Appointment
The governor appoints all members and attempts to make appointments that reflect the geography of the state. The board members who are nurses should as a whole reflect the broad mix of practice types and sites of nurses practicing in Minnesota.
Each member must file with the secretary of state the constitutional oath of office before beginning the term of office.
In the case of a vacancy, the governor appoints a person to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the unexpired term.
Membership Terms
The terms of members are four years with the term ending the first Monday in January. Members serve until their successors are appointed and qualify. If the governor fails to appoint a successor by July 1 of the year in which the term expired, the term of the member for whom a successor has not been appointed extends for four more years.
A member may not serve more than two full terms consecutively. If a member serves a partial term which is greater than two years it is considered a full term for this purpose.
Meetings
Board meetings typically last from 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and committee meetings vary. Meetings are conducted bimonthly at 1210 Northland Drive #120, Mendota Heights, MN 55120. Board activities include board and committee meetings, discipline and educational conferences and representing the Board at state and national meetings. As a public servant, board members volunteer many hours of service averaging approximately one-to-two days per month. The time commitment is approximately 150-175 hours annually. Additional time is required for committee and complaint review panel meetings. Committees and task forces generally meet every one-to-two months. Each board member participates in disciplinary and education conferences approximately one day every one-to-two months. Preparing for meetings and conferences requires additional individual time commitment.
Compensation
Members other than those who are employees of the state or political subdivisions are compensated at the rate of $75 a day spent on board activities plus expenses in the same manner and amount as state employees under the Commissioner's Plan. Such members may also be reimbursed for child care expenses incurred as a result of board membership.
Board activities include board and committee meetings, discipline and educational conferences, and representing the Board at state and national meetings. As a public servant, board members volunteer many hours of service averaging approximately one-to-two days per month. Board meetings are conducted monthly. Committees and task forces generally meet every one-to-two months. Each board member participates in disciplinary and educational conferences approximately one day every one-to-two months. Preparing for meetings and conferences requires additional individual time commitment.
Removal/Vacancies
Any nurse on the board who during incumbency permanently ceases to be actively engaged in the practice of nursing or otherwise becomes disqualified for board membership is automatically removed.
A member may be removed at any time
Registered Nurse positions
There are eight registered nurse positions on the Board of Nursing, of which five have specific requirements. The general and specific requirements are as follows.
General Requirements
Each of the eight registered nurses must:
1. be a resident of Minnesota,
2. have graduated from an approved school of nursing,
3. be licensed and currently registered as a registered nurse in Minnesota,
4. have had at least five years experience in nursing practice, nursing administration or nursing education immediately preceding appointment, and
5. be actively engaged in the practice of nursing at the time of appointment.
Specific Requirements
1. One registered nurse must have had at least two years executive or teaching experience in a baccalaureate degree nursing program approved by the board during the five years immediately preceding appointment.
2. One registered nurse must have had at least two years executive or teaching experience in an associate degree nursing program approved by the board during the five years immediately preceding appointment.
3. One registered nurse must have had at least two years executive or teaching experience in a practical nursing program approved by the board during the five years immediately preceding appointment.
4. One registered nurse must be practicing professional nursing in a nursing home at the time of appointment.
5. One registered nurse must have national certification as a registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), nurse midwife (CNM), nurse practitioner (CNP), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS).
6, 7, and 8. The remaining three registered nurses must have had at least five years of experience in nursing practice or nursing administration immediately preceding appointment. Areas of practice may be acute care, clinic, community, occupational health, school health or any other area which is not long-term care or nursing education.
Licensed Practical Nurse positions
There are four licensed practical nurse positions on the Board of Nursing. The requirements below apply to each of the positions.
The licensed practical nurse must:
Public Member positions
There are four public member positions on the Board of Nursing. The law defines a public member as follows:
A person who is not, or never was, a member of the profession or occupation being licensed or regulated or the spouse of any such person, or a person who does not have or has never had, a material financial interest in either the providing of the professional service being licensed or regulated or an activity directly related to the profession or occupation being licensed or regulated, as defined by Minnesota Statutes section 214.02.
General Requirements
Each of the public members must:
1. be a resident of Minnesota
2. meet the definition of a public member stated above.
Specific Requirement
One of the four public members must be 60 years of age or older.
Resources: MN Statutes Sections 15.0591 , 148.181 subdivision 1 , and 214.02
