Nurses Speak Out in Favor of VA Proposal

This is somewhat strange but unfortunately not unusual Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM that the VA contends that there are no significant shortages of anesthesiologists there is a proposed rule in the Federal Register which would allow advance practice registered nurses (APRNs) working within the VA system to practice at the top of their licenses independent of physician supervision, regardless of what their state's laws are.
The fact that this rule for medical care will ignore state rules for medical care is troubling.
I have had many surgeries and I have volunteered to be treated by those in training for dental and medical procedures short of surgery. Anesthesiology is one of the areas where many patients die each year primarily because we are all very alike but have some unique differences among us including allergies and tolerance of anesthesiology medicines.
1. "VA officials contend that, since there are very few vacancies currently for anesthesiologists, indications are that the agency's anesthesia needs are being met. "
2. "Our veterans are waiting too long to get the healthcare they have earned and they deserve," Juan Quintana, CRNA, president of American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, in Park Ridge, Ill., said at the briefing on Tuesday. "We, as advance practice registered nurses (APRNs) all realize we're ready and capable [of providing] the services that are necessary for our veterans today. We fully support the proposal by the VA to expand veterans' access to care by recognizing APRNs to the full extent of their education and skills."
Thanks for mentioning me COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM I'm not a nurse and I don't have the experience from a healthcare standpoint to say this is a good proposal or not, but I can tell you that as Medical Service Corp Officer commanding a Charlie Company Forward Support Medical Company Nurses get it done anbd they don't need to micro-managed. I enjoyed reading the article and I'm surprised that more RP Members didn't take notice. Our Veterans need better care and this is just another (solid) proposal to get that done!
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Thanks for sharing. I had no idea that there was a shortage of CRNA's.