Tammy Vaughn, MSN, RN, CNE

Assistant Director, Education & Licensing, Arkansas State Board of Nursing

My nursing career began more than 30 years ago and has been dedicated to advancing safe nursing practice, high-quality education, and effective regulation. For the past 15 years, I have been actively involved in nursing regulation with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing. I currently serve as Assistant Director of Education and Licensure, where I oversee key regulatory functions that support safe entry into practice and promote the continued competence of the nursing workforce. Prior to this role, I served as Program Coordinator for Nursing Education, working closely with nursing education programs across the state to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and to support the delivery of high-quality nursing education. This work strengthened my understanding of the critical relationship between education, licensure, and public protection. I also have experience with the rulemaking process after legislative changes. I have helped develop and implement Board Rules by turning new laws into clear, practical policies that protect the public while supporting an efficient licensure process. This work has given me a strong understanding of how legislation, regulation, and nursing practice all connect. In addition to my regulatory experience, I spent nine years teaching in a registered nursing program and two years teaching in a practical nursing program. This experience provided valuable insight into student preparation, program operations, and the challenges faculty face in preparing the next generation of nurses. Earlier in my career, I practiced for six years as a maternal–newborn nurse, gaining a strong clinical foundation through direct patient care. Through my combined clinical, educational, and regulatory experience, I bring a well-rounded perspective to nursing regulation. My career has been dedicated to strengthening nursing education, supporting sound regulatory policy, and advancing the mission of protecting the public through safe nursing practice.

My involvement with the National Council State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) spans more than 15 years and reflects a strong commitment to advancing the organization’s mission, strategic initiative statement and objectives, and supporting nursing regulation across jurisdictions. I currently serve as a Director-at-Large on the NCSBN Board of Directors, where I have been able to contribute to strategic discussions and policy decisions that impact nursing regulation nationwide. Prior to joining the Board of Directors, I served on several key NCSBN committees and subcommittees. I was a member of the NCLEX Examination Committee (NEC) from 2011 to 2016, where I participated in oversight of the NCLEX examination and contributed to discussions that help ensure the exam accurately measures entry-level nursing competence. I also served on the NCLEX Item Review Subcommittee (NIRSC) from 2017 to 2020 and again from 2022 to 2024, reviewing and evaluating examination items to maintain the validity and reliability of the NCLEX. In addition, I have supported NCSBN governance through service on the 2021 and 2023 Election Committees and served as Chair of the 2022 Credentials Committee. These roles provided opportunities to contribute to the integrity and transparency of NCSBN’s leadership and governance processes. Beyond formal committee service, I have actively participated in NCSBN Knowledge Network and operations calls focused on nursing education, NCLEX, and the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC). These forums have allowed me to stay engaged with regulatory colleagues across the country, share best practices, and remain informed about emerging issues affecting nursing regulation. With the support of my board leadership, I have also regularly attended NCSBN Board of Directors meetings, Annual and Midyear Meetings, Leadership and Policy Conferences, Scientific Symposiums, Disciplinary Case Management Conferences, and other NCSBN events. These experiences have deepened my understanding of NCSBN’s programs, research, and strategic priorities, and have strengthened my ability to contribute effectively as a member of the Board of Directors.

My professional background, regulatory experience, and long-standing involvement with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) have prepared me well to fulfill the responsibilities of the Board of Directors. As a current Director-at-Large, serving for nearly two years, I have gained valuable insight into the governance, strategic priorities, and collaborative decision-making necessary to continue advancing the vision of regulatory excellence. This experience has strengthened my ability to contribute thoughtfully to Board discussions while keeping the organization’s mission and long-term goals at the forefront. Throughout my career, I have developed the leadership characteristics necessary for effective board service, including strategic thinking, collaboration, integrity, and the ability to balance diverse perspectives. My work in nursing regulation has required thoughtful analysis, sound judgment, and a commitment to decisions that ultimately protect the public while supporting the nursing profession. My leadership philosophy has also been deeply influenced by my upbringing. Growing up in a military household, and later with parents who served as international missionaries, instilled in me the importance of a servant’s heart, ethical integrity, adaptability, resilience, and a willingness to think creatively and take thoughtful risks. These experiences shaped my approach to leadership, which is grounded in service, accountability, and respect for diverse viewpoints. They also align closely with NCSBN’s vision of “Leading regulatory excellence worldwide” and guide my commitment to considering global and diverse perspectives when addressing regulatory challenges. I am also committed to continuous learning and professional development. I completed the NCSBN International Center for Regulatory Scholarship (ICRS) program and attended the Advanced Leadership Institute, experiences that have strengthened my understanding of regulatory policy, leadership, and global nursing regulation. These experiences, when combined with my clinical, educational, and regulatory background, allow me to bring a balanced and informed perspective to the Board. I remain committed to contributing collaboratively, supporting NCSBN’s strategic initiatives, and advancing regulatory excellence in the interest of public protection.

My professional experience spans nursing practice, education, and regulation, and I have seen firsthand how well-designed regulation protects the public and builds trust in the profession. This understanding shapes how I would contribute to advancing NCSBN’s strategic initiative. For the past 15 years with the Arkansas State Board of Nursing, and in my current role as Assistant Director of Education and Licensure, I have worked closely with the processes that support safe entry into practice. I oversee licensure and education functions with a focus on ensuring systems are both efficient and grounded in strong public protection standards. Through this work, I have come to appreciate the importance of balancing regulatory rigor with practical, workable solutions. I understand that effective regulation must not only set high standards, but also be clear, accessible, and responsive so that applicants, educators, and programs can successfully navigate the process while maintaining public safety. My experience in both clinical practice and nursing education helps me bring a balanced and practical perspective to regulation. I have seen how regulatory decisions directly affect patient care and how prepared nurses are to enter the workforce. This has strengthened my commitment to supporting regulatory solutions that protect the public while also being forward-thinking and adaptable to the changing healthcare environment. A significant part of my work has involved putting legislative changes into actionable regulatory policy and processes. Through participation in rulemaking and implementation following legislative sessions, I have developed the ability to help shape policies that are enforceable and meaningful. I bring a practical understanding of how policy moves from concept to implementation, and I would contribute that insight to support NCSBN’s efforts in regulatory innovation and policy development. I am also deeply committed to improving systems. Whether streamlining licensure processes, supporting nursing program compliance, or providing clear guidance to applicants and stakeholders, my focus has been on promoting transparency, consistency, and accountability. I believe innovation in regulation often comes through these kinds of improvements which make systems work better while maintaining the integrity of public protection. As a Director-at-Large, I would bring both an operational and strategic lens to NCSBN’s work. I would contribute by sharing state-level insights, supporting the development of practical and innovative regulatory approaches, and helping ensure that policies remain grounded in the realities of implementation. Ultimately, my goal is to support NCSBN in protecting the public and strengthening trust in nursing by advancing regulatory solutions that are thoughtful, effective, and responsive to the needs of the profession and the communities we serve.