Allowing APRNs Full Practice Authority

Everyone deserves to live the healthiest life possible, and that includes being able to receive high-quality care from a nurse when and where it’s needed.

That’s why it’s good to know that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is proposing to change a rule in place at its health facilities, and allow nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and training. This would affect all four types of advanced practice registered nurses: nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse-midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.

The public is encouraged to tell the VA what it thinks of the proposed rule and why, by commenting at the Federal Register. Comments must be made on or before July 25.

Read more about it here, and tell the VA what you think about the proposed rule.

Below, we offer food for thought in composing your comment.

Feel free to use any or all, but please note there are a few bracketed areas in the text that you should fill in to personalize it.

To assure our nation’s veterans receive high-quality care when and where they need it, our country needs all our health professionals able to practice to the full extent of their education and training. That is why I am for the proposed rule by the Veterans Health Administration (RIN 2900–AP44-Advanced Practice Registered Nurses). This rule will improve veterans’ access to care by removing the barriers that keep advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) from providing care they are trained and able to provide. I believe that acting in the best interest of our veterans means that you should allow all APRNs to do what they can: nurse practitioners; clinical nurse specialists; certified registered nurse anesthetists; and certified nurse-midwives.

As a [nurse, nurse champion, citizen who cares about veterans], with [family member, spouse, friend] who has served in the armed forces, I urge you to approve this proposed rule.