Council on Nurse Education and Practice
Committee’s official designation
Committee shall be known as the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP or “Advisory Council”).
Authority
NACNEP is required by section 851 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. § 297t), as amended. The Advisory Committee is governed by provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2).
Objectives and scope of activities
NACNEP provides advice and recommendations on policy, program, and general regulation development to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (Secretary, HHS) and Congress with respect to the administration of Title VIII of the PHS Act. This includes the range of issues relating to nurse workforce, nurse supply, education, and practice improvement. In addition, NACNEP is responsible for submitting an annual report to the Secretary and Congress on its activities, including findings and recommendations concerning the activities under Title VIII.
Description of duties
The Advisory Council shall: (1) Provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary and Congress concerning policy matters arising in the administration of Title VIII of the PHS Act, including the range of issues relating to the nurse workforce, nursing education, and nursing practice improvement; (2) Provide advice to the Secretary and Congress in the preparation of general regulations and with respect to policy matters arising in the administration of Title VIII of the PHS Act, including the range of issues relating to nurse supply, education, and practice improvement; and (3) 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, an annual report describing the activities of the Council, including findings and recommendations made by the Council concerning the activities under Title VIII of the PHS Act.
Agency or official to whom the Advisory Council reports
NACNEP provides advice to the Secretary and Congress, and submits an annual report on the committee’s activities to the 2 Secretary and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
Support
Management and support services are provided by the Bureau of Health Workforce of the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Estimated annual operating costs and staff years
The estimated annual cost for operating NACNEP including compensation and travel expenses for members, but excluding staff support, is $164,639. Estimated staff support required is 1.57 FTE years at an estimated annual cost of $288,606.
Designated Federal Officer
A full-time federal employee, appointed in accordance with Agency procedure, will serve as the Designated Federal Official (DFO) (or designee) and ensure that all procedures are within applicable statutory, regulatory, and HHS General Administration Manual directives.
The DFO (or designee) approves and prepares all meeting agendas, calls all Advisory Committee or subcommittee meetings, attends all Advisory Committee and subcommittee meetings, adjourns any meeting when the DFO (or designee) determines adjournment to be in the public interest, and chairs meetings when directed to do so by the HRSA Administrator.
Estimated number and frequency of meetings
The NACNEP shall meet not less than two times each fiscal year. Each meeting must be called or approved by the DFO. Such meetings shall be held jointly with other related entities established under Title VIII of the PHS Act where appropriate.
Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise by the Secretary or designee in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b(c)) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2). Notice of all 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.
Duration
Continuing
Termination
Unless renewed by appropriate action prior to its expiration, the NACNEP will terminate 2 years from the date the charter is filed.
Membership and designation
NACNEP consists of not less than 21 members, nor more than 23 members, appointed by the Secretary for a term of 4 years. Such individuals shall not be officers or employees of the federal government. Two of the appointed members shall be selected from full-time students enrolled in schools of nursing; two shall be selected from the general public; two shall be selected from practicing professional nurses; nine shall be selected from among the leading authorities in the various fields of nursing, higher education, secondary education, and associate degree schools of nursing, and from representatives of advanced education nursing groups (such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists), hospitals, and other institutions and organizations that provide nursing services. The Secretary, or the delegate of the Secretary (who shall be an ex officio member), shall serve as the Chairperson of the Advisory Council.
The Secretary shall appoint members to serve staggered 4-year terms. All members, except the Chairperson, are appointed as Special Government Employees. The Chairperson, who is an ex officio member, is a non-voting member and does not count towards a quorum. A quorum is a majority of the members who have been appointed to the Advisory Council. The Secretary shall ensure a fair balance among the nursing professions, as well as a broad geographic representation of members, and a balance between urban and rural members. In appointing members, the Secretary shall ensure the adequate representation of minority populations. Members shall be appointed based on their competence, interest, and knowledge of the mission of the profession involved. A majority of the members shall be nurses.
Subcommittees
Standing and ad hoc subcommittees, composed of members of the parent committee, may be established with the approval of the Secretary or designee to perform specific functions within the NACNEP. Subcommittees must report to the parent Advisory Committee, and do not provide advice or work products directly to the Department or HRSA. The Department’s Committee Management Officer will be notified upon the establishment of each subcommittee and will be provided information on the subcommittee’s name, membership, function, and estimated frequency of meetings.
Recordkeeping
Records of the Advisory Council, formally and informally established subcommittees, or other subgroups of the Advisory Committee, shall be handled in accordance with General Records Schedule 6.2, or other approved agency records disposition schedule. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying, subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.
Filing date
November 30, 2022
Approved
November 14, 2022
/s/ Carole Johnson
Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration
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Download the charter (PDF - 56 KB)