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.
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.
| Member |
Geographical
District
|
Term
|
|---|---|---|
|
Shelly Swalley, MS, RN, President
|
8
|
2023
|
|
Katherine O'Dell, DNP, RN, Vice-President
|
6
|
2024
|
|
Kyle Leemaster, MBA, RN, Secretary
|
4
|
2025
|
|
Amber Garretson, APRN-CNS, CCRN
|
5
|
2026
|
|
Nikole Hicks, PhD, RN, CNE
|
1
|
2026
|
|
Jan Palovik, MSA, RN
|
3
|
2022
|
|
Lindsay Potts, LPN
|
2
|
2023
|
|
Shawn Stachovic, LPN
|
4
|
2026
|
|
Georgina Calhoun, Public Member
|
3
|
2023
|
|
Kathryn N. Taylor, Public Member
|
2
|
2023
|
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
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided at this site is correct, but due to the changing nature of the Internet, the Board disclaims any responsibility for any inaccuracies.