(1) There is hereby created a board to be known as the Mississippi Board of Nursing, composed of thirteen (13) members, two (2) of whom shall be nurse educators; three (3) of whom shall be registered nurses in clinical practice, two (2) to have as basic nursing preparation an associate degree or diploma and one (1) to have as basic nursing preparation a baccalaureate degree; one (1) of whom shall be a registered nurse at large; one (1) of whom shall be a registered nurse practitioner; four (4) of whom shall be licensed practical nurses; one (1) of whom shall be a licensed physician who shall always be a member of the State Board of Medical Licensure; and one (1) of whom shall represent consumers of health services. There shall be at least one (1) board member from each congressional district in the state; provided, however, that the physician member, the consumer representative member and one (1) registered nurse member shall be at large always.

(2) Members of the Mississippi Board of Nursing, excepting the member of the State Board of Medical Licensure, shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, from lists of nominees submitted by any Mississippi registered nurse organization and/or association chartered by the State of Mississippi whose board of directors is elected by the membership and whose membership includes registered nurses statewide, for the nomination of registered nurses, and by the Mississippi Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses and the Mississippi Licensed Practical Nurses’ Association for the nomination of a licensed practical nurse. Nominations submitted by any such registered nurse organization or association to fill vacancies on the board shall be made and voted on by registered nurses only. Each list of nominees shall contain a minimum of three (3) names for each vacancy to be filled. The list of names shall be submitted at least thirty (30) days before the expiration of the term for each position. If such list is not submitted, the Governor is authorized to make an appointment from the group affected and without nominations. Appointments made to fill vacancies for unexpired terms shall be for the duration of such terms and until a successor is duly appointed.

(3) Members of the board shall be appointed in staggered terms for four (4) years or until a successor shall be duly qualified. No member may serve more than two (2) consecutive full terms. Members of the board serving on July 1, 1988, shall continue to serve for their appointed terms.

(4) Vacancies occurring by reason of resignation, death or otherwise shall be filled by appointment of the Governor upon nominations from a list of nominees from the affected group to be submitted within not more than thirty (30) days after such a vacancy occurs. In the absence of such list, the Governor is authorized to fill such vacancy in accordance with the provisions for making full-term appointments. All vacancy appointments shall be for the unexpired terms.

(5) Any member may be removed from the board by the Governor after a hearing by the board and provided such removal is recommended by the executive committee of the affected group.