BRN executive officer urges evidence-based limits on forcing nurses back into direct patient care

The Board of Registered Nursing's Intervention Evaluation Committee on Oct. 29, 2025, heard an update from Executive Officer Loretta Melby on reviews of IEC recommendations that require nurses to return to direct patient care or to demonstrate the ability to pass narcotics as a condition of completing the intervention program. Melby said the board asked her in August to do a "deep dive" into such recommendations and into cases extended beyond three years.

Melby, the board's executive officer, told the committee that her review was intended "not to overturn the request, but to see if there was evidence to support that." She said the board's motion allows IECs to require direct patient care or narcotic-passing only "if there was evidence of additional patient safety" concerns. "We can't make them go to direct patient care," Melby said, "unless you have evidence to say that you really believe that I'm gonna be at risk to the public."

Why it matters: IEC…