News Archive, 1999 - 2020

Kirschling Urges VA to Give Vets Direct Access to APRNs

June 29, 2016

Professional nursing and veterans' organizations held a news conference on June 28 to demonstrate support and highlight the need for a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide veterans with direct access to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) practicing to the top of their education and training in VA facilities. 


Representatives of the groups appeared at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., at the midpoint of the public comment period. As of June 28 at 9 a.m., more than 44,000 people had submitted comments on the proposed rule, which is by far the highest number of comments for a VA rule since online comment submission was instituted in 2006 – more than six times the total number of comments previously submitted. Over the last 10 years, a combined total of 6,030 comments have been posted during more than 150 VA comment opportunities.The public comment period on the proposed rule is currently underway and expires July 25. 

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