VHA Nursing Handbook Under Fire!

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is currently considering revisions to its "VHA Handbook 1180.03: Nursing Handbook" to allow APRNs to "function as independent licensed professionals regardless of the state in which they are licensed." The language was first proposed in 2012 by the VHA Office of Nursing Services Annual Report, but has drawn particular attention in the past six months.

Although the VHA language aligns with the first recommendation of the 2011 Institute of Medicine report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health, there is active opposition aimed at this change from a number of medical societies. This opposition has resulted in some Members of Congress circulating letters among their colleagues urging Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki to NOT make the change to the handbook.

ACTION REQUESTED:

CLICK HERE to E-mail your Members of Congress NOW and urge them to reach out to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and express their support for the revised VHA Nursing Handbook.

Source: National League for Nursing