Professional Nursing Websites
Christina Clevenger
Western Kentucky

Introduction As I searched through the websites for the Kentucky Board of Nursing (KBN), the National Council State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), and the Tennessee Board of Nursing (TBN) I found out a lot of helpful information about the licensure and the NCLEX. I chose the TBN as my third website to research because I plan to practice nursing someday in that state.
Functions, Missions, and Histories Each website was filled with different missions, histories and functions. KBN’s mission is “The Kentucky Board of Nursing protects the well-being of the public by development and enforcement of state laws governing the safe practice of nursing, nursing education and credentialing,” (Kentucky Board of Nursing, 2013b). On the KBN’s website I found out that the first annual report that was posted in 1975. I was unable to find any further information on the history on the KBN website; it was really hard to find specific information. The KBN functions are to provide quality nursing practices, furthering and continuing education, and credentialing (Kentucky Board of Nursing, 2013b). Throughout the websites I searched education and practice were the predominant functions that I saw. These factors are very important in order to keep the structure of a board of nursing. The TBN was founded in 1911, and it was first created by the legislature and then it was further signed and made a law by the Governor Ben W. Hooper (Tennessee Department of Health, 2013). TBN’s mission according to the website is “Safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of Tennesseans by requiring that all who practice nursing within this state are qualifies and licensed to practice,” (Tennessee Department of Health, 2013). The TBN’s website clearly stated that the functions that were included were licensure, education and practice (Tennessee Department of Health, 2013). Just like the previous KBN website education and practice show up again in the functions of this board of nursing. I found that it was easy to navigate the TBN website. I was able to find all the information I was looking for in the matter of minutes. The NCSBN is a very collaborative website that regulates all of the boards of nursing even overseas such as New Zealand and British Columbia to name a few (National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc., 2013). The mission of organization is “The National Council of State Boards of Nursing provides education, service, and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection,” (National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc., 2013). As it was stated in the mission that are working towards evidenced-based research and are incorporating it into the nursing practice. The NCSBN is also working to protect the public (National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc., 2013). They are protecting the public by regulating all of the other boards of nursing and overseeing everything that those boards do. According to the website the NCSBN was founded in 1978 (National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc., 2013).
Similarities and Differences The KBN and TBN are similar in a few different ways. Both of their missions are to insure the safety of the public. It is important for the boards of nursing to regulate because nurses need rules for practicing. If a nurse was able to do whatever they pleased to do the public would not be a safe place. Both boards of nursing have a link available for nurses to renew their license online. Each website provided specific instructions on how to apply for the licensure in their state. A calendar was also provided on both of the websites that had a list of all the meetings they had coming up along with the times,