Crystal Tillman, DNP, CNP, RN, FRE
CEO, North Carolina of Nursing
Describe your professional, regulatory and community experience.
I am a highly experienced executive nursing leader with 43 years of experience as a registered nurse and nurse practitioner. My clinical background as an RN includes labor and delivery, pediatrics, and telemetry. I spent many years in nursing education as a Director of an ADN and BSN program. Since 1997, I have been working as a pediatric and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and still maintain both NP certifications and volunteer as an NP. My nursing journey brought me to nursing regulation in 2010 at the NCBON as an education consultant. Once I started working in nursing regulation, I found where my nursing talents could be the most beneficial and a place where I could impact nursing, not just statewide, but also nationally. After a couple of years, I was promoted to Manager of Education, then promoted to Director of Education and Practice. While working in education, I had the opportunity in 2019 to help Northern Mariana Islands solo nursing program. Dr. Nancy Spector suggested I travel to the Northern Marianas Islands to help the failing Northern Marianas College nursing program improve their NCLEX pass rate. It was a wonderful learning experience and an opportunity to share my nursing education knowledge with the CNMI Board, legislature, and nursing program. In 2020, I became the CEO of the NCBON, right during COVID. Currently, I remain the CEO of NCBON which includes 188,700 licensed nurses, serving 14 Board members and 54 Board staff. I have served on numerous state workforce, rural, mental health, and nursing committees.
Detail your involvement with NCSBN (e.g., attending NCSBN meetings/conferences, subject matter expert panelist, participation on networking calls and NCSBN committee member) that make you a strong fit for the BOD:
NCSBN provided me with many opportunities early in my nursing regulatory career, especially in the areas of education, practice, and APRN practice. I completed the NCSBN Fellowship of Regulatory Excellence (FRE) focusing on Just Culture in nursing regulation which was based on my DNP project. I have served on the NCLEX Examinations Committee (NEC) since 2014 as either a committee member, consultant, and Chair of the NEC for the past three years. My term will end in fall 2026. In 2024, I was elected to the NLC Executive Committee and re-elected for a second term. I actively participate in all Executive Officer conferences, meetings and events to increase my regulatory knowledge and network with other Executive Officers. Virtual meetings include education, practice, APRN, discipline, government relations and policy staff. Fortunately, I attend all NCSBN Midyear and Annual meetings which allows me to increase my regulatory knowledge and the ability to network with my colleagues.
Detail the characteristics that make you a strong fit to fulfill the responsibilities of the BOD:
My interest in joining the NCSBN Board of Directors as a Director-at-Large, follows 16 years of interaction with NCSBN. As an experienced leader, I vow to work with my colleagues through effective communication, integrity, and a clear vision for the NCSBN Strategic Plan. My attributes include being accountable, empathetic, and adaptable, while fostering a positive attitude and making decisive, ethical decisions. In 2014, I was fortunate to get accepted to the NCLEX Examination Committee (NEC). Since 2014, I have been part of the NEC as either a committee member, consultant or now as Chair. My three-year term as Chair will end in fall 2026. It was a great opportunity to take a deep dive behind the NCLEX curtain and learn the details of the NCLEX design, psychometrics, and safety of the examination. I was able to go from start to finish with the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN), clinical judgment, witness the successful NGN launch, and now the NEC is currently working on remote proctoring. It has been rewarding to receive feedback from candidates on the case studies and interactive examination, and to know I had some part in the process. My experience at the NCBON for the past 16 years has given me a solid foundation of nursing regulation and leadership skills. Throughout my nursing career I have developed a dearth and range of knowledge, skill and competencies which would complement a director at large role.
Describe how you would contribute to NCSBN’s achievement of the strategic initiative statement: “We protect the public and the trust in nursing by providing innovative regulatory solutions, insights and expertise.”
The NCSBN Strategic Plan for 2026-2028 is an inspiring and ambitious plan which aligns well with my long standing professional and personal commitment to protecting and acting in the interests of public protection. As a director-at-large position my contributions would be to bring my regulatory leadership and governance experience to work with the Board of Director colleagues to improve public protection in nursing regulation. I believe we can develop innovative solutions for some of the most complex public protection challenges before us. I possess a willingness to share knowledge and experiences as we work together to improve nursing regulation. Innovative regulatory solutions: I would support modernization of nursing regulation by helping design policies and tools that keep pace with evolving healthcare delivery. Innovation here means not just new technology, but smarter, more responsive regulation that reduces risk to patients while supporting nurses in practice. Insights: Protecting the public requires anticipating risk, not just reacting to it. I would leverage data analytics to identify trends in licensure, discipline, and workforce movement, helping regulators make proactive decisions. I would prioritize transparency, consistency, and fairness in regulatory processes, ensuring that decisions are clearly communicated and grounded in evidence. By aligning innovation with accountability, I would help ensure that regulatory evolution strengthens—rather than compromises—public protection. Expertise: NCSBN’s influence depends on the strength of its partnerships. I would contribute by engaging with boards of nursing, educators, and healthcare organizations to share best practices and align standards. This includes translating complex regulatory information into practical guidance and supporting education initiatives that reinforce safe, competent practice. I would also stay current on emerging healthcare trends to ensure regulatory approaches remain relevant and evidence based. In short, I would contribute by combining forward-thinking solutions, rigorous analysis, and collaborative leadership to help NCSBN remain a trusted authority in nursing regulation while adapting to a rapidly changing healthcare landscape.