DATE AND PLACE OF MEETING
CALL TO ORDER
ROLL CALL
STAFF/LEGAL COUNSEL PRESENT
DECLARATION OF QUORUM
On March 21, 2025, the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners met at the New Orleans Marriott Metairie at Lakeway, 3838 N. Causeway Blvd., Jefferson Ballroom, Metairie, Louisiana 70002.
The meeting was called to order on March 21, 2025, at approximately 9:41 a.m., with Myra Collins, Chairwoman, presiding.
| MEMBERS | |
| Patricia Artieta, Consumer | Present |
| Celeste Cogswell, LPN | Absent |
| Myra Collins, LPN Chairwoman of the Board | Present |
| Roberta Connelley, RN | Absent |
| Janie Cypret, LPN | Present |
| Gwendolyn Dunn, LPN | Present |
| Barbara Gibbs, RN Secretary/Treasurer of the Board | Absent |
| Matthew McQueen, MD | Present |
| Candace Melancon, LPN | Absent |
| Albertha Prince, LPN | Present |
| Rodney Tregle, MD | Present |
| STAFF | |
| Christina Costanza | Present |
| John Becknell | Present |
| Dana Dazet | Present |
| Kristen Hill | Present |
| Kerri Palmer | Present |
| Jennifer Santangelo | Present |
| Mary Wooten | Present |
The Chair declared that a quorum was present.
WELCOME Patricia Artieta welcomed the audience.
MOTION TO ADOPT MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 22,
2024, BOARD MEETING
Gwendolyn Dunn moved that the minutes of the board meeting of November 22, 2024, be adopted as printed in the book of reports.
SECOND: Prince YEAS: 7
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed.
REPORT OF COMPLIANCE DEPARTMENT
SUMMARY OF COMPLIANCE REPORTS
John Becknell presented the summary report from the compliance department of new reports received and action taken from 11/1/2024 – 2/28/2025.
No action was needed or taken on these matters
REPORT OF THE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
PNPROGRAM STATUS OF ALL PN SCHOOLS
INITIAL ACCREDITATION
Christina Costanza presented a summary status of all practical nursing programs, reporting on current cohorts, enrollment numbers, graduating classes, and the number of students that have successfully completed the program from each campus. As of February 19, 2025, there are currently 54 schools with 112 ongoing classes and 2,295 enrolled students.
No action was needed or taken.
Programs on initial accreditation include the following:
- Holmes Healthcare Training Center – New Orleans Campus
- Medical Training College – Baton Rouge Campus
PROVISIONAL ACCREDITATION
PROGRAM CLOSURE(S)
NEW PROGRAM REQUEST(S)
PROGRAM(S) CITED FOR NON COMPLIANCE
NCLEX-PNTM
Programs on provisional accreditation include the following:
- Williams Technical College – Houma Campus Status: Noncompliance – NCLEX scores September 2023 – 73.68% pass rate
- Louisiana Delta Community College – Bastrop Campus
Status: Noncompliance – NCLEX scores August 2022 – 72.73% pass rate
May 2024 – 75% pass rate No action was needed or taken.
There were no program closures to report.
There were no new program requests.
The following programs were cited for violation of board policy upon review of the Annual Report:
- Blue Cliff College – Metairie, LA (Violation of LAC)
Baton Rouge Community College – Baton Rouge, LA, was placed on the agenda as receiving a notice of compliance in error.
Cristina Costanza presented information concerning the NCLEX-PN TM pass rates for all Louisiana writers and repeat candidates for 1/1/2024 – 12/31/2024.
Year to date, NCLEX-PN pass rate for Louisiana was 91.57%, with a national average of 88.38%.
No action was needed or taken.
REPORT OF ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ACTUAL BUDGET FY 2025
John Becknell presented the fiscal year to date operating budget for fiscal year 2025.
No action was needed or taken.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO OPERATING BUDGET FY 2025
John Becknell presented the proposed amendments to the operating budget for fiscal year 2025.
Dr. Tregle moved to approve the proposed budget for fiscal year 2025 as printed in the book of reports.
SECOND: Dunn YEAS: 7
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed.
REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
COMMITTEE UPDATES
NURSE LICENSURE COMPACT (NLC) TRAINING
DATA OF ACTIVE LPNS BY PARISH
- Nursing Supply & Demand Council
Nursing Supply and Demand Council has conducted studies on nurse retention. A recent workforce study conducted surveyed Chief Nursing Officers and staff nurses to increase recruitment and retention of nurses. The Health Care Employment Reinvestment Opportunity (H.E.R.O.) with the Louisiana Department of Health raised 15 million dollars to aid healthcare training, education programs, and healthcare industry partners meet the growing employment demands for nursing, allied health professionals and other high demand health care providers.
Christina Costanza reported that LSBPNE hosted a two-day training with director, Jim Puente, and legal consultant, Fred Knight, from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) concerning the multistate license application procedure and handling of compliance issues with multistate licenses.
Christina Costanza presented data showing the total number of active LPNs by parish for the end of the 2025 renewal season. The total number of active LPNs as of2/25/2025 was 21,190. No action was needed or taken.
LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS DISCLOSURE STATEMENTS
Christina Costanza presented and discussed required information needed and deadlines for turning in Personal Financial Disclosure Statements (Tier 2.1) with all board members.
Patricia Artieta moved that all board members received a copy and were presented with the required information needed and deadlines for turning in Personal Financial Disclosure Statements (Tier 2.1).
SECOND: Cypret YEAS: 7
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed.
CIVIL SERVICE ETHICS, SEXUAL HARASSMENT, AND CYBER SECURITY TRAINING
DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE
Christina Costanza reported to all board members that the civil service training concerning ethics sexual harassment, and cyber security must be completed every calendar year.
Gwendolyn Dunn moved that all board members were presented with the requirements for completion of civil service training concerning ethics, sexual harassment, and cyber security.
SECOND: Prince YEAS: 7
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed.
Christina Costanza presented the driver authorization form and the required civil service defensive driving training requirements to all board members.
Gwendolyn Dunn moved that all board members were presented with the requirements for completion of the defensive driving course.
SECOND: Prince YEAS: 7
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
FUTURE MEETING DATES
PUBLIC COMMENT
MOTION TO ENTER EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION TO EXIT EXECUTIVE SESSION
There was no unfinished business.
There was no new business that was discussed.
The proposed board meeting dates for the next board meeting are July 17 and 18, 2025.
No action was needed or taken on this matter.
There were no requests for public comment.
Myra Collins moved that the board convene in executive session for reports on litigation; and consideration of reports of the hearing officer related to cases before the board for disciplinary action against licensees and applicants for licensure, and personnel matters.
SECOND: Prince
A roll call vote was taken.
YEAS: Artieta, Collins, Cypret, Dunn, McQueen, Prince, Tregle
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed and the board went into executive session at 10:03 a.m.
Gwendolyn Dunn moved that the board exit executive session. SECOND: Prince
A roll call vote was taken.
YEAS: Artieta, Collins, Cypret, Dunn, McQueen, Prince, Tregle
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed and the board came out of executive session at 11:09 a.m.
MOTIONS RELATED TO DISCIPLINE
Janie Cypret moved that in the case of (Nicolette Duckless) License #20130011,the board adopt the hearing officer’s findings of fact and conclusions of law without exception and that the respondent’s practical nursing license be placed on probationfor no less than two (2) yearswith the stipulations as written in the board order.
SECOND: Dunn YEAS: 7
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed.
Janie Cypret moved that in the case of (Candice Edwards) S.S. ending with 1280, the board adopt the hearing officer’s Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law without exception and that the applicant for licensure be denied licensure in the state of Louisiana; including the privilege to practice on any multi state license.
SECOND: Dunn YEAS: 7
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed.
Dr. Tregle moved that the following consent agreements be accepted by the board without exception:
| S.S. ending with #4499 | Abram, Jasmine |
| S.S. ending with #4602 | Albert, Shakayla |
| S.S. ending with #0172 | Alexander, Melvin |
| License #760829 | Allen, Sandra |
| Mississippi Multistate #340377 | Andrews, Jasmine |
| S.S. ending with #4937 | Atkins, Jada |
| S.S. ending with #2316 | Bentley, Brieon |
| S.S. ending with #6014 | Branch, Chancellor |
| License #990222 | Brewer, Misha |
| License #30004525 | Brinker, Jasmine |
| S.S. ending with #4365 | Brooks, Jinel |
| S.S. ending with #7821 | Brownell, Courtney |
| License #30004664 | Brumfield, Zakysha |
| License #20102587 | Bushnell, Brandy |
| S.S. ending with #4588 | Cleland, Breanna |
| S.S. ending with #0989 | Davis, Chianti |
| License #230546 | Davis, Julie |
| S.S. ending with #5683 | Denard, Deridea |
| S.S. ending with #5089 | Dutreil, Michelle |
| License #20170717 | Eugene, Demetria |
| License #30004140 | Fland, Tatiana |
| License #290035 | Floyd, Amy |
| S.S. ending with #6090 | Foreman, Ambre |
| License #20160037 | Grantham, Anna |
| License #20120413 | Harmon, Harriet |
| License #30003135 | Harrell, Tia_juan |
| S.S. ending with #4098 | Harris, Hilary |
| S.S. ending with #9748 | Hill, Esoterica |
| License #20140378 | Hudson, Marcy |
| S.S. ending with #6864 | Jackson, Ayana |
| S.S. ending with #1845 | James, Jasmine |
| S.S. ending with #1121 | Jeff, Jasmine |
| S.S. ending with #8588 | Johnson, Jamila |
| S.S. ending with #6311 | Keller, Kiera |
| S.S. ending with #2673 | Lafleur, Virginia |
| License #220278 | Larkin, Tiffany |
| S.S. ending with #6887 | Martin, Derione |
| License #20170334 | McKinley, Sheraunte’ |
| S.S. ending with #0590 | Mitchell, Sherineka |
| License #30002463 | Morrow, Myra |
| S.S. ending ·with #6191 | Muhammad, Cherika |
| S.S. ending with #1435 | Norris, Ieshea |
| License #950544 | Sanders, Michele |
| S.S. ending with #1245 | Senegal, Saharron |
| S.S. ending with #8105 | Simon, Theresa |
| License #20130279 | Singleton, Resena |
| License #230778 | Smith, Evelyn |
| License #980921 | Strawder, Linda |
| License #30004406 | Tanner, Meagan |
| License #280261 | Thomas, Jennifer |
| License #250966 | Thompson, Trischell |
| S.S. ending with #9613 | Thrasher, Amanda |
| S.S. ending with #8797 | Toups, Jolane |
| License #20150637 | Vinet, Katelyn |
| License #20121200 | Warren, Cherie |
| S.S. ending with #3015 | Whitley, Jalisia |
| License #30002580 | Williams, Jordan |
| S.S. endine: with #4674 | Williams, Lamar |
| S.S. endine: with #5656 | Williams, Nikei’ahia |
| Virgina Multistate#002097045 | Williams, Sheneika |
| License #980529 | Wine:er, Kelli |
| S.S. endine: with #0544 | Wrie:ht, Clavton |
SECOND: Cypret YEAS: 7
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
Albertha Prince moved that the meeting be adjourned.
SECOND: Dunn YEAS: 7
NAYS: 0
ABSTENTIONS: 0
The motion passed, and the meeting adjourned at 11:16 a.m.
1Yl-CoM::lLPJ
Myron Collins, LPN, Chairwoman