Dear OSBN Board, staff, and community partners,     

As we bid farewell to the past year, a mix of emotions and feelings may arise. We've faced challenges, celebrated successes, and learned valuable lessons. I want to acknowledge the hurdles we've overcome and the hard work each of you has put in. This transition is a time to reflect on our journey and look forward to future opportunities. I want to thank the OSBN Board, staff, and community partners for your unwavering commitment and dedication in 2024. It was instrumental in upholding our mission, vision, and values.  

In 2024, the public service representatives that make up the licensing department achieved a significant milestone by processing 18,223 new applications. OSBN is processing applications within three business days of receiving all required documentation. The Law Enforcement Data System team stayed current on fingerprints to ensure criminal background checks never hold up an application. Last year, as I went into my fourth month, I sent out a New Year message and mentioned that we were gearing up for our contact center to kick off in 2024 to provide timely, compassionate support to the community we serve and protect. Well, they have answered just over 13,400 calls during 2024. This accomplishment alone has improved OSBN's relationship with the public as we communicate with them daily.  The licensing staff continues communicating through our messaging center and has sent over 51,000 messages to applicants and licensees.   

The policy analysts answered hundreds of practice-related questions to support the thousands of nurses in the state in practicing safely. Policy analysts also presented many divisions of the Nurse Practice Act to the Board as we work to update our rules. This includes work done pre- and post-board meetings, where policy analysts lead dozens of rule advisory committee meetings to collaborate with external partners and then deliver updates to the community through presentations.     

The IT department processed approximately 800 staff support request tickets over the year. The IT team is also busy modernizing how OSBN meets its strategic goals, ensuring our staff can provide excellent customer service to the public we protect.    

The investigation department received 1,796 complaints, 200 more than in 2023. Investigators brought 880 completed investigations before the Board for review. Of the 880 investigations,114 ended in discipline. The department is hard at work on hundreds of active investigations, and we look forward to adding investigators in 2025 to improve the timeliness of investigations.    

The compliance specialists monitored approximately 100 licensees on probation and are working to update policies as we prepare to reengage in HPSP in 2025. This will allow qualifying nurses to enter an alternative discipline program instead of probation, aligning with our updated mission.    

Also, in 2024, OSBN's accomplishments include:     

• Completing a DEIA plan and setting up a DEIA committee reinforcing our commitment to these critical values.     

• Voting to reengage in the Health Professional Service Program in 2025.   

• Completing a listening tour of the rural parts of the state.    

• Beginning training on trauma-informed investigations, customer service, and team building.   

• The Senate confirmation of five new Board Members in February.  

• Establishing a policy and procedure committee to update internal policies collaboratively and transparently.    

• Transitioning to Gov Delivery to improve communication with every licensee and community partner, launching a monthly electronic news bulletin.    

• Advocating for staff equity by reclassifying positions.    

• Preparing for the 2025 legislative session to update our antiquated statutes and increase budget expenditure.   

• Adding Mental Health Resources for nurses to the website.    

• Approving the removal of intrusive mental health questions from our licensure applications, which will take effect in 2025.     

• Beginning work to build desk manuals and a new employee orientation. 

• Representing OSBN at local and national conferences, including the National Organization of Alternative Programs, National Council of State Board of Nursing, Council on Licensing Enforcement and Regulation, and Washington Board of Nursing Wellness Conference.  

• Completing the 25-27 Budget for consideration by the Oregon Legislature. This meticulously prepared budget reflects our commitment to effectively using financial resources and will guide our operations in the upcoming years.   

OSBN also updated the mission and added a vision while maintaining the core values the agency incorporated years ago. Over the next year, OSBN will focus even more on incorporating our values into our organizational practices, including hiring, onboarding, communicating, decision-making, and public interaction.     

The leadership team will center our values as we focus on culture, which is how work happens between people. As a reminder, the following are our organizational values:    

• Integrity: We inspire trust and excellence through professionalism and accountability.     

• Collaboration: We are inclusive and respectfully accept and contribute valuable ideas to achieve goals.     

• Stewardship: We serve the public through responsiveness and effective use of financial, physical, and people resources.    

• Simplicity: We reduce barriers to clear communication and streamlined processes.     

• Innovation: We empower change in teamwork and transparency.    

The relentless efforts of the OSBN Board, staff, and community partners have not gone unnoticed. Your hard work and dedication have significantly improved our operations over the past year, reinforcing the value of your contributions to our mission and strategic plans. I look forward to the work we will accomplish together in 2025.    

Thank you for being so dedicated, and Happy New Year.