[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 121 (Monday, June 26, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 28817-28818]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13293]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; 2018 National 
Sample Survey of Registered Nurses

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
proposed 2018 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, as required 
by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before August 25, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Daniel Doyle, U.S. Census Bureau, ADDP, HQ-7H051, 
4600 Silver Hill Road, Washington, DC 20233-0001, (301) 763-5304 (or 
via the Internet at [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 
(HHS') Health Resources Services Administration's (HRSA) National 
Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA), the National Sample 
Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) is conducted to assist in 
fulfilling the Congressional mandates of the Public Health Service Act 
42 U.S.C. Section 294n(b)(2)(A), foster the development of information 
describing and analyzing the health care workforce and workforce 
related issues and provide necessary information for decision-making 
regarding future directions in health professions and nursing programs 
in response to societal and professional needs. In addition, Public 
Health Service Act 42 U.S.C. Section 295k(a)-(b), the Secretary shall 
establish a program, including a uniform health professions data 
reporting system, to collect, compile, and analyze data on health 
professions personnel. The Secretary is authorized to expand the 
program to include, whenever he determines it necessary, the 
collection, compilation, and analysis of data, health care 
administration personnel, nurses, allied health personnel in States 
designated by the Secretary to be included in the program. The NSSRN is 
designed to obtain the necessary data to determine the characteristics 
and distribution of Registered Nurses (RNs) throughout the United 
States, as well as emerging patterns in their employment 
characteristics. These data will provide the means for the evaluation 
and assessment of the evolving demographics, educational 
qualifications, and career employment patterns of RNs, consistent with 
the goals of congressional mandates of the Public Health Service Act 42 
U.S.C. Section 294n(b)(2)(A) and Section 295k(a)-(b). Such data have 
become particularly important for the need to better understand 
workforce issues given the recent dynamic change in the RN population 
and, the transformation of the healthcare system.
    The proposed survey design for the 2018 NSSRN will include a 
probability sample (100,000 RNs) selected from a sampling frame 
compiled from files provided by the State Boards of Nursing and the 
National Council of the State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). These files 
constitute a sampling frame of all RNs licensed in the 50 States and 
the District of Columbia. Sampling rates are set for each state based 
on considerations of statistical precision of the estimates and the 
costs involved in obtaining reliable national and state-level 
estimates. The survey will be multi-mode offering respondents the 
opportunity to participate via a web instrument and a paper 
questionnaire.
    The 2018 NSSRN project includes plans to experimentally test the 
efficacy of a non-monetary incentive (that is, whether offering a pen 
and lanyard as a token of appreciation increases response, thus 
reducing non-response bias and reducing costs associated with follow-
up). Additionally, the project will test contact materials, and test 
modifications to data collection strategies based on response from 
prior contact strategies.
    In addition to testing non-monetary incentives, the 2018 NSSRN will 
evaluate different non-response follow-up mailing strategies by testing 
for response improvements using different envelopes to deliver the 
survey materials. One of these strategies utilizes testing a pressure-
sealed reminder postcard scheduled to be mailed approximately one week 
after the initial survey invite mailing. This strategy is being 
implemented to decrease the time gap during mailings and is more cost-
effective than sending an additional paper questionnaire packet. The 
ability to send reminders enclosed with the pressure-seal system allows 
for the secure delivery of login information for the NSSRN web 
instrument as well as specific information about the survey.
    Third, we plan to experimentally evaluate the impact of adding a 
supplemental fact sheet with important statistics from prior NSSRN 
administrations. During the initial mailing, inserts with important 
NSSRN facts will be tested.
    Finally, for respondents who experience technical problems with the 
web instrument, have questions about the survey, or need other forms of 
assistance, the 2018 NSSRN will have a Telephone Questionnaire 
Assistance (TQA) line available. TQA staff will not only be able to 
answer respondent questions and concerns, but also they will have the 
ability to collect survey responses over the phone, using an 
administrative access to the web instrument, if the respondent calls in 
and would like to have interviewer assistance in completing the 
interview.

II. Methods of Collection

Web-Push

    The production 2018 NSSRN plan for the web-push data collection 
design includes 80% of the 100,000 RNs receiving an initial invite with 
instructions on how to complete the questionnaire via the web. The web-

[[Page 28818]]

push production sample of 80,000 is broken out into two non-monetary 
incentive groups: The majority, 70,000 RNs, will receive a lanyard and 
pen; a small group, 10,000 RNs, will receive no incentive so that the 
effectiveness of the non-monetary incentive can be evaluated. No 
additional incentives are planned for subsequent follow-up reminders or 
paper questionnaire mailings.

Mixed-Mode

    The remaining 20% of the sampled RNs will be mailed an initial 
invite with instructions on how to complete the questionnaire via the 
web, in addition to a paper questionnaire in the packet. This group of 
20,000 RNs is broken out so that 10,000 receive a lanyard and pen, and 
a smaller group, 10,000 RNs, receive no incentive so that the 
effectiveness of the non-monetary incentive can be evaluated.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-####.
    Form Number: NSSRN.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Nurses, researchers, and policymakers.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 65,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 25 minutes per response.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 27,083 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Census Authority: 13 U.S.C. Section 8(b).
    HRSA Authority: Public Service Act 42 U.S.C. Section 294n(b)(2)(A) 
and 42 U.S.C. Section 295k(a)-(b).
    Confidentiality: The data collected under this agreement are 
confidential under 13 U.S.C. Section 9. All access to Title 13 data 
from this survey is restricted to those holding Census Bureau Special 
Sworn Status pursuant to 13 U.S.C. Section 23(c).

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Sheleen Dumas,
Departmental PRA Lead, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2017-13293 Filed 6-23-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-07-P