(a) The Tennessee Center for Nursing Advancement is established within East Tennessee State University to address issues of nursing workforce needs, including issues of recruitment, retention, and utilization of nursing workforce resources that are within the current scope of the practice of nurses.(b) The center shall: (1) Develop a strategic statewide plan for nursing manpower based on a detailed analysis of workforce needs;(2) Establish and maintain a database on nursing workforce needs, including current data and future projections;(3) Routinely convene representatives of nursing professionals, healthcare professional organizations, business and industry leaders, and other stakeholders to solicit:(A) Reviews and comments on data analysis provided by the center; and(B) Recommendations for systematic changes and strategies to implement the recommended changes; and(4) Enhance and promote activities for nurses in this state to be recognized, rewarded, and renewed.(c)(1) The center may utilize an annual survey to collect nursing workforce data from healthcare facilities licensed under title 68, facilities licensed under title 33, and the Tennessee higher education commission.(2) ay utilize an annual survey to collect nursing workforce data from healthcare facilities licensed under title 68, facilities licensed under title 33, and the Tennessee higher education commission.(2) Data collection under this subsection (c) may include employment and turnover rates, successful recruitment and retention practices, and future projections.(3) The center may publish data collected under this subsection (c) in aggregate form, but must not publish or release data that is otherwise confidential under state or federal law.(d) The center may collect data from the board of nursing that informs the work of the center, including, but not limited to, the number of current licensees and future projections of licensees.(e) The center shall submit an annual report of the center's statewide plan to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the speaker of the senate by July 1 of each year, beginning July 1, 2023.(f) This section is repealed on July 1, 2028.Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 885, s 1, eff. 7/1/2022.
Tennessee Legal Code