Kenneth Kirkland

The Joint Committee meeting addressed several protocols and skill approvals. Key discussions included receiving the Alabama Board of Nursing (ABN) approved Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin Injection Protocol as information, and deferring the ABN Oculoplastic Skill Approval item. New business involved the approval of modifications to the ABN Revised Botox for Chronic Migraines Protocol and the ABN Revised Botox for Hyperhidrosis Protocol. Modifications were also approved for the ABN Revised Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin Injection Protocol. The committee approved adding specific skills to the ABN CRNP Standard Protocol for several certifications, while deferring other complex procedures for acute and primary certifications. The committee voted not to approve the ABN New Oculoplastic Protocol and approved a specific oculoplastic skill request for two individuals with protocol modifications. Finally, the committee considered and approved a request from Dr. Cash for Advanced Practice Practitioners (APPs) to perform dermal fillers.

The Regular Board Meeting addressed numerous agenda items. Key discussions included the modification and adoption of the Consent Agenda, which involved removing a travel item. The full agenda was adopted as amended. Financial reports reviewed included the revenues and expenditure summary as of July 31, 2025, and the approval of the fiscal year 2027 proposed budget. Reports covered numerous topics, including the voluntary surrender for revocation of several nursing licenses. The Board established the daily compensation rate for Board Members for FY 2025 and 2026 at $300.00 and increased the compensation rate for Joint Committee Members to $150.00. Significant policy work involved the final certification of revisions to the Administrative Code regarding prelicensure clinical education, revisions to the Voluntary Disciplinary Alternative Program (VDAP) rules, and affirmation of the Fee Schedule. In Advanced Practice, the Board appointed nurse members to the Joint Committee, approved revisions to the CRNP Standard Protocols, approved a new consolidated Critical Care Protocol, and approved revisions to the Cosmetic Botulinum Toxin Injection Protocol. The Board also approved recipients for Nursing Scholarships and Advanced Practice Nursing Loan Repayment Program loans. A large portion of the session involved Executive Session to address numerous disciplinary cases, resulting in the acceptance of 32 Consent Orders pertaining to license status changes, probations, and reprimands, as well as one voluntary surrender.

The meeting included several presentations on Anti-Trust, APRN Education, and APRN Disciplinary matters. Key actions included the approval of the 2026 Board Meeting Calendar, the election of 2026 officers (President, Vice President, and Secretary), and the acceptance of numerous reports including Executive Officer, Legal Division, and various program reports. Major agenda items involved the approval of Troy University's Accelerated Master of Science in Nursing (AMSN) program applications, certification of revised Administrative Code Chapters concerning CRNP/CNM qualifications, approval of 2026 Joint Committee Meeting Dates (with amendments), approval to support allowing CRNPs to independently sign sports physical forms, and approval of revised Critical Care and Neonatal CRNP Standard Protocols. Furthermore, revisions were approved for Women's Health Care and Family Practice Standard Protocols concerning IUD removal. The Board also approved standardized procedures for Rectal Dilation and Gastrostomy Tube Stoma Dilation for Registered Nurses at Children's of Alabama. A significant portion of the meeting involved disciplinary actions, including the acceptance of multiple consent orders (placing licenses on probation, issuing reprimands, or accepting revocations) and the revocation of licenses following administrative hearings. The Board also voted to request an Attorney General's Opinion on eight specific legal questions related to the authority of the Joint Committee and regulatory processes.

The meeting focused on succession planning, including a review of the duties of the Executive Committee and the NCSBN Succession Planning Toolkit. The Executive Officer's retirement plans were discussed, with a timeline set between January and May of 2026, including a four-month training period for the new Executive Officer. The Executive Committee will review applications for the ABN Executive Officer position and narrow them down to the top candidates for the ABN Board to review and/or interview. A notice of the position will be published, with a resume/application deadline of November 14, 2025.

The Alabama Board of Nursing held a regular meeting where they discussed various topics including the adoption of the consent agenda, modifications to the full agenda, and a review of the May 23, 2025 board meeting minutes. The board also reviewed financial reports, executive officer reports, and reports from the legal division, voluntary disciplinary alternative program, investigations, legal nurse consultants, probation/compliance monitoring, and policy and communications. Additionally, the board discussed nursing education programs, including a new post-master's psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate program at the University of Mobile, and revisions to advanced practice protocols, including cosmetic botulinum toxin injection protocol and standard protocol revisions. The board also covered continuing education, licensure, practice, board travel, and disciplinary cases, which were discussed in an executive session.