2023 Tennessee Code › Title 63 - PROFESSIONS OF THE HEALING ARTS (§§ 63-1-NEW — 63-32-119) › Chapter 7 - NURSING (§§ 63-7-101 — 63-7-403) › Part 2 - BOARD OF NURSING (§§ 63-7-201 — 63-7-210) › Section 63-7-202 - Composition - Candidates - Qualifications - Vacancies

(a)
The governor shall appoint eleven (11) members to the board, as follows:
(1)
Nine (9) members, one (1) from each congressional district, who are either an advanced practice registered nurse or a registered nurse at the time of their appointment. At least two (2) members shall be registered nurses. At least three (3) members shall be advanced practice registered nurses. For the purposes of this section, an advanced practice registered nurse shall not include registered nurses;
(2)
One (1) member who is a licensed practical nurse at the time of such nurse's appointment; and
(3)
One (1) consumer member.
(b)
In making appointments to the board, the governor shall consider appointing members who work in a variety of healthcare positions, including the following practice settings:
(1)
A Level I trauma center licensed pursuant to title 68, chapter 11, part 2;
(2)
An acute care hospital;
(3)
A critical access hospital or a rural hospital;
(4)
A mental health facility licensed under title 33; and
(5)
A long-term care facility.
(c)
No more than three (3) members shall be engaged in an academic position at the time of their appointment to the board.
(d)
In making appointments to the board, the governor should consider the importance of geographical diversity to this board.
(e)
(1)
Members of the board may be appointed by the governor from lists of qualified persons submitted by interested nursing groups, including, but not limited to, their respective organizations. Each list may contain a minimum of three (3) times as many names as the number of appointments to be made. Lists of persons shall be submitted at least forty-five (45) days prior to the expiration of the term of office of any members of the board. The appointment provisions of this subdivision (e)(1) shall not apply to the public member serving on the board.
(2)
In making appointments to the board in accordance with subdivision (e)(1), the governor shall consult with interested nursing groups, including, but not limited to, their respective organizations to determine qualified persons to fill the positions.
(f)
Each licensee member appointed to serve on the board shall:
(1)
Be a resident of this state for at least one (1) year immediately preceding appointment;
(2)
Be currently licensed and in good standing with an unencumbered license;
(3)
Be currently engaged in the practice of nursing; and
(4)
Have no less than five (5) years of experience as an advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, or licensed practical nurse.
(g)
The consumer member appointed to the board shall:
(1)
Be a resident of this state for at least one (1) year immediately preceding their appointment;
(2)
Not have a direct or indirect financial interest in healthcare services;
(3)
Not have been a healthcare provider or be enrolled in any health-related educational program; and
(4)
Not be a member or employee of any board of control of any public or private healthcare organization.
(h)
A vacancy on the board shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the governor in such a manner to ensure the requirements of this section are met.
(i)
In making appointments to the board, the governor shall strive to ensure that at least one (1) person serving on the board is sixty (60) years of age or older and that at least one (1) person serving on the board is a member of a racial minority.
(j)
Except as provided in subsection (k), members currently holding appointments on the board shall serve their full terms. As vacancies occur, new appointments shall be filled by the governor in accordance with this section.
(k)
No member shall serve more than eight (8) continuous years on the board. A member shall be eligible to be reappointed after not serving on the board for four (4) years. The term of any member of the board with eight (8) or more years of service on the board on April 25, 2012, shall terminate January 1, 2013.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 980, s 17, eff. 7/1/2016.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 980, s 16, eff. 7/1/2016.
Acts 1967, ch. 78, § 3; 1981, ch. 462, § 1; T.C.A., § 63-731; Acts 1984, ch. 755, § 4; 1988, ch. 1013, § 45; 2005, ch. 387, §§ 13, 14; 2012 , ch. 814, § 3.