[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 17 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4960-4961]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01396]


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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 to 
consider for appointment as members of the National Advisory Council on 
Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP). 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, 
including the range of issues relating to the nurse workforce, 
education, and practice improvement. 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 up to 11 open 
positions on NACNEP.

DATES: HRSA will accept nominations for membership on NACNEP 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: Dr. Justin Bala-Hampton, Designated 
Federal Officer, NACNEP, by phone at (301) 443-2866, or by email at 
[email protected]. A copy of the

[[Page 4961]]

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.

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 Act, 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 (SGE) 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. HRSA 
is particularly interested in seeking nominations from individuals who 
can represent underrepresented groups in the nursing profession.
    The majority of NACNEP members shall be nurses. Interested 
applicants may self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or 
organization.
    Individuals selected for appointment to NACNEP 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 
NACNEP, as authorized by section 5 U.S.C. 5703 for persons employed 
intermittently in government service and PHS Act section 762(g).
    The following information must be included in the package of 
materials submitted for each individual nominated for consideration: 
(1) if nominated by another individual or organization, a letter of 
nomination from the nominator stating 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), as well as the nominator's name, 
affiliation, and contact information (address, daytime telephone 
number, and email address); (2) letter of interest from the applicant 
stating the reasons the applicant would like to serve on NACNEP; (3) a 
biographical sketch of the applicant, including the applicant's 
curriculum vitae and contact information (address, daytime telephone 
number, and email address). Nomination packages may be submitted 
directly by the applicant or by the person/organization nominating the 
candidate.
    HHS endeavors to ensure that the membership of NACNEP is balanced 
fairly in terms of points of view represented. Appointments shall be 
made without discrimination of age, race, 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 for HRSA ethics officials to determine 
whether there is a potential conflict of interest between the SGE's 
public duties as a member of 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.
    Authority: NACNEP is authorized by section 851 of the PHS Act (42 
U.S.C. 297t), as amended. NACNEP is governed by provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C. Chapter 10).

Maria G. Button,
Director, Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2024-01396 Filed 1-24-24; 8:45 am]
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