As 2024 comes to an end, it seems a uniquely appropriate time to review the regulatory successes at the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (LSBN) and to thank my staff and the eleven experts who make up our Board of Directors including President Tracey Moffatt, MHA, RN; Vice President Dr. Jennifer Manning, DNS, APRN; Alternate Officer Teresita McNabb, MHA, RN; Dr. Jennifer Couvillon, PhD, RN; Dr. Wendi Palermo, PhD, RN; Mimi Primeaux, MS, CRNA; Deborah Spann, MSN, RN; Dr. Michelle Collins, PhD, CNM; Amie Bulliard, MSN, RN; Dr. Fredrick Pinkney, EdD Consumer Member; and Denise Bottcher, Consumer Member. Without their dedication. leadership and strategic vision, LSBN could not have accomplished our goals for this year. Additionally, the members of my staff who operationalize the Board’s vision have established a culture that is team-oriented, creating safe spaces to share ideas and willing to jump in during crises or heavy workloads to maintain team harmony. As CEO, I couldn’t be prouder of the culture that this diverse group of individuals has created.

A strong and expanding workforce requires that we keep approving and expanding our educational institutions that educate the future RN workforce. In that regard, we approved the LPN to RN Apprenticeship Program between Bossier Parish Community College and Willis-Knighton. Additionally, LSBN approved Tulane University for Step II to establish a BSN nursing education degree program and Chamberlain University was approved to begin master’s programs in the APRN roles of Family Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, and a Graduate Certificate in Nursing Education (non-APRN). We also approved LSUHSC’s addition of a post-Master’s DNP program in Nurse Midwifery to address the state’s ability to improve health outcomes for expectant mothers and babies especially in the African American population. LSUHSC will also begin a Doctor of Nursing Practice for the Nurse Educator pathway to attract RN clinicians into a career in academia.

The Board initiated an evaluation of their functions, both as individual members of the Board of Directors and for the Board as a group. The evaluation was facilitated by internationally acclaimed Dr. Stephanie Ferguson, an RN who has worked in 100+ nations as a technical advisor, consultant, and facilitator for organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN).

It has been a busy and productive year for the LSBN Board of Directors. The RNs, APRNs, and public can rest assured that the members are active and engaged in providing support, resources, and training to RNs and APRNs while also acting as a governing body to monitor nursing performance in their mission to protect the public.