Health Minister Tony Ryall has announced changes to the way members are elected to the Nursing Council.
The council is made up of six nurses and two lay people who are appointed by the minister.
But from later this year, Mr Ryall says nurses will be able to elect members of the council.
The minister says the move is an important step toward giving nurses greater say in decisions affecting scopes of practice, competence and safety.
In September, elections will be held for two of the six health professionals on the council, who will serve a two-year term.
When the next elections are held in 2011 there will be three positions open for a three-year term.
