An important feature of the Professional Development Framework is the Central Committee. The Central Committee provides a full review of the applicant’s portfolio in the context of Framework domains and behaviors.

The Central Committee reviews Application Portfolios and interviews candidates who seek advancement to Levels D & E. Membership is comprised of 30 nurses who are representative of the UMHS nursing community. Appointed by JIT, the Central Committee is chaired by the Director of the Center for Professional Development, Research and Innovation in Nursing.

Three-person subgroups of the Central Committee, known as “Review Panels,” review the portfolios and interview candidates, taking their assessment and recommendation on to the full Central Committee for final decision making on advancement.

Central Committee members will have staggered terms. The initial Central Committee members convening in 2006 have been appointed for a 2-year term. In order to ensure continuity, half of the committee will continue serving for an additional third year. Members may be re-appointed.