90-171.70. North Carolina Center for Nursing; establishment; goals.
There is established the North Carolina Center for Nursing to address issues of supply and demand for nursing, including issues of recruitment, retention, and utilization of nurse manpower resources. The General Assembly finds that the Center will repay the State's investment by providing an ongoing strategy for the allocation of the State's resources directed towards nursing. The primary goals for the Center shall be:
(1) To develop a strategic statewide plan for nursing manpower in North Carolina by:
a. Establishing and maintaining a database on nursing supply and demand in North Carolina, to include (i) current supply and demand, and (ii) future projections; and
b. Selecting priorities from the plan to be addressed.
(2) To convene various groups representative of nurses, other health care providers, business and industry, consumers, legislators, and educators to:
a. Review and comment on data analysis prepared for the Center;
b. Recommend systemic changes, including strategies for implementation of recommended changes; and
c. To evaluate and report the results of these efforts to the General Assembly and others.
(3) To enhance and promote recognition, reward, and renewal activities for nurses in North Carolina by:
a. Promoting continuation of Institutes for Nursing Excellence programs as piloted by the Area Health Education Centers in 1989-90 or similar options;
b. Proposing and creating additional reward, recognition, and renewal activities for nurses; and
c. Promoting media and positive image-building efforts for nursing.