CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - May 28, 2013) - The National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc. (NCSBN^®), www.ncsbn.org, will recognize its dedicated and exceptional membership and guests at its annual awards ceremony during the NCSBN Annual Meeting and Delegate Assembly, to be held in Providence, R.I., Aug. 14-16, 2013.

Specific award recipients include:

Betsy Houchen, JD, MS, RN, executive director, Ohio Board of Nursing, will be honored with the prestigious R. Louise McManus Award. Individuals receiving this award have made sustained and lasting significant contributions through their deep commitment and dedication to the purposes and mission of NCSBN.

Constance Kalanek, PhD, RN, FRE, executive director, North Dakota State Board of Nursing, will receive the Meritorious Service Award, which is presented to a board or staff member of a member board for positive impact and significant contributions to the purposes of NCSBN.

Susan L. Woods, PhD, RN, FAAN, commission member, Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission, will receive the Exceptional Contribution Award, which is given for significant contribution by a board of nursing (BON) staff member who does not serve as an executive officer or a board member who is not the current board president.

Lorinda Inman, MSN, RN, former executive director, Iowa Board of Nursing will receive the Distinguished Achievement Award, which is given to an individual whose contributions or accomplishment has impacted NCSBN's mission and goals.

Linda R. Rounds, PhD, FNP, RN, FAANP, former board president, Texas Board of Nursing, will receive the
Elaine Ellibee Award that is granted to a member who has served as a board president and who has made significant contributions to NCSBN.

The North Dakota Board of Nursing will be awarded the Regulatory Achievement Award that recognizes the member board that has made an identifiable, significant contribution to the purpose of NCSBN in promoting public policy related to the safe and effective practice of nursing in the interest of public welfare.

In addition, service awards will be given to the following executive officers of BONs:

Five Years
Julia George, MSN, RN, FRE, executive director, North Carolina Board of Nursing

15 Years
Myra Broadway, JD, MS, RN, executive director, Maine State Board of Nursing
Constance Kalanek, PhD, RN, FRE, executive director, North Dakota State Board of Nursing
Paula Meyer, MSN, RN, executive director, Washington State Nursing Care Quality
Assurance Commission

25 Years
Lorinda Inman, MSN, RN, former executive director, Iowa Board of Nursing
Barbara Morvant, MN, RN, executive director, Louisiana State Board of Nursing

The following BONs are celebrating 100 years of nursing regulation in 2013:
Arkansas State Board of Nursing
College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba
Florida Board of Nursing
Kansas State Board of Nursing
Montana State Board of Nursing

Founded March 15, 1978, as an independent not-for-profit organization, NCSBN was created to lessen the burdens of state governments and bring together boards of nursing (BONs) to act and counsel together on matters of common interest. NCSBN's membership is comprised of the BONs in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories -- American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands. There are also 12 associate members that are either nursing regulatory bodies or empowered regulatory authorities from other countries or territories.

NCSBN Member Boards protect the public by ensuring that safe and competent nursing care is provided by licensed nurses. These BONs regulate more than 3 million licensed nurses, the second largest group of licensed professionals in the U.S.

Mission: NCSBN provides education, service and research through collaborative leadership to promote evidence-based regulatory excellence for patient safety and public protection.

The statements and opinions expressed are those of NCSBN and not the individual member state or territorial boards of nursing.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc.
111 E. Wacker Drive, Suite 2900
Chicago, IL 60601-4277