Table Of ContentOFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, DC 2030'-1200
AUG 1 0 2010
HEAl..TH AFFAIRS
The Honorable Carl Levin
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The enclosed report responds to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
for Fiscal Year 2010, Section 525(c), Public Law 111-84, which requests the Secretary of
Defense to submit a plan to establish an undergraduate nurse training program under
which participants will earn a baccalaureate nursing degree and serve as members ofthe
Armed Forces. The NDAA provides two options: 1) establish a Department of Defense
(DoD) School of Nursing, or 2) enter into an agreement with one or more academic
institutions to establish and operate an undergraduate program under which participants
will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and serve as members ofthe Armed
Forces. We apologize that this report was delayed by our extensive coordination process.
The final report provides a description of the DoD's nursing accession programs,
background on academic partnerships, and the plan for a Tri-Service Nurse Academic
Partnership Program.
Thank you for your continued support ofthe Military Health System.
Sincerely,
Charles L. Rice, M.D.
President, Uniformed Services University of
the Health Sciences
Performing the Duties ofthe
Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Health Affairs)
Enclosure:
As stated
cc:
The Honorable John McCain
Ranking Member
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON. DC 20301 ·1 200
AUG 10 l010
HEAl.TH AFFAIRS
The Honorable James H. Webb
Chairman, Subcommittee on Personnel
Committee on Armed Services
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The enclosed report responds to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
for Fiscal Year 2010, Section 525(c), Public Law 111-84, which requests the Secretary of
Defense to submit a plan to establish an undergraduate nurse training program under
which participants will earn a baccalaureate nursing degree and serve as members of the
Armed Forces. The NDAA provides two options: 1) establish a Department of Defense
(DoD) School ofNursing, or 2) enter into an agreement with one or more academic
institutions to establish and operate an undergraduate program under which participants
will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and serve as members of the Armed
Forces. We apologize that this report was delayed by our extensive coordination process.
The final report provides a description ofthe DoD's nursing accession programs,
background on academic partnerships, and the plan for a Tri-Service Nurse Academic
Partnership Program.
Thank you for your continued support of the Military Health System.
Sincerel~
~L[.k: ~
Charles L. Rice, M.D.
President, Uniformed Services University of
the Health Sciences
Performing the Duties ofthe
Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Health Affairs)
Enclosure:
As stated
cc:
The Honorable Lindsey O. Graham
Ranking Member
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1200
AUG 1 0 'l010
HIAI..TH AFFAIRS
The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye
Chairman, Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The enclosed report responds to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
for Fiscal Year 20 10, Section 525(c), Public Law 111-84, which requests the Secretary of
Defense to submit a plan to establish an undergraduate nurse training program under
which participants will earn a baccalaureate nursing degree and serve as members of the
Armed Forces. The NDAA provides two options: I) establish a Department of Defense
(DoD) School of Nursing, or 2) enter into an agreement with one or more academic
institutions to establish and operate an undergraduate program under which participants
will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and serve as members ofthe Armed
Forces. We apologize that this report was delayed by our extensive coordination process.
The final report provides a description of the DoD's nursing accession programs,
background on academic partnerships, and the plan for a Tri-Service Nurse Academic
Partnership Program.
Thank you for your continued support ofthe Military Health System.
Charles L. Rice, M.D.
President, Uniformed Services University of
the Health Sciences
Performing the Duties ofthe
Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Health Affairs)
Enclosure:
As stated
cc:
The Honorable Thad Cochran
Ranking Member
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1200
AUG 1 0 1010
HlI:ALTJoI AFFAIRS
The Honorable Daniel K. Inouye
Chairman, Subcommittee on Defense
Committee on Appropriations
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The enclosed report responds to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
for Fiscal Year 20 I0, Section 525(c), Public Law 111-84, which requests the Secretary of
Defense to submit a plan to establish an undergraduate nurse training program under
which participants will earn a baccalaureate nursing degree and serve as members ofthe
Armed Forces. The NDAA provides two options: I) establish a Department of Defense
(DoD) School ofNursing, or 2) enter into an agreement with one or more academic
institutions to establish and operate an undergraduate program under which participants
will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and serve as members of the Armed
Forces. We apologize that this report was delayed by our extensive coordination process.
The final report provides a description of the DoD's nursing accession programs,
background on academic partnerships, and the plan for a Tri-Service Nurse Academic
Partnership Program.
Thank you for your continued support ofthe Military Health System.
Sincerely,
fiJ.[e :..
Charles L. Rice, M.D.
President, Uniformed Services University of
the Health Sciences
Performing the Duties of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Health Affairs)
Enclosure:
As stated
cc:
The Honorable Thad Cochran
Ranking Member
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1200
AUG 10 Z010
HEAl..TH AFFAIRS
The Honorable Ike Skelton
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The enclosed report responds to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
for Fiscal Year 20 I 0, Section 525( c), Public Law 111-84, which requests the Secretary of
Defense to submit a plan to establish an undergraduate nurse training program under
which participants will earn a baccalaureate nursing degree and serve as members of the
Armed Forces. The NDAA provides two options: 1) establish a Department of Defense
(DoD) School of Nursing, or 2) enter into an agreement with one or more academic
institutions to establish and operate an undergraduate program under which participants
will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and serve as members of the Armed
Forces. We apologize that this report was delayed by our extensive coordination process.
The final report provides a description of the DoD's nursing accession programs,
background on academic partnerships, and the plan for a Tri-Service Nurse Academic
Partnership Program.
Thank you for your continued support of the Military Health System.
Sincerely, ~
r:t&Lt.e.
~
Charles L. Rice, M.D.
President, Uniformed Services University of
the Health Sciences
Performing the Duties ofthe
Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Health Affairs)
Enclosure:
As stated
cc:
The Honorable Howard P. "Buck" McKeon
Ranking Member
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1200
AUG 1 0 10m
HEAl-Til AFFAIRS
The Honorable Susan Davis
Chairwoman, Subcommittee on Military Personnel
Committee on Armed Services
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Madam Chairwoman:
The enclosed report responds to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
for Fiscal Year 2010, Section 525(c ), Public Law 111-84, which requests the Secretary of
Defense to submit a plan to establish an undergraduate nurse training program under
which participants will earn a baccalaureate nursing degree and serve as members of the
Armed Forces. The NDAA provides two options: 1) establish a Department of Defense
(DoD) School ofNursing, or 2) enter into an agreement with one or more academic
institutions to establish and operate an undergraduate program under which participants
will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and serve as members of the Armed
Forces. We apologize that this report was delayed by our extensive coordination process.
The final report provides a description of the DoD's nursing accession programs,
background on academic partnerships, and the plan for a Tri-Service Nurse Academic
Partnership Program.
Thank you for your continued support ofthe Military Health System.
Charles L. Rice, M.D.
President, Uniformed Services University of
the Health Sciences
Performing the Duties of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Health Affairs)
Enclosure:
As stated
cc:
The Honorable Joe Wilson
Ranking Member
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, DC 2030'·1200
AUG 10 2010
HEALTH AFFAIRS
The Honorable David R. Obey
Chainnan, Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Chainnan:
The enclosed report responds to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
for Fiscal Year 2010, Section 525(c), Public Law 111-84, which requests the Secretary of
Defense to submit a plan to establish an undergraduate nurse training program under
which participants will earn a baccalaureate nursing degree and serve as members ofthe
Anned Forces. The NDAA provides two options: I) establish a Department of Defense
(DoD) School ofNursing, or 2) enter into an agreement with one or more academic
institutions to establish and operate an undergraduate program under which participants
will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and serve as members ofthe Anned
Forces. We apologize that this report was delayed by our extensive coordination process.
The final report provides a description ofthe DoD's nursing accession programs,
background on academic partnerships, and the plan for a Tri-Service Nurse Academic
Partnership Program.
Thank you for your continued support ofthe Military Health System.
Sincerely,
eL(lJ2
~
Charles L. Rice, M.D.
President, Unifonned Services University of
the Health Sciences
Perfonning the Duties of the
Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Health Affairs)
Enclosure:
As stated
cc:
The Honorable Jerry Lewis
Ranking Member
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1200
AUG 1 0 2010
HIAt.TH AFFAIRS
The Honorable Norm Dicks
Chairman, Subcommittee on Defense
Committee on Appropriations
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Mr. Chairman:
The enclosed report responds to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)
for Fiscal Year 20 I 0, Section 525( c), Public Law 111-84, which requests the Secretary of
Defense to submit a plan to establish an undergraduate nurse training program under
which participants will earn a baccalaureate nursing degree and serve as members of the
Armed Forces. The NDAA provides two options: I) establish a Department of Defense
(DoD) School of Nursing, or 2) enter into an agreement with one or more academic
institutions to establish and operate an undergraduate program under which participants
will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing and serve as members of the Armed
Forces. We apologize that this report was delayed by our extensive coordination process.
The final report provides a description ofthe DoD's nursing accession programs,
background on academic partnerships, and the plan for a Tri-Service Nurse Academic
Partnership Program.
Thank you for your continued support ofthe Military Health System.
Sincerely, ~
rkL{.K~
Charles L. Rice, M.D.
President, Uniformed Services University of
the Health Sciences
Performing the Duties ofthe
Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Health Affairs)
Enclosure:
As stated
cc:
The Honorable C. W. Bill Young
Ranking Member
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
UNDERGRADUATE NURSE
TRAINING PROGRAM
REPORT TO CONGRESS
PREPARED BY;
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (HEALTH AFFAIRS)
IN COORDINATION WITH
FEDERAL NURSING SERVICE CHIEFS
ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE
AND
DEAN, GRADUATE SCHOOL OF NURSING, UNIFORMED SERVICES
UNIVERSITY
MAY 2010
UNDERGRADUATE NURSE TRAINING PROGRAM
REPORT TO CONGRESS
MAY 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Report Requirements..................................................................................... 2
Executive Summary ...................................................................................... 3
Background and Overview ............................................................................. 4
Academic Partnerships Background................................................................ 6
The Path Forward ......................................................................................... 9
Concept of Operations and Implementation Plan ........................................... 10
Service-Specific Proposals .......................................................................... 18
Objectives .................................................................................................. 2Q.
Conclusion ................................................................................................. 2Q.
References and Contributors ........................................................................ 22
Attachment 1 - NDAA 2010. Section 525..............................................................24
Attachment 2 - AACN 2009 White Paper............................................................28
Attachment 3 - Military Services' Nursing Corps Chiefs Congressional Testimony ..........33
Attachment 4 - Catchment Areas ......................................................................35
Description:Defense to submit a plan to establish an undergraduate nurse training program under .. Plans outlined in the report include: 1) programming funds to the TSNAP faculty and resource constraints (AACN, 2009, Attachment 2). Medical Enlisted Commissioning Program (MECP), d) direct accessions,
