We are writing this petition out of deep concern and urgency regarding the licensing processes managed by the Maryland Board of Nursing. We are personally affected by the current challenges in accessing timely and efficient services needed to initiate or renew nursing licenses. The pressing issue is that many nurses, like myself, face repeated obstacles, delays, and inadequate support, which prevents us from practicing our profession. This setback not only impacts our livelihoods but also jeopardizes the quality and availability of healthcare services across Maryland.

Every day, nurses dedicate themselves to the health and well-being of our communities, yet we are hindered by a system that does not facilitate our crucial licensing needs. Excessive delays in communication mean that skilled professionals are left without the ability to work or earn an income, directly affecting patient care and healthcare staffing across the state.

Solutions need to be implemented immediately to rectify these systemic issues. We call upon the Maryland Board of Nursing and relevant state officials who ensure budget appropriations for this agency to address the gaps in their processes by increasing staffing for timely communication and response, upgrading/troubleshooting their technological systems, and providing comprehensive training for their personnel. This will ensure that nurses can efficiently obtain and renew their licenses without unnecessary delays and bureaucratic barriers.

Specific concerns include:

• Communication and Access
  No phone or email replies: Staff do not answer calls or messages.
  In-person travel required: Nurses must drive hours to the office just to fix a problem.
  Long outdoor lines: People wait hours outside the building, often using personal paid time off (PTO) to do so. 
• Licensing and Work Delays
  Renewal delays: Slow processing causes active licenses to expire, stopping nurses from working.
  New graduate delays: New nurses cannot start their first jobs because initial licenses are stuck.
  Broken website: A recent software update created massive confusion and system slowdowns. 

The goal of this petition is to promote a more responsive and effective Maryland Board of Nursing that enables nurses to continue delivering critical healthcare services to the people of Maryland. By signing this petition, you are lending your voice to bringing about essential reforms that will strengthen our healthcare system and support those on the frontlines, ensuring they have the tools necessary to perform their vital roles. We urge you to support this cause and help drive the change that is desperately needed.

See prior media coverage from 2023, here: https://www.wbaltv.com/article/renew-nurse-licenses-problems-maryland-2023/43400688