CHAPTER 1ADMINISTRATIVE AND REGULATORY AUTHORITY[Prior to 8/26/87, Nursing Board[590] Ch 1]6551.1(17A) Board mission. The board of nursing protects the public health, safety, and welfare by regulating the licensure of nurses, the practice of nursing, nursing education, and continuing education.Related ARC(s): 6196C6551.2(17A, 147, 152, 152E, 272C) Description and organization of the board. 1.2(1) Board composition. The board is composed of four registered nurses, two of whom are engaged in active practice and two of whom are nurse educators from nursing education programs; one licensed practical nurse actively engaged in practice; and two members who represent the general public and are not registered nurses or licensed practical nurses. Of those board members who are nurse educators, one should be involved in higher education, and the other should be involved in area community college and vocational-technical nurse education. 1.2(2) Board leadership and committees. The board shall annually select a chairperson and a vice chairperson from its own membership. The election of chairperson and vice chairperson, as well as standing committee assignments, shall be done during the first regularly scheduled meeting after May 1. 1.2(3) Executive director. The board shall retain a full-time executive director who is responsible for the administration of policies and programs of the board and for the operation of the board office. Pursuant to Iowa Code section 135.11B, the board shall advise the director of the department of public health in evaluating potential candidates for the position of executive director, consult with the director in the hiring of the executive director, and review and advise the director on the performance of the executive director in the discharge of the executive director’s duties. 1.2(4) Board authority. The board’s authority for regulating nursing education, nursing practice, and continuing education for nurses in the state of Iowa is found in Iowa Code chapters 147, 147A, 152, 152E, and 272C.Related ARC(s): 6196C6551.3(17A, 152, 152E, 272C) Responsibilities. The responsibilities of the board include but are not limited to:
- Licensing qualified applicants for the practice of nursing by examination, endorsement, renewal, and compact privilege pursuant to Iowa Code chapters 147, 152, 152E, and 272C.
- Conducting investigations and imposing discipline for violations of statutes or rules related to the practice of nursing pursuant to Iowa Code chapters 147, 152, and 272C.
- Approving nursing education programs pursuant to Iowa Code section 152.5.
- Collecting, analyzing, and disseminating nursing workforce data pursuant to Iowa Code section 152.4.
- Approving continuing education providers to ensure continued competency of individuals licensed by the board to practice nursing pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 272C.
- Administering the Iowa nurse assistance program to support the evaluation and monitoring of licensees who are impaired as a result of any substance use or mental or physical condition pursuant to Iowa Code section 272C.3.
- Overseeing the nursing profession through policymaking, rule making, and advocating for and against legislation pursuant to Iowa Code section 135.11B.