical nurse specialist. No educational program or cooperating agency shall have more than one representative on the board.

(c) The director of health may remove any member from the board for cause including, but not limited to, neglect of any duty required by law, incompetence, unprofessional conduct, or willful misconduct. A member subject to disciplinary proceedings shall be disqualified from board business until the charge is adjudicated. There shall also be a director of nurse registration and nursing education appointed by the director of health in accordance with the provisions of chapter 4 of title 36.