COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Veterans Health Administration's (VHA) recent rule proposal would allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice to the full extent of their education and training in an effort to ensure timely and quality healthcare for the nation's veterans. The administration is seeking public comment on the rule, and the Ohio Nurses Association urges Ohioans to show their support of Veterans by submitting comments with the Veterans Access to Quality Healthcare Alliance at www.veteransaccesstocare.com.
The Veterans Access to Quality Healthcare Alliance is a product of a VHA workgroup, of which ONA's national constituent, the American Nurses Association, is a member. ANA, along with more than 60 other organizations including Veterans groups, support the proposal. The proposed rule is also supported by AARP and 80 Democratic and Republican members of Congress.
The VHA started to the process of changing the nurses' handbook in 2009. This long awaited rule has taken seven years and is an important step towards allowing our nation's veterans direct access to high quality health care delivered by APRNs, which include nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialist and certified nurse midwives. Over 6,000 APRNs currently provide a full range of services to our veterans within the VHA.
"This rule change is the right action, the right policy and the right time to improve Veterans' access healthcare. It just makes sense that we start using APRNs to the full extent of their training so our veterans may access the quality care they deserve in a timely manner," states Sally Morgan, RN, APRN, president of the Ohio Nurses Association.
The concept of APRNs practicing to the top of their training and expertise is backed by decades of research, aligns with the current APRN policy in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Combat Support Hospitals, Forward Surgical Teams and Public Health Services. Further, it is backed by evidence-based recommendations from the Institute of Medicine's 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.
Nurses, Veterans, families of Veterans and other Ohioans who wish to show their support of Veterans' increased access to quality and timely healthcare may take action by visiting www.veteransaccesstocare.com.
About ONA: Formed in 1904, the Ohio Nurses Association is a powerful network of registered nurses who are committed to advancing nursing through education, political action and workplace advocacy. ONA is the leading voice of the approximately 190,000 professional registered nurses in Ohio. To become a member of the Ohio Nurses Association, visit www.ohnurses.org.
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The Veterans Access to Quality Healthcare Alliance is a product of a VHA workgroup, of which ONA's national constituent, the American Nurses Association, is a member. ANA, along with more than 60 other organizations including Veterans groups, support the proposal. The proposed rule is also supported by AARP and 80 Democratic and Republican members of Congress.
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The VHA started to the process of changing the nurses' handbook in 2009. This long awaited rule has taken seven years and is an important step towards allowing our nation's veterans direct access to high quality health care delivered by APRNs, which include nurse practitioners, certified registered nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse specialist and certified nurse midwives. Over 6,000 APRNs currently provide a full range of services to our veterans within the VHA.
"This rule change is the right action, the right policy and the right time to improve Veterans' access healthcare. It just makes sense that we start using APRNs to the full extent of their training so our veterans may access the quality care they deserve in a timely manner," states Sally Morgan, RN, APRN, president of the Ohio Nurses Association.
The concept of APRNs practicing to the top of their training and expertise is backed by decades of research, aligns with the current APRN policy in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Combat Support Hospitals, Forward Surgical Teams and Public Health Services. Further, it is backed by evidence-based recommendations from the Institute of Medicine's 2010 report, The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.
Nurses, Veterans, families of Veterans and other Ohioans who wish to show their support of Veterans' increased access to quality and timely healthcare may take action by visiting www.veteransaccesstocare.com.
About ONA: Formed in 1904, the Ohio Nurses Association is a powerful network of registered nurses who are committed to advancing nursing through education, political action and workplace advocacy. ONA is the leading voice of the approximately 190,000 professional registered nurses in Ohio. To become a member of the Ohio Nurses Association, visit www.ohnurses.org.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nurses-urge-ohioans-to-support-veterans-access-to-timely-high-quality-healthcare-300283633.html
SOURCE Ohio Nurses Association
