Board Philosophy

The Maine State Board of Nursing believes that:

Nursing is a service that evolves from the health care needs of society, and that consumer participation in the regulatory process is valuable in assuring greater responsiveness to the public's needs.

Nursing regulation should exist solely to protect the public health, safety and welfare; should be at the least restrictive level to ensure public safety; and should be administered in a cost effective and cost conscious manner.

Consumers have a right to expect practitioners of nursing to meet ethical, professional and legal standards.

Consumers of nursing services can best be protected through the appropriate use of the Board's authority to investigate complaints, conduct hearings and impose sanctions.

Protection of the public includes dissemination and provision of information about disciplinary activity within the jurisdiction and across jurisdictional boundaries.

The practitioner of nursing must accept responsibility for maintaining competency and currency by one's individual commitment to continuing education.