Actions Taken By the Georgia Board of Nursing at its November 14-16, 2007 Meeting

Macon, Ga.—The Georgia Board of Nursing held its bi-monthly meeting Wednesday, November 14, 2007 through Friday, November 16, 2007.

The Board voted to adopt the following rule:

• Rule 410-11-.03 Use of Nurse Protocols Authorized by O.C.G.A. §43-34-26.1 by Registered Nurses in Specific Settings. Amended: Clarifies protocol use by registered nurses.

A more detailed summary of the proposed rule changes can be found here.

The Board granted approval to the following institutions for Developmental Programs:

• Chattahoochee Technical College AD Program
• LaGrange College
• Macon State College – Prelicensure BSN

The Board approved Thomas University’s plans to offer a RN-BSN Completion off-campus classes at Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie, Georgia in the spring of 2008.

The Board approved the following site visits for 2007-2008:

DATE OF VISIT	INSTITUTION	BOARD MEMBER
November 6-7, 2007	Athens Technical College	Linda Easterly
January 31-February 1, 2008	Augusta State University	Kellie Lockwood
February 14-15, 2008	Georgia State University	Scott Thigpen
February 19-20, 2008	Coastal Georgia Community College	Karen Wessinger
March 6-7, 2008	Northwestern Technical College	Toni Barnett
April 7-8, 2008	Clayton State University	Delynn Keeton
April 17-18, 2008	Columbus State University	Linda Herren

Site visits allow the Board’s education director and the selected board member to review a college’s nursing curriculum to make sure it is meeting state standards.

The Board voted to accept the following Public Consent Orders:

1. Jane Allen, Monroe: Felony conviction for forgery.
2. Heather Belflower, Catuala: Violation of Consent Order.
3. Karen McPadden, Monroe: Violation of Consent Order.
4. Mary Ellen Bolnik, Lawrenceville: Violation of Consent Order.
5. Melissa Smith, Macon: Violation of Mental Physical Examination Order and drug diversion.
6. Jill Bailey, Americus: Violation of Consent Order.
7. Benjamin Horne, Yatesville: Felony Conviction for Child Molestation.
8. Roy Manuel, Hephzibah: Conviction for Domestic Violence.
9. Jason Troemel, Brunswick: Chemical Dependence: Alchohol.

The Board voted to accept the following Voluntary Surrenders:

1. Carol Demott, Moultrie: Unable to follow recommendations of the Board.
2. Linda Graham, Ringgold: Unable to follow recommendations of the Board.
3. Jonathan Hall, Oglethorpe: As a final disposition of pending disciplinary proceedings.
4. Amber Hannon, Peachtree City: As a final disposition of pending disciplinary proceedings.

The Board voted to accept the following Voluntary Cease and Desist Order:

1. Sherrie C. Ward, Suwanee: Practicing nursing without a license.

In other Board news, the Board appointed the following members to the Advanced Practice Registered Nurses’s Committee:

• Dr. Marina Slemmons
• Cheryl McRae-Bergeron

The Board appointed Kitty Bishop to the Ad Hoc Committee regarding the registered nurse’s role during emergencies, natural disasters and pandemics.

The Board heard a report from the Ad Hoc Committee recommending amendment of the Georgia Professional Nurse Practice Act expressly to allow registered nurses from other states to enter Georgia and render assistance during emergencies or disasters. The Board discussed and approved wording of such an amendment which would add a new paragraph to O.C.G.A. § 43-26-12(a). The Board also voted to send a letter to Governor Sonny Purdue requesting support, input and suggestions about getting the proposed statutory amendment enacted.

The Board’s next meeting will be held January 16-18, 2008 at the Professional Licensing Boards Division in Macon, Georgia.