Commenter:
Ashley Bear MSN,PMHCNS-BC: APNA / Harrisburg Area Community College
Support the CNS
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends utilizing advanced practice nurses in the future of the healthcare in the United States (Institute of Medicine, 2010). In fact, the IOM’s first recommendation is “Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education,” (Institute of Medicine, 2010).
Recommendation #3 from the IOM (2010) is “Nurses should be full partners with physicians and other health care professionals, in readdressing health care in the United States.” The IOM acknowledges that the 2010 Affordable Care Act will increase demand for services, and that APRN’s will be vital in meeting those needs (Institute of Medicine, 2010).
It is with these recommendation that I am writing to the VA legislator today, requesting that the state recognize and allow CNS’s to practice to the full extent of their training. In doing this, patients will receive accessible, high quality care that has been proven to be as safe as that of a physician (O’Grady, 2008).
Thank you for your consideration.
Ashley Bear PMHCNS-BC
Institute of Medicine. (2010). Report brief: The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. Retrieved from
O’Grady, E.T. (2008). Advanced Practice Registered Nurses: The Impact on Patient Safety and Quality (Chapter 43). In Hughes, RG (ed). Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-based Handbook for Nurses. Rockville, MD.
