At the University of Virginia School of Nursing, as with many advisory boards and committees, policy dictates their role as exclusively an advisory capacity. They advise the school's dean and are a conduit for discussion and debate among professional and business leadership, alumni, educators and students in regard to nursing education.
Some advisory committees are directed by policy to maintain awareness of contemporary nursing and nursing education issues and trends and develop standards, positions and policies, which they recommend to school leadership, college or university presidents or boards of directors. They may also promote research and teaching, conduct fund-raising efforts and serve as a liaison between key community members and organizations and the nursing school.
While advisory committees make recommendations and propose policy, they do not have the authority to implement their suggestions. They are in place to help provide guidance to the nursing school and its faculty and leadership. Their diverse backgrounds and experience serve as a catalyst to bring together new ideas and objectives to benefit the nursing program.