LaDonna Marsh

The committee discussed and approved the procedure for port catheter removal by certified registered nurse practitioners and addressed standard protocol revisions regarding Total Parenteral Nutrition for various nurse practitioner specialties. Additionally, the committee finalized the 2026 meeting schedule, updated language and skill sets for several nurse practitioner standard protocols to align with current national standards, and denied a specific collaborative practice application due to concerns regarding experience in psychiatric disorders.

The Board meeting included several key agenda items such as a presentation on Board travel and compensation, review of financial reports, and the acceptance of various reports from the executive officer, legal division, research division, and education programs. The Board approved the University of South Alabama's applications for a new Nurse Anesthesia pathway. Additionally, the Board approved the 2026 application deadlines and Joint Committee meeting dates and revised various CRNP standard protocols, including those for Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Adult Care, Gerontology, and Pediatric programs. The Board also conducted disciplinary proceedings, including the acceptance of numerous consent orders and administrative hearings regarding nursing licenses, resulting in various disciplinary actions, revocations, and reinstatements.

The Board discussed and approved several regulatory updates, including a Cease and Desist Consent Order shell for multistate license holders, revisions to administrative codes regarding medication assistant certification, advanced practice nurse titles, and clinical hour requirements. Additionally, the Board approved a resolution honoring the retiring Executive Officer and authorized the creation of an ad hoc committee for clinical practice requirements. Significant time was dedicated to disciplinary matters, resulting in various consent orders, license suspensions, and probation terms for numerous licensees. The Board also reviewed financial reports and updates regarding nursing education programs and national standards.

The Alabama Board of Nursing's strategic initiatives are designed to safeguard and promote public health through regulatory excellence. Key strategic pillars include enhancing nursing education through programs like the Leadership Institute and Just-in-Time Training, improving communication and transparency via social media and the Center for Nursing Excellence, ensuring regulatory excellence by supporting the nursing workforce and revising scope of practice standards, and demonstrating leadership by promoting Full-Practice Authority for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and eliminating regulatory barriers. The plan aims to foster growth, development, and support for nurses while ensuring regulatory compliance and public awareness.

The Alabama Board of Nursing's strategic direction focuses on safeguarding public health through regulatory excellence in nursing practice and education. This vision is supported by activities encompassing nurse licensure, continuing education, advanced practice nursing oversight, and comprehensive nursing education programs, including scholarship and loan repayment initiatives. The Board's operations, legal enforcement, and Center for Nursing Excellence further contribute to ensuring a qualified, ethical, and continuously developing nursing workforce for the citizens of Alabama.