Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Vicky Jensen, Sandra Johnson, Linda Mattson and Marybeth O'Neil to the Minnesota Board of Nursing.

Vicky Jensen, of Savage, is a School Nurse at Eagle Ridge Junior High in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District. She has been a Registered Nurse in Minnesota since 1993. Jensen previously worked as a nurse at Northwest Medical Center in Thief River Falls. She received a B.S.N. from the University of North Dakota. Jensen is reappointed to her second term on the board and will serve a four-year term ending January 7, 2008. She is will serve as a Registered Nurse member of the Board. Jensen currently serves as the Board's Secretary.

Sandra Johnson, of Baxter, is Director of Nursing at St. Benedict's Senior Community, a 222 bed care facility in St. Cloud. She has been a Registered Nurse in Minnesota since 1983. Johnson previously served as Director of Nursing at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. She is a graduate of the R.N. program at Central Lakes College in Brainerd. Johnson is appointed to a four-year term ending January 7, 2008 and will serve as a Registered Nurse member of the Board. She replaces Betty Jo Hanna on the Board.

Linda Mattson, of Wahkon, is an Administrative Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse at Mille Lacs Family Clinic in Onamia. She has been a Licensed Practical Nurse in Minnesota since 1984. She is a graduate of the L.P.N. program at Anoka Technical College in Anoka. Mattson also received an A.A. degree from North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park. She is appointed to a four-year term ending January 7, 2008 and will serve as a Licensed Practical Nurse member of the Board. Mattson replaces Debra Bösl on the Board.

Marybeth O'Neil, of Rochester, is a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Mental Health-Case Management at the Psychiatry and Psychology Treatment Center of the Mayo Clinic in Rochester. She has been a Registered Nurse in Minnesota since 1982 and a Clinical Nurse Specialist since 1995. O'Neil received B.S.N. and M.S.N. degrees from Winona State University. She is appointed to a four-year term ending January 7, 2008 and will serve as the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse member of the Board. O'Neil replaces Vicky Hill-Rickey on the Board.

The Minnesota Board of Nursing is responsible for licensing and disciplining nurses and approving nurse education programs. The board is made up of 16 members appointed by the Governor.