2-15-1734. Board of nursing. (1) There is a board of nursing.

(2) The board consists of nine members appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate. The members are:

(a) five registered professional nurses, of whom at least one must have had at least 5 years in administrative, teaching, or supervisory experience in one or more schools of nursing, at least one must be an advanced practice registered nurse, at least one must be engaged in nursing practice in a rural health care facility, and at least one must be currently engaged in the administration, supervision, or provision of direct client care. Each member who is a registered professional nurse must:

(i) be a graduate of an approved school of nursing;

(ii) be a licensed registered professional nurse in this state;

(iii) have had at least 5 years' experience in nursing following graduation; and

(iv) be currently engaged in the practice of professional nursing and have practiced for at least 5 years.

(b) two practical nurses. Each must:

(i) be a graduate of a school of practical nursing;

(ii) be a licensed practical nurse in this state;

(iii) have had at least 5 years' experience as a practical nurse; and

(iv) be currently engaged in the practice of practical nursing and have practiced for at least 5 years.

(c) two public members who are not medical practitioners, involved in the practice of nursing or employment of nursing, or administrators of Montana health care facilities.

(3) All members must have been residents of this state for at least 1 year before appointment and must be citizens of the United States.

(4) All members shall serve staggered 4-year terms, and a member may not be appointed for more than two consecutive terms. The governor may remove a member from the board for neglect of a duty required by law or for incompetency or unprofessional or dishonorable conduct.

(5) The board is allocated to the department for administrative purposes only as prescribed in 2-15-121.