MBON Executive Director Karen E. B. Evans, MSN, RN-BC Resigns

MNA has received notice from Gary N. Hicks, MS, RN, CEN, CNE, President of the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON), of the resignation of the current Executive Director, Karen E. B. Evans, MSN, RN-BC.  

    In spite of many challenges for Board staff and for Maryland nurses from the COVID Pandemic, an outdated computer system, and an inadequate phone service, the MBON has had significant accomplishments during Karen Evans' five-years there. These include:

          ● Maryland Board of Nursing office renovations

          ● Community Outreach to MBON healthcare partners including MNA, MHA, HFAM, LifeSpan, Deans and Directors, CNOs, and more

          ● Representing Maryland as Area Director 4 on NCSBN’s Board of Directors and Board Member National Advisory Council of Nursing Education and Practice

          ● Improved efficacy in the organizational structure.

          ● Workforce committees locally and nationally

          ● Working with the FBI on fraudulent nursing education and nurses, and being the go-to for all other boards of nursing nationally along with accolades from this group on the work during this investigation, remaking Maryland the Gold Standard model for how Boards should assure nursing students that their schools meet the criteria for licensure and how to manage the Operation Nightingale project.

    MNA will provide updates on the transition to a new Executive Director as they become available. MNA worked diligently with others during this last legislative session to assure that the MBON Executive Director will continue to be a Registered Nurse. The responsibility for the final selection is under the Secretary of Health. 

    MNA looks forward to continuing our work together with the MBON under the leadership of Executive Director Karen Evans until June 30. We thank Karen Evans for her leadership and for her commitment to nursing, and we join Maryland nurses  in wishing her the best.