1986to1994

Forging New Frontiers with Computerized Adaptive Testing (CAT)

NCSBN had its eye on the future as it began researching the use of computer adaptive testing for the NCLEX. It took several years of research and hard work by dedicated professionals, but in 1994, NCSBN became the first health care organization to utilize computerized adaptive testing for the purpose of licensure.

Leadership from 1986to1994

Portrait of Sharon Weisenbeck, MS, RN

Sharon Weisenbeck, MS, RN

PRESIDENT | 1984 - 1986

The big job that NCSBN had was to support its members and to make the work of the boards more effective and efficient.”

Portrait of Ruth Elliott, EdD, RN

Ruth Elliott, EdD, RN

PRESIDENT | 1986 - 1988

The road ahead will take commitment, involvement and the vision of each member of our organization. We must work together to master these changes and shape the future of the National Council.”

Portrait of Renatta Loquist, MN, RN, FAAN

Renatta Loquist, MN, RN, FAAN

PRESIDENT | 1988 - 1990

Together, we have built upon a solid foundation with an eye to the future and a hand on our mission.”

Portrait of Carolyn Hutcherson, MS, RN

Carolyn Hutcherson, MS, RN

PRESIDENT | 1990 - 1992

The strength of the organization, as well as its positive outlook for the future, is a true reflection of the visionary leaders we have among us.”

Portrait of Rosa Lee Weinert, MS, RN

Rosa Lee Weinert, MS, RN

PRESIDENT | 1992 - 1994

This truly marks a great achievement by hundreds of hard working nurses and testing professionals who had the foresight and dedication to bring a project of this magnitude to fruition.”

Portrait of Marcia Rachel, PhD, RN

Marcia Rachel, PhD, RN

PRESIDENT | 1994 - 1996

All indications show NCLEX using CAT is a secure, fair, efficient way to test for nursing competence at the entry level.”

Portrait of Eileen McQuaid Dvorak, PhD, RN

Eileen McQuaid Dvorak, PhD, RN

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1979 - 1988

An important part of that future are the relationships the National Council develops with other organizations. As the world grows closer together with every technological advance in communications, the relationships we can have with like organizations in other countries are the most intriguing and, as yet, least defined possibilities.”

Portrait of Jennifer Bosma, PhD, CAE

Jennifer Bosma, PhD, CAE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 1989 - 1998

The National Council believes that the values of integrity, competence and accountability are key to accomplishment of its mission to promote public policy for safe and effective nursing practice. Our strength is in our member boards working synergistically together and sharing their expertise.”

1986

Delegate Assembly Decisions

  • Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) Issues

    A position paper on APRN clinical practice was adopted.

  • Unlicensed Assistive Personnel (UAP) Issues (Medication)

    A motion was adopted approving the formulation of a position statement on the activities of UAPs, particularly on the administration of medication by UAPs, for consideration by the 1987 Delegate Assembly.

  • Entry Into Practice

    A resolution was adopted on entry into practice: “Resolve that NCSBN provide a clearinghouse of information relative to individual state board positions and activities regarding upgrading of nursing education requirements; and be it further resolved that NCSBN direct a committee of state board representatives to develop a report on entry into practice to be presented to the Delegate Assembly in 1986.”

  • NCLEX Challenges and Review

    Adopted a policy on review and challenge of a licensure examination by candidates who failed.

  • Position of Neutrality on Educational Requirements for Entry Into Practice

    Delegates requested a committee on entry requirements on nursing practice be formed to monitor ongoing issues.

Awards

  • R. Louise McManus Award

    • Joyce Schowalter

Committees

  • Administration of Examination Committee
  • Bylaws Committee
  • Disciplinary Task Force
  • Finance Committee
  • Long Range Planning Committee
  • Nominating Committee
  • Nursing Practice and Standards Committee

1987

Delegate Assembly Decisions

  • NCLEX Administration in Germany

    A resolution was adopted authorizing the Delaware Board of Nursing to administer the NCLEX-PN in Germany in October 1991, 1992 and 1993.

  • Discontinuation of NCSBN Becoming its Own Test Service

    NCSBN acting as its own test service was considered informally by the organization around the same time computerized adaptive testing (CAT) was debated, to provide a comprehensive look at all potential testing-related opportunities. A resolution was passed so that NCSBN would not be distracted by doing two major testing activities (acting as its own test service and determining the feasibility of CAT) at the same time, thus allowing NCSBN to focus on the feasibility of CAT.

Awards

  • Member Board Award

    • Kentucky Board of Nursing
  • Meritorious Service Award

    • Eileen McQuaid Dvorak

Committees

  • Administration of Examination Committee
  • Bylaws Committee
  • Committee for Special Projects
  • Committee on Nominations
  • Examination Committee - Team 1
  • Examination Committee - Team 2
  • Finance Committee
  • National Licensee Database Committee
  • Task Force on Examinations for the Future

1988

Delegate Assembly Decisions

  • Opposition to the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Registered Care Technologist Proposal

    Member boards directed NCSBN to work cooperatively with AMA on issues related to nursing.

Awards

  • Member Board Award

    • Minnesota Board of Nursing
  • Meritorious Service Award

    • Merlyn Mary Maillian

Committees

  • Administration of Examination Committee
  • Bylaws Committee
  • Committee on Nominations
  • Committee for Special Projects
  • Examination Committee
  • Finance Committee
  • Nursing Practice and Standards Committee
  • Steering Committee, CST Project
  • Task Force on Examinations for the Future

1989

Delegate Assembly Decisions

  • Campaign Guidelines

    A resolution was passed that the campaign guidelines be repealed and that NCSBN take the necessary steps toward limiting campaigning to written information provided in the Book of Reports and at the Annual Meeting.

  • Continued Use of Industry Standards

    A resolution was passed that NCSBN continue to utilize generally accepted industry standards, such as the current guidelines of the American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association and the National Council on Measurement in Education, as applicable, in the preparation of valid, current and legally defensible licensure.

  • Nurse Aides

    A resolution was adopted that NCSBN and its member boards work cooperatively with federal and state agencies in the implementation of the mandates of PL 100-203 relating to the regulation of nurse aides. The Delegate Assembly directed the Nursing, Practice and Education (PR&E) Committee to develop standards for the regulation of nurse aides through the approval of programs preparing such nurse aides; that there be maintenance of a list or registry of those persons who have successfully completed an approved program; and that a competency evaluation is completed for inclusion in the NCSBN Model Nursing Practice Act and the Model Administrative Rules.

  • RN and PN Job Analyses

    Adopted a recommendation that NCSBN continue to conduct regularly scheduled RN and PN job analyses. Each job analysis shall be done no less frequently than every three years and rotated so that analyses do not occur simultaneously.

Awards

  • R. Louise McManus Award

    • Marianna Bacigalupo

Committees

  • Ad Hoc NACEP Committee
  • Administration of Examination Committee
  • Bylaws Committee
  • Committee for Special Projects
  • Committee on Nominations
  • Examination Committee
  • Finance Committee
  • Nurse Information System Committee
  • Nursing Practice & Education (NP&E) Committee
  • Subcommittee on PN/VN Competencies
  • Subcommittee on the Nurse Shortage
  • Subcommittee to Study Regulatory Models for Chemically Dependent Nurses

1990

Delegate Assembly Decisions

  • Foreign Nurse Credentialing

    A resolution was adopted that NCSBN, in consultation with CGFNS, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the Tri-Council, study the issues concerning foreign nurse credentialing and develop strategies to assist member boards in maintaining standards for public protection through the licensure process.

  • Model Nurse Aide Registration Act

    Adopted the Model Nurse Aide Registration Act.

  • Additions to the Model Nurse Practice Act

    Delegates requested a position paper on APRNs.

  • NCLEX Examination for Candidates with Disabilities

    The DA approved a policy/statement for modifications to the examination for candidates with disabilities.

Awards

  • Member Board Award

    • Texas Board of Nursing
  • Meritorious Service Award

    • Sister Lucie Leonard

Committees

  • Ad Hoc NACEP Committee
  • Administration of Examination Committee
  • Bylaws Committee
  • Committee for Special Projects
  • Examination Committee
  • Finance Committee
  • Job Analysis Monitoring Committee
  • Long Range Planning Committee
  • Nurse Information System Committee
  • Nursing Practice & Education (NP&E) Committee
  • Resolutions Committee
  • Steering Committee, CST Project
  • Subcommittee to Study Regulatory Models for Chemically Dependent Nurses
  • Subcommittee on Model Language for Nurse Aides
  • Third NCLEX Study Committee

1991

Awards

  • Member Board Award

    • Wisconsin Board of Nursing
  • Meritorious Service Award

    • Sharon Weisenbeck

Committees

  • Ad Hoc Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP) Committee
  • Bylaws Committee
  • Committee for Special Projects
  • Committee on Nominations
  • Communications Committee
  • Examination Committee
  • Finance Committee
  • Foreign Nurse Issues Committee
  • Job Analysis Monitoring Committee
  • Long Range Planning Committee
  • Nurse Information System Committee
  • Nursing Practice & Education (NP&E) Committee
  • Resolutions Committee
  • Steering Committee, CST Project
  • Subcommittee to Study Regulatory Models for Chemically Dependent Nurses
  • Subcommittee to Study the Regulation of Advanced Nursing Practice
  • Subcommittee to Study Regulatory Implications of Changing Models of Nursing Education

1992

Delegate Assembly Decisions

  • Additions to the Model Nurse Practice Act

    Delegates requested a position paper on APRNs.

  • NCLEX Examination for Candidates with Disabilities

    The DA approved a policy/statement for modifications to the examination for candidates with disabilities.

Awards

  • R. Louise McManus Award

    • Renatta S. Loquist

Committees

  • Bylaws Committee
  • Communications Committee
  • Examination Committee
  • Nursing Practice & Education (NP&E) Committee
  • Resolutions Committee
  • Subcommittee to Study Regulatory Models for Chemically Dependent Nurses
  • Subcommittee to Study the Regulation of Advanced Nursing Practice

1993

Delegate Assembly Decisions

  • Model Legislative Language for APRNs

    The Delegate Assembly adopted the Model Legislative Language and Model Administration Rules for Advanced Nursing Practice, to be incorporated into the newly adopted Model Nursing Practice Act and Model Nursing Administration Rules.

  • Regulation of APRN Practice

    The Delegate Assembly adopted the position paper on the regulation of APRNs and asked that collaboration continue with the American Nurses Association, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, American College of Nurse-Midwives and other nursing organizations, including nurse-certifying bodies.

Awards

  • Member Board Award

    • Virginia Board of Nursing
  • Meritorious Service Award

    • Charlie Dickson

Committees

  • Administration of Examination Committee
  • Bylaws Committee
  • CAT-PN Team
  • Committee on Nominations
  • Communications Committee
  • CST Steering Committee
  • Examination Committee
  • Examination Committee - Team 2
  • Finance Committee
  • Foreign Educated Nurse Credentialing Committee
  • Long Range Planning Committee
  • Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP) Task Force
  • Nurse Information System (NIS) Committee
  • Nursing Practice & Education (NP&E) Committee
  • Resolutions Committee/New Business
  • Subcommittee to Study the Regulation of Advanced Nursing Practice

1994

Delegate Assembly Decisions

  • Uniform APRN Licensure/Authority to Practice Requirements

    Position paper on licensure, recognition, certification and authority to practice for APRNs was developed and reported to the 1995 Delegate Assembly.

Awards

  • Member Board Award

    • Alaska Board of Nursing
  • Meritorious Service Award

    • Billie Haynes

Committees

  • Administration of Examination Committee
  • Bylaws Committee
  • Committee on Chemical Dependency Issues
  • Committee on Nominations
  • Communications Committee
  • CST Steering Committee
  • Disciplinary Case Analysis Focus Group
  • Examination Committee
  • Examination Committee - Team 2
  • Finance Committee
  • Foreign Educated Nurse Credentialing Committee
  • Literature Review Focus Group
  • Long Range Planning Committee
  • Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation Program (NACEP) Task Force
  • Nurse Information System (NIS) Committee
  • Nursing Practice & Education (NP&E) Committee
  • Resolutions Committee/New Business
  • Task Force to Implement Educational Programs for Disciplinary Investigators
  • Task Force to Develop Educational Programs for Nursing Education Program Surveyors