Senators Ask Whether Nurse Board Is Requesting Enough

The V. I. Board of Nurse Licensure is one of the smallest entities from which the Committee on Finance will hear a budget request.

However, in the hearing on Thursday, senators illustrated how important it was. Committee Chairman Sen. Kurt Vialet said, “We are not in a good place with health care in the territory.” He indicated that the Board of Nurse Licensure could be the entity that would make the difference in whether a resident going to the hospital would see the proper nurse at their bedside.

The board was requesting $536,885 for the upcoming fiscal year.

Sen. Kenneth Gittens said, “I don’t think this budget is sufficient.”

Sen. Javan James said, “We know we need more nurses in the territory.”

Vialet said, “We have to look at why we want to increase funds to the Board of Nurse Licensure.”

Tanicia Penn, a registered nurse and chairperson for the board, reading the testimony said, “This projected amount reflects salaries and fringe benefits of six full-time employees, property rental, and operating supplies.”

However, the testimony included a request for a supplementary budget of $312,344 that would cover new hires and raises for employees.