Cummings Gains Seat on State Board

It was business as usual in the Allied Health Nursing office when the mail came. Karen Cummings, Director of Allied Health Fields, was leafing through it when she eyed a letter from the State of New Mexico.

She opened it nervously, because facts about the nursing program have been distorted and falsely reported before. However; much to her delight, the letter was not a slap in the face from the state. Quite the contrary, inside was a letter from Governor Bill Richardson appointing her to the New Mexico State Board of Nursing.

Cummings was elected to this position along with three other nurses. Another resides in Lea County, one in Las Cruces, and one in Belen. Obtaining this opportunity delighted Cummings. “Not only will rural education have a say in the practice of nursing in New Mexico, it will be on the cutting edge of the new practices and policies carried out by the Nursing Practice Act in New Mexico,” said Cummings.

There are many advantages to being on the state board, but perhaps the largest one pertains to the NMJC nursing program. “We will know the most current rules and regulations and how those are going to impact the school before they are passed. That will be very helpful,” says Cummings.

Cummings says she feels honored to have this prestigious position bestowed upon her. Even though many responsibilities come with this appointment, we at NMJC are confident that she will help lead this board to great things.