NNCC - National Nursing Centers Consortium - NNCC - Nursing Centers

The purpose of Principles of Participation is to accommodate the National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC) By-Laws as general operating principles.

DEFINITION OF A NURSE-MANAGED HEALTH CENTER

The National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC), formerly known as the Regional Nursing Centers Consortium, was founded in 1996 and is an association of nurse-managed health centers. Nurse-managed health centers are health centers managed by nurses in partnership with the communities they serve. They provide direct access to nurses and high quality health services, which may include comprehensive primary health care, health promotion, education and health protection and disease prevention.

The NNCC adheres to a modified version of the American Nurses' Association 1987 definition of nursing centers.

Nursing Centers - sometimes referred to as community nursing organizations, nurse-managed centers, nursing clinics and community-nurse-managed health centers - are organizations that give clients and communities direct access to professional nursing services. Professional nurses in these centers diagnose and treat human responses to actual and potential health problems, and promote health and optimal functioning among target populations and communities. The services provided in these centers are holistic client-centered and affordable. Overall accountability and responsibility remain with the nurse executive/director. Nurse-managed health centers are not limited to any particular organizational configuration. Nurse-managed health centers can be freestanding businesses or may be affiliated with universities or other service institutions like home health agencies and hospitals. The primary characteristic of the organization is responsiveness to the health needs of populations. The nurse is responsible for all-patient care and operations. (Aydelotte, et. Al. 1987)

VISION
Keep our nation health through nurse-managed health care.

MISSION
To strengthen the capacity, growth and development of nurse-managed health centers to provide access to quality health care for vulnerable populations and eliminate health disparities.

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The purposes of the National Nursing Centers Consortium are to:

To offer programs, education and training that enhance the non-profit nurse-managed health center model as an essential safety-net provider;
To facilitate collaborations between and for community-based non-profit nurse-managed health centers and other health providers to improve health care status of target populations;
To enhance the growth and development of the non-profit nurse-managed health center model by providing education and fostering understanding, recognition and use of this model;
To assist non-profit nurse-managed health centers in the development of programs that provide organizational and professional Development training to the centers’ staff;
To facilitate collaborations between community-based nurse-managed health centers and other health providers to best serve their communities that require health care services that are acceptable, accessible and affordable;
To represent the interests and recommendations of important health care and human services affiliations and collaborations in the public health arena;
To engage in any and all activities consistent with or in furtherance of the above purposes and perform such other lawful functions which may be conducted on a non-profit basis, within the scope of Section 501(c)(3) of the Code, and subject to the provisions of this Paragraph and of Paragraph 9 hereof.

MEMBER CENTERS/ASSOCIATES/INDIVIDUAL/CORPORATE/NON-PROFITE CORPORATE MEMBERS
The National Nursing Centers Consortium is comprised of nurse-managed health center members, associate members, individual members, corporate and non-profit corporate members, and the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation.

Nurse-Managed Health Center Members:
Nurse-managed health centers and/or nursing organizations; each organization has one Consortium vote through a designated representative. Names of nurse-managed health centers will be published in NNCC documents.

Associate Members:
Professional nursing organizations, health care organizations, businesses, government agencies, and others with a shared interest in and commitment to the establishment and long-term sustainability of nurse-managed health centers. Associate members are non-voting members. Names of associate members may be published in NNCC documents.

Individual Members:
Individuals with a shared interest in and commitment to the establishment and long-term sustainability of nurse-managed health centers. Individual members are non-voting members. Names of individual members may be published in NNCC documents.

Corporate Membership:
Corporate members must have a shared interest in and commitment to nurse-managed health centers. A potential corporate member must fill out a membership application and indicate corporate membership status. The Executive Director or designee will review the application, and conduct site visits when needed, and present application to the Board of Directors for final approval. Corporate members cannot vote, be members of the Board of Directors unless they are selected as an ex-officio member by the current Board of Directors.

Non-Profit Corporate Membership:
Non-profit Corporate members must have a shared interest in and commitment to nurse-managed health centers. A potential non-profit corporate member must fill out a membership application and indicate non-profit corporate membership status. The Executive Director or designee will review the application, conduct site visits when needed, and present application to the Board of Directors for final approval. Non-profit corporate members cannot vote, be members of the Board of Directors unless they are selected as an ex-officio member by the current Board of Directors.

MEMBER PROCESS AND DUES

Membership Process:
A potential member center must comply with the American Nurses' Association 1987 definition of nurse-managed health on page one of this document. The Board of Directors approves new members.

Nurse-Managed Health Center Member - A new member center must complete an application and survey. The Executive Director or designee will review the application, conduct site visits when needed, and present application to the Board of Directors for final approval. The Board of Directors grant an applicant a member status by a majority vote and upon receipt of dues. Full acceptance gives the center voting privileges for the designated representative, and the right to hold office. All staff of nurse-managed health center members can participate in one or more standing committees and/or Task Forces established by the Board of Directors.

Associate Member - Associate members can be professional nursing organizations, health care organizations, businesses, government agencies, and others with a shared interest in and commitment to nurse-managed health centers. A potential associate member must fill out a membership application and indicate associate membership status. Associate membership is granted upon payment of dues. Associate members can participate in one or more standing committees and/or Task Forces established by the Board of Directors. Associate members cannot vote, be members of the Board of Directors, or participate in the Board of Directors elections.

Individual Member - Individual members must have a shared interest in and commitment to nurse-managed health centers. A potential individual member must fill out a membership application and indicate individual membership status. Individual membership is granted upon payment of dues. Individual members can participate in one or more standing committees and/or Task Forces established by the Board of Directors. Individual members cannot vote, be members of the Board of Directors, or participate in the Board of Directors elections.

Membership Dues:
Membership dues will be set by the Board of Directors annually and charged for member centers, associate and individual members. Dues may be prorated for a new member based upon the date of application.

The dues for full nurse-managed health center inclusion in the NNCC will be based on a center's annual operating budget. Member centers, associate members, and individual members will be invoiced annually.

COMMITTEES

Establishment:
According to the NNCC By-laws, the Board of Directors may establish one or more standing committees, special committees and task forces, including without limitation an executive committee.

Committees:
The overall role of Committees is to make recommendations to the Board of Directors for Consortium policy or action.

Standing Committees:

Education and Program Development

Identify needs and organize training, education and professional development programs and opportunities for existing and new member organizations.
Foster membership development.
Enhance members’ management and leadership capabilities.
Identify and assist with grant development.
The Chairperson is a member of the Board of Directors.

Policy

Facilitate implementation of NNCC annual policy agenda;
Guide and facilitate the efforts of the Consortium to identify and address policy and regulatory issues that affect nurse-managed health centers' ability to carry out their work;
Facilitate the development of NNCC policy statements, testimonies, and NNCC position papers and ensure collaboration with other regional and tri-state policy organizations; and
The Chairperson is a member of the Board of Directors.

Quality Assurance and Research

Define, set and monitor quality standards for member centers.
Monitor standards of care and clinical practice guidelines.
Guide and facilitate the Consortium's effort to collect essential data to measure outcomes related to client care elements, cost of care and nurse-managed health centers' impact on health status;
Provide strategies for data collection;
Serve as a clearinghouse regarding available and effective data systems, standards of care, best practices and clinical guidelines useful to nurse-managed health centers; and
The Chairperson is a member of the Board of Directors.

Nominations

Develop slate of candidates according to the By-Laws and oversee the tasks associated with the nomination of officers and the election process.
The Chairperson is a member of the Board of Directors.

Finance

Assist in developing multiple sources of funding.
Monitor fiscal accountability and stability.
The Chairperson is the Treasurer of the Board of Directors.

Special Committee:
Advisory Committee – The Board of Directors may select an Advisory Committee to the Consortium. A Chairperson will be appointed by the Board of Directors. The Committee will assist the Board of Directors and nurse-managed health centers in fulfilling the Consortium's mission; and will consist of multi-sector representatives from community, business, government, health care professionals and others who share a commitment to the establishment and long-term sustainability of nurse-managed health centers.