Charter of the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice

Purpose

The Secretary and, by delegation, the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, are charged under Title VIII of the Public Health Service Act, as amended, with responsibility for a wide range of activities in support of nursing education and practice which include: enhancement of the composition of the nursing workforce; improvement of the distribution and utilization of nurses to meet the health needs of the Nation; expansion of the knowledge, skills, and capabilities of nurses to enhance the quality of nursing practice; development and dissemination of improved models of organization; financing and delivery of nursing services; and promotion of interdisciplinary approaches to the delivery of health services particularly in the context of public health and primary care.

Authority

42 USC 297t; section 845 of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.  The Advisory Council is governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463 which sets forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.

Function

The Advisory Council advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary and Congress on policy matters arising in the administration of Title VIII including the range of issues relating to the nurse workforce, education, and practice improvement.  The Advisory Council may make specific recommendations to the Secretary and Congress regarding programs administered by the Division of Nursing, particularly within the context of the enabling legislation and the Division’s mission and strategic directions, as a means of enhancing the health of the public through the development of the nursing workforce.

Additionally, the Advisory Council provides advice to the Secretary and Congress in preparation of general regulations and with respect to policy matters arising in the administration of this title including the range of issues relating to nurse supply, education, and practice improvement.

Structure

The Advisory Council shall consist of the Secretary or delegate who shall be an ex officio member and shall serve as the Chairperson and not fewer than twenty-one (21) nor more than twenty-three (23) members selected by the Secretary.  Two of the appointed members shall be selected from full-time students representing various levels of education in schools of nursing; two shall be selected from the general public; two shall be selected from practicing professional nurses; and nine shall be selected from among the leading authorities in the various fields of nursing, higher, secondary education, and associate degree schools of nursing and from representatives of advanced education nursing groups (such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and nurse anesthetists), hospitals and other institutions and organizations which provide nursing services.  The Secretary shall ensure a fair balance between the nursing professions, with a broad geographic representation of members, a balance between urban and rural members, and an adequate representation of minorities.  The majority of members shall be nurses.

The Secretary shall appoint members to serve for overlapping four-year terms.  Members will be appointed based on their competence, interest, and knowledge of the mission of the profession involved.  Members appointed to fill vacancies occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which their predecessors were appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such terms.  Members may serve after the expiration of their term until their successor has taken office.  A student member may continue to serve the remainder of a four-year term following completion of a nurse education program.

Subcommittees composed of members of the parent Advisory Council shall be established to perform specific functions within the Advisory Council’s jurisdiction.  The Department Committee Management Officer will be notified upon establishment of each of the subcommittees and will be provided information on its name, membership, function, and established frequency of meetings.

Management and support services shall be provided by the Division of Nursing, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration.

Meetings

Meetings shall be held at least two times a year at the call of the Chair, who shall also approve the agenda.  Meetings shall be held jointly with related entities established under this title where appropriate, including the Council on Graduate Medical Education; Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages; and the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry.

Not later than 14 days prior to the convening of a meeting, the Advisory Council shall prepare and make available an agenda of the matters to be considered by the Advisory Council at such meeting.  At any such meeting, the Advisory Council shall distribute materials with respect to the issues to be addressed at the meeting.  Not later than 30 days after the adjournment of this meeting, the Advisory Council shall prepare and make available to the public a summary of the meeting and any actions taken by the Advisory Council based upon the meeting.

Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise by the Secretary or other official to whom the authority has been delegated.  Notice of meetings shall be given to the public.  Meetings shall be conducted and records of the proceedings kept as required by applicable laws and departmental regulations.

Compensation

Members who are not full-time Federal employees shall be compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for Level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the Advisory Council.

Members shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Advisory Council.  Any such travel shall be approved by a Federal Government official in accordance with Standard Government Travel Regulations.

Annual Cost Estimates

Estimated annual costs for operating the Advisory Council, including compensation and travel expenses for members but excluding staff support, is $189,370.  Estimate of staff-years of support required is 2.15 at an estimated annual cost of $248,311.

Reports

The Advisory Council shall annually prepare and submit to the Secretary, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report describing the activities of the Advisory Council including its findings and recommendations.

In the event a portion of a meeting is closed to the public, a report shall be prepared which shall contain, at a minimum, a list of members and their business addresses, the Advisory Council’s functions, dates, and places of meetings, and a summary of Advisory Council activities and recommendations made during the fiscal year.  A copy of the report shall be provided to the Department Committee Management Officer.

The information or content and conclusions of reports are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any official endorsement be inferred by, the Division of Nursing (DN), Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or the U.S. Government.

Termination Date

The duration of the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice is continuing.  Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, this charter will expire on November 30, 2006.