[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 23, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66570-66571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-25516]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Solicitation of Nominations for Membership To Serve on the 
National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department 
of Health and Human Services (HHS).

ACTION: Request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: HRSA is seeking nominations of qualified candidates for 
consideration for appointment as members of the National Advisory 
Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) or Advisory Council. 
NACNEP provides advice and recommendations to the Secretary of HHS 
(Secretary) on policy, program development, and other matters of 
significance concerning the activities under Title VIII of the Public 
Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended. NACNEP also prepares and submits 
an annual report to the Secretary and Congress describing its 
activities, including NACNEP's findings and recommendations concerning 
activities under Title VIII, as required by the PHS Act. HRSA is 
seeking nominations of qualified candidates to fill positions on NACNEP 
as they become available.
    Authority: NACNEP is authorized by section 851 of the PHS Act (42 
U.S.C. 297t), as amended. The Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 
U.S.C. App.), as amended, which sets forth standards for the formation 
and use of advisory committees, shall apply to the Advisory Council 
under this section only to the extent that the provisions of such Act 
do not conflict with the requirements of this section.

DATES: Written nominations for membership on NACNEP will be accepted on 
a continuous basis.

ADDRESSES: Nomination packages may be submitted electronically by email 
to [email protected]. Nomination packages may also be 
submitted by mail addressed to Advisory Council Operations, Bureau of 
Health Workforce, HRSA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 15W10, Rockville, 
Maryland 20857.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Camillus Ezeike, Ph.D., JD, LLM, RN, 
PMP, RAC, Designated Federal Officer, NACNEP, by phone at (301) 443-
2866, or by email at [email protected]. A copy of the NACNEP charter 
and a list of the current membership may be obtained by accessing the 
NACNEP website at https://www.hrsa.gov/advisory-committees/nursing/index.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NACNEP advises and makes recommendations to 
the Secretary and Congress on policy matters arising in the 
administration of Title VIII of the PHS, including the range of issues 
relating to the nurse workforce, nursing education, and nursing 
practice improvement, as a means of enhancing the health of the public 
through the development of the nurse workforce. NACNEP meets at least 
twice each calendar year, or may meet more frequently at the discretion 
of the Designated Federal Officer in consultation with the Chair.
    Nominations: HRSA is requesting nominations for voting members to 
serve as Special Government Employees (SGEs) on NACNEP to fill open 
positions. The Secretary appoints NACNEP members with the expertise 
needed to fulfill the duties of the Advisory Council. The membership 
requirements are set forth at section 851(b) of Title VIII of the PHS 
Act, as amended.
    Nominees sought are individuals representing leading authorities in 
the various fields of nursing, higher and secondary education, and 
associate degree schools of nursing; representatives of advanced 
education nursing groups (such as nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, 
clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists); hospitals and 
other institutions and organizations which provide nursing services; 
practicing professional nurses; the general public; and full-time 
students enrolled in schools of nursing. In making such appointments, 
the Secretary shall ensure a fair balance between the nursing 
specialties, a broad geographic representation of members, and a 
balance between urban and rural members. Members shall be appointed 
based on their competence, interest, and knowledge of the mission of 
the profession involved. As required by PHS Act section 851(b)(3), the 
Secretary shall ensure the adequate representation of minorities, 
including: Hispanics/Latinos, African Americans, American Indians/
Alaska Natives, and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. HRSA is 
particularly interested in seeking nominations from individuals who can 
represent these and other minority or underrepresented groups in the 
nursing profession, including but not limited to: Male nursing students 
and professionals; persons with disabilities; and lesbian, gay, 
bisexual, transgender, and queer persons.
    The majority of the NACNEP members shall be nurses. Interested 
applicants may self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or 
organization.
    Individuals selected for appointment to the Advisory Council will 
be invited to serve a term of 4 years. Members appointed as SGEs 
receive a stipend and reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses 
incurred for attending NACNEP meetings and/or conducting other business 
on behalf of the NACNEP, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5703 for persons 
employed intermittently in government service.
    The following information must be included in the package of 
materials submitted for each individual nominated for consideration: 
(1) A letter of nomination from an employer, a colleague, or a 
professional organization stating the name, affiliation, and contact 
information for the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e., what 
specific attributes, perspectives, and/or skills does the individual 
possess that would benefit the workings of NACNEP, and the nominee's 
field(s) of expertise); (2) A letter of interest from the nominee 
stating the reasons they would like to serve on NACNEP; (3) A 
biographical sketch of the nominee, a copy of their curriculum vitae, 
and their contact information (address, daytime telephone number, and 
email address); and (4) The name, address, daytime telephone number, 
and email address at which the nominator can be contacted. Nomination 
packages may be submitted directly by the individual being nominated or 
by the person/organization recommending the candidate.
    HHS endeavors to ensure that the membership of NACNEP is fairly 
balanced in terms of points of view represented and that individuals 
from a broad representation of geographic

[[Page 66571]]

areas, gender, and ethnic and minority groups, as well as individuals 
with disabilities, are considered for membership. Appointments shall be 
made without discrimination on the basis of age, ethnicity, gender, 
sexual orientation, or cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status.
    Individuals who are selected to be considered for appointment will 
be required to provide detailed information regarding their financial 
holdings, consultancies, and research grants or contracts. Disclosure 
of this information is required in order for HRSA ethics officials to 
determine whether there is a potential conflict of interest between the 
SGE's public duties as a member of the NACNEP and their private 
interests, including an appearance of a loss of impartiality as defined 
by federal laws and regulations, and to identify any required remedial 
action needed to address the potential conflict.

Maria G. Button,
Director, Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2021-25516 Filed 11-22-21; 8:45 am]
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