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About
the Board
About
the Oklahoma Board of Nursing
Statement of Purpose
The Oklahoma Board of Nursing was
established to safeguard the public health and welfare of the residents
of Oklahoma by ensuring that any person who practices or offers to
practice registered nursing, practical nursing, or advanced practice
nursing in this state is competent to do so. The Board also ensures
that any person who practices or offers to practice as an advanced
unlicensed assistance person in this state is competent to do so.
The Board accomplishes this purpose through the regulation of nursing
licensure, unlicensed assistance certification, nursing practice and
nursing education. The purpose, as defined in the Oklahoma Nursing
Practice Act, supersedes the interests of any individual, the nursing
profession or any special interest group.
General
Functions of the Oklahoma Board of Nursing
1.
Prescribe standards for educational programs preparing persons for
licensure or certification as Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical
Nurses, or Advanced Unlicensed Assistants.
A.
Provide for surveys of nursing education programs according to the
Rules.
B. Approve nursing education programs and advanced unlicensed assistive
training programs that meet the prescribed standards.
C. Deny or withdraw approval of educational programs for failure
to meet or maintain prescribed standards.
2.
Administer the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for
Registered and Practical Nurses in accordance with the National Council
of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. contract.
3. Administer the advanced unlicensed assistant certification examination
in accordance with the contratual agreement with the test service.
4.
Provide initial licensure and renewal of licensure of duly
qualified applicants, including: A) licensure by examination for new
graduates, B) licensure by endorsement for nurses licensed in other
states or educated in foreign countries, and C) reinstatement of lapsed
license and return to active status applications.
5. Issue/renew license to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses meeting
established requirements.
6. Issue/renew Prescriptive Authority Recognition to Advanced Practice
Registered Nurses meeting approved standards.
7. Maintain records of all licensed nurses and advanced unlicensed
assistive persons. Provide the records for public inspection under
the provisions of the Open Records Act.
8. Investigate complaints of alleged violations of the Oklahoma Nursing
Practice Act and Rules of the Board.
9. Conduct hearings upon charges calling for disciplinary action.
10.
Maintain a Peer Assistance Program for nurses whose competency may
be compromised by drug abuse or dependency.
11. Promulgate rules to implement the Oklahoma Nursing Practice Act.
12. Provide consultation, conduct conferences, forums, studies and
research on nursing education and practice.
Board
Members
The Board is composed
of eleven members appointed by the Governor - six are registered nurses,
three are licensed practical nurses, and two are citizens of the State
who represent the public. All members serve for a period of five years,
with the Public Members serving co-terminously with the Governor.
The officers of the Board are the President, Vice-President, and Secretary-Treasurer
who are elected annually. Contact Board Members by calling 405-962-1811
or email: BoardMember@nursing.ok.gov.
OBN Board Member Information
Member |
Geographical
District
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Term
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Shelly Swalley, MS, RN, President
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8
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2023
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Katherine O'Dell, DNP, RN, Vice-President
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6
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2024
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Kyle Leemaster, MBA, RN, Secretary
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4
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2025
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Amber Garretson, APRN-CNS, CCRN
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5
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2026
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Nikole Hicks, PhD, RN, CNE
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1
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2026
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Jan Palovik, MSA, RN
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3
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2022
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Lindsay Potts, LPN
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2
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2023
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Shawn Stachovic, LPN
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4
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2026
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Georgina Calhoun, Public Member
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3
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2023
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Kathryn N. Taylor, Public Member
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2
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2023
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Map overview to office location:

Staff
Directory
Executive:
- Jenny Barnhouse, DNP, RN, Executive Director
- Sandra Ellis, CPM, Executive Assistant
- Mike Starchman, RN, CPA, Business Manager
Peer Assistance:
- Vacant, Peer Assistance Program Coordinator
- Erica McArthur, RN, BSN, Case Manager
- Marcia Cordry, RN, BSN, Case Manager
- Amy Tomlinson, BA, Legal Secretary
Investigative Division:
- Lisa Griffitts, RN, MS, Director, Investigative Division
- Mark Stroud, RN, BSN, MBA, Nurse Investigator
- Terrie Kiker, APRN-CNS, MS, Nurse Investigator
- Sara Chambers, RN, MS, Nurse Investigator
- April Short, RN, BSN, Nurse Investigator
- Teena Jackson, Legal Secretary
- Andrea Denman, A.A., Legal Secretary
- Robin Bryant, BA, Legal Secretary
Regulatory Services:
- Jackye Ward, RN, MS, Deputy Director, Regulatory Services
- Gina Stafford, RN, BSN, Associate Director of Nursing Practice
- Terri Walker, RN, MS, Nursing Education Consultant
- Darcy Hammond, RN, MS, Licensing Manager
- Melanie Russell, BA, Licensing Specialist
- Laura Ashbaker, RN, ADN, Licensing Analyst
- Janet Campbell, Legal Secretary
- Dana Hall, AA, Administrative Technician
- Romelda Daniels, BA, Administrative Technician
- Karen Murdock, Administrative Technician
- Darma Miner, Administrative Technician
- Keziah Price, Administrative Technician
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