MNA Nominates Three Registered Nurses for Appointment to the Board of Registration in Nursing

The MNA Board of Directors has nominated three members for appointment to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.  According to the Nurse Practice Act, the nursing organizations in this state are to forward names to the Governor and the Administration to consider when vacancies exists at the BORN.  

The MNA developed an Interview Panel, chaired by Linda Watson, board member, to select potential nominees.  “Every structural unit of MNA was a member of this prestigious interview panel.  The panel was very deliberative in its consideration of the three candidates whom we nominated.  In addition, the MNA is lobbying to assure that their candidacy is considered”, noted Linda Watson.  

The Three Candidates are: 

• Maureen McDonald, RN Representing Associate Degree Education
• Carolyn O’Brien, RN Representing Community Care and 
• Leslie Sullivan, RN representing Nursing Administration.

Maureen McDonald, is an instructor at Massasoit Community College teaching Senior Level Medical Surgical Nursing Theory and Practice.  As a graduate of U Mass Boston, in 1990 and a PHD Candidate at UMass Boston, she brings extensive clinical and teaching experience to the BORN.   In answering a question asked of all candidates: "What contributions would you anticipate making while a member of the BORN?”  she noted, “The environment of health care is changing rapidly.  The expansion of health care workers, their roles and fewer resources is making significant change in the provision of health care and nursing care.   Protecting the health, safety and welfare of patients involves ensuring the safety of this environment.  I would hope to be able to offer insight into these issues.  I am interested in the pursuit of nursing research that looks at quality of care from public databases.”

Carolyn “Lyn” O’Brien is currently an adult nurse practitioner with many endeavors in pursuit.  She is a clinical specialist with academic appointment as adjunct faculty Northeastern University.  She is also involved in clinical research with the Home Health Visiting Nurse in Waltham. As a graduate of Salve Regina University with her BS in Health Care Administration, her BSN from the same institution and her Master’s from Northeastern University in Community Health Nursing, she brings education and clinical care into a mutual role.  Her emphasis on research, is also an advantage. In answering the same question asked of all candidates: "What contributions would you anticipate making while a member of the BORN?”, she responded  “I am firmly dedicated to nursing and as such, to the promotion of the profession of nursing.  It is this general tenet that has guided my career in nursing.  It is clear that there is a continued need for strong voices in nursing to education the public, other health care professionals, legislators and those already licensed in nursing about the professional role of a registered nurse.  The contributions I anticipate to make to the profession of nursing while a member of the BORN is to guide policy-makers and general proposed regulations in appropriate direction that maintains the profession and does not challenge the role of the professional organizations such as the MNA and ANA.”  Lyn is an active member of MNA serving on the Safe Care Campaign Community Health Nursing Task Force. 

Leslie Sullivan serves as the Director of Nursing and Inpatient Unit at Quincy Mental Health Center.  As a nurse practitioner she too, brings both clinical and administrative skills to bear.  She received her BSN from Boston College and her MSN from Pace University in New York.  In addition Leslie has a Master of Arts in Health Care Administration from Framingham State College. In answering the question asked of all candidates: "What contributions would you anticipate making while a member of the BORN?” she noted, “It is imperative that the Board of Registration in Nursing, which holds responsibility for licensure and governs the practice of nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is acutely aware of the difficult issues facing nurses in their daily practice.  This awareness must result in a change in the face of the BORN, from punitive to supportive, from regressive to progressive, from employer-focused to nurse and patient focused.”  As an active MNA member, Leslie is currently the vice chair for the Cabinet on Labor Relations, and the Chair of NursePLAN.  

It is with the highest of recommendations and the greatest pleasure that MNA endorses these candidates and seeks their appointment to the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing.  The Governor will make the appointment in conjunction with the Division of Registration  and the Office of Consumer Affairs.