June 29, 2016 – Nurse Autonomy

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Anchor lead: The Veteran’s Administration is taking the lead on empowering nurses to do more, Elizabeth Tracey reports

Nurses are being empowered by the Veteran’s Administration to take on more responsibility and do as much as they are licensed to do without the oversight of doctors, according to a proposed new rule, with the intention of providing better and more timely medical care to the nation’s veterans.  Trish Davidson, dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, comments.

Davidson: I think why the VA is focusing on this is because of the chronic and complex needs of many of their patients, and it’s in that area where nurses excel.  Nurses independent practice is drawing upon the best available medical knowledge, and also the knowledge, skills and values we bring to the patient encounter. In particular looking at the whole person and taking time to go beyond the physical to the social, the psychological, and the cultural factors.  So I’m really excited that the VA is leading this debate.  :33

Davidson says if successful, she anticipates more large organizations following suit. At Johns Hopkins, I’m Elizabeth Tracey