TOPEKA, KAN. (KSNT) — Worries and fears about the Kansas Board of Nursing are piling up, and calls to defund the board are getting attention.
In July, a Government Oversight Committee Meeting uncovered some issues with the Board of Nursing. Several nurses testified that they had been wrongfully accused of “Unprofessional Conduct.”
Now, after the committee met again, several more nurses have stepped forward, claiming they are struggling to find jobs due to the “Unprofessional Conduct” demerit. These nurses say they were given this label for simple mistakes, such as a computer error while renewing their licenses or renewing their licenses a few days late.
However, they are now struggling to find jobs as Kansas continues to deal with a nursing shortage.
One of these nurses, Amy Siple, testified during Monday’s meeting, asking the legislature to take action.
“Do not let my efforts and the efforts of my colleagues be in vain,” said Siple. “We are here at great personal risk because we are trying to represent the next generation of nurses.”
State lawmakers responded by saying they are “horrified” by what’s happening. They have officially asked the Board of Nursing to evaluate their official rules and regulations. Additionally, some lawmakers on the committee have expressed interest in defunding the Kansas Board of Nursing altogether.
We spoke with Kansas Rep. Troy Waymaster, who said this is essentially meant to be a wake-up call to the Board.
“Usually when we use the term to defund the board or defund the agency, it’s to get their attention on a particular item,” said Waymaster. “I think we have done that.”
Carol Moreland, the executive director for the Kansas Board of Nursing, warned lawmakers against any effort to defund the board.
“The Board of Nursing affects public protection; it affects the nursing workforce in the state of Kansas,” Moreland said. “I hear all the time about shortages of nursing. Let me tell you, you could make it a whole lot worse.”
Lawmakers have expressed interest in other solutions, such as establishing a grace period for nurses who may have forgotten to renew their license. Additionally, Waymaster has expressed interest in a Constitutional Amendment, which would give the Kansas legislature oversight over the rules and regulations of the Board.
“I believe we could go back and rewrite the rules and regulations that were put in place in 1982 by the Board of Nursing and say no, you’re not going to classify a license being lapsed as unprofessional conduct,” said Waymaster.
