Proposed Rule Would Grant Full Practice Authority to Veterans Administration NPs
The Department of Veterans Affairs aims to expand the scope of practice of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who work for the agency in order to provide veterans with greater and timely access to care.
Under a proposed rule published May 25 in the Federal Register, the VA said it intends to expand the pool of qualified health care professionals who are authorized to provide primary health care and other services to the full extent of their education and abilities without the clinical supervision of physicians.
“This rule making would increase veterans’ access to VA health care by expanding the pool of qualified health care professionals who are authorized to provide primary health care and other related health care services to the full extent of their education, training and certification, without the clinical supervision of physicians,” the VA said in its proposal, which will be subject to a two-month public comment period.
Advanced practice nurses hailed the VA’s proposal, saying it’s similar to what a growing number of states are doing in changing scope of practice laws to increase access to medical care, particularly at a time when there is a doctor shortage.
"Veterans stand to significantly benefit from this essential VA policy update, which gives them unencumbered access to nurse practitioners and the excellent, compassionate and patient-centered care they provide," said Cindy Cooke, President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). "We join our APRN colleagues in thanking the VA for their leadership on this important issue and for prioritizing the health care needs of the brave men and women who have served our country."
If finalized, the rule would make the Veterans Health Administration consistent with the U.S. military service branches, which allow APRNs to practice to the full scope of their education and abilities.
The proposed rule provides a comment period of sixty (60) days. Nurse practitioners are strongly encouraged to submit a comment by the deadline of July 25.