KBN Executive Director, Sharon M. Weisenbeck Retires 25 Years of Service

Kentucky Nurse, Jul-Sep 2005

Sharon M. Weisenbeck, MS, RN, Executive Director for the Kentucky Board of Nursing retired on May 31, 2005, after 25 years with the Kentucky Board of Nursing.

Sharon began her career, as executive director, with the Kentucky Board of Nursing on February 1, 1980. During the past 25 years, Sharon has worked with 76 board members and 23 board presidents. She has overseen a major expansion of office operations, programs and services, and staff.

Highlights of some of the historical events that have occurred under Sharon's exceedingly capable leadership include the following. In 1980, mandatory continuing education was implemented. Kentucky was the first state to expand continuing competency requirements along with mandatory continuing education in 2000. In 1982, mandatory reporting of nursing law violations was required, and mandatory APUMP registration was implemented. In 1987 the board became the Inaugural recipient of the NCSBN Member Board Award. The board's 75th Anniversary was celebrated, and the history of the board from 1914-1989 was published in 1987. Both the nursing incentive scholarship fund program, and the legislated AIDS education requirement were implemented in 1990. In 1994 NCLEX, using CAT, was first administered, ending the era of paper and pencil licensure testing. In 1996, prescriptive authority was granted to ARNPs, and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program was established. Kentucky was the first state to regulate the educational preparation and governmental credentialing of SANE nurses. In 1999, LPN licensure renewal applications were processed using imaging, scanning and workflow technology. In 2003, the Kentucky Board of Nursing had its first online renewal for LPN nurses. In 2004, KBN processed it's first on line renewal for RNs, receiving over 14,000 applications online. Also in 2004, KBN began the challenging process to implement the Nurse Licensure Compact plan for Kentucky. In 2005, administrative ... regulations for integrated clinical practicum and clinical internships were approved for implementation of initial competency requirements for licensure.

Sharon has achieved many accomplishments during her tenure with the Kentucky Board of Nursing. In 1982, Sharon was elected as secretary of the National Council for State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) and in 1984 she was elected President. Her main focus at NCSBN was to achieve a broader base. of service to the membership, nursing, and the general public. Sharon spearheaded the first independent survey by NCSBN in order to gauge the needs of the membership. In response to the survey, the development of a nurse licensee database was initiated. Prior to 1985, no nursing organization or government entity had attempted to track nurses licensed to practice in the US. In 1991, Sharon received the NCSBN meritorious service award. In 1999, Spalding University honored Sharon with the Lifetime Achievement Award. In August of 2003, , Sharon received the National Council of State Boards of Nursing's most prestigious award, the R. Louise McManus Award. This award is given to exceptional individuals who have made sustained and significant contributions through the highest commitment and dedication in the area of improvement to nursing regulation that impacts the health and healthcare of the community, enhancement of the image of professional nursing, and management of nursing resources. Sharon has also been recognized numerous times by Kentucky Governors for her services to the Commonwealth.

Sharon is renowned for professionalism, her visionary approach to the ever changing regulatory world, and her determination to overcome obstacles to public protection.

The Kentucky Board of Nursing has flourished during the past 25 years under the superb leadership of Sharon Weisenbeck. On behalf of the nurses of Kentucky, we offer our heartfelt thanks for the significant contributions and dedication to the Kentucky Board of Nursing and the citizens of the Commonwealth. A retirement celebration was held on Wednesday, June 29th at the Water Tower on the Ohio River. Tributes to Sharon's service were given by Dr. Jimmy Isenberg, President of KBN; Susan Pohl, President of KNA; Kathy Apple, Executive Director of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing and Sister Margaret Seasly, President of the Kentucky State Association of Licensed Practical Nurses.

The Board thanks the following sponsors of the event:

Kentucky Council for Licensed Practical Nurses

Kentucky Council for Associate Degree Nursing

Kentucky Council for Baccalaureate & Higher Degree Learning

Kentucky Association of Homes & Services For the Aged (KAHSA)

Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities (KAHCF)

Kentucky State Association of Licensed Practical Nurses

Kentucky Organization of Nurse Leaders

Kentucky Home Health Association

Kentucky Hospital Association

Kentucky Nurses Association

We wish you the very best in future endeavors! Congratulations, Sharon!