The Nursing Education Program Approval Committee (NEPAC) is pursuant to section 3(1)(f) of the Act.  

The committee is delegated authority from Council via Bylaw 3. 

3.1. The committee shall comprise nine (9) members. 

3.2. The committee shall include the following members appointed by Council: 

3.2.1. three (3) members as provided by the educational institutions delivering approved nursing education programs in Alberta; 

3.2.2. two (2) members as provided by employers of Registered Nurses, excluding the College; 

3.2.3. one (1) member of the public;  

3.2.4. two (2) Registered Nurses; and 

3.2.5. one (1) Nurse Practitioner. 

3.3. Any committee member may serve as Chair. 

3.4. The Chair shall be selected by Council on recommendation from the Nominating Committee. 

4.1. Members must not currently be a member of a College regulatory committee. 

4.2. Members shall meet the competence requirements defined by the Nominating Committee. 

4.3. Council is responsible for removal of members. 

5.1. The term of office of committee members is three (3) years, staggered with approximately one-third of these members appointed each year. 

5.2. The term of the Chair is two (2) years. 

5.3. All committee members may serve one (1) additional term. 

5.4. A member continues to hold office after the expiry of the member’s term until the member is reappointed or a successor is appointed. 

A quorum is a majority of appointed members. 

7.1. All decisions shall be by a majority vote.  

7.2. Subject to the Act, the Regulations and the Bylaws, NEPAC may determine its own rules respecting the calling of and conduct of its meetings, or the handling of matters related to them. NEPAC meetings are held in private unless otherwise determined by NEPAC. 

7.3. The Chair does not vote unless there is a tied vote, in which case the Chair’s vote decides the matter. 

8.1. The committee may: 

8.1.1. approve an entry to practice program of study, as an “approved nursing program”  leading to initial entry to practice as a Registered Nurse, or as a Nurse Practitioner; or  re-entry to practice as a Registered Nurse; in accordance with nursing education  standards and criteria approved by Council and after consulting with and  considering the comments of the Minister of Health and the Minister of Advanced Education; 

8.1.2 remove approval from an “approved nursing program” in accordance with nursing education standards and criteria approved by Council and after consulting with and considering the comments of the Minister of Health and the Minister of Advanced Education; 

8.1.3. undertake any other power or duty given to it under the Act, the Regulations, or the Bylaws;  

8.1.4. subject to the Act, execute any powers and duties delegated by Council; 

8.1.5. assess a nursing education course or program of study as requested by the CEO & Registrar; 

8.1.6. establish the minimum nursing education standards and criteria required to obtain and maintain the designation of an approved nursing education program, which must be ratified by Council before they become effective; 

8.1.7. maintain a continuing review of compliance with nursing education standards and criteria; 

8.1.8. continue a collaborative process to serve the interests of the public in the delivery of nursing education; and

8.1.9. maintain effective links among stakeholders having an interest in the development, delivery, and evaluation of nursing education programs in Alberta. 

8.2. Each member shall keep information received by them as a committee member confidential. 

8.3. Information given to the committee shall be disclosed only in accordance with the Act, the Regulations, or as otherwise required by law. 

8.4 NEPAC may authorize the disclosure of information for statistical use when the information cannot be attributed to a particular individual or education institution.