WASHINGTON – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi has accepted recommendations from a blue-ribbon commission that looked at issues affecting the nurses of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) -- from recruitment and education to retention and pay.
“The panel’s recommendations provide a springboard for our success in answering the concerns of VA nurses, who are the spirit and soul of our Department’s noble and time-honored mission,” Principi said. “The commission’s report establishes the organizational, legislative and cultural tools by which VA can make a difference in the lives of our nurses.”
The commission studied leadership, professional development, compensation, technology, respect and recognition, work environment, and research for VA nursing personnel. The panel’s proposals included:
Strengthen line authority and accountability for facility nurse executives;
Support nursing education guidelines comparable to medical education guidelines;
Establish nationwide staffing standards that ensure adequate nursing resources;
Improve recognition of achievement and performance;
Support legislation to ensure competitive locality pay for registered nurses; and
Establish a Center for Excellence in Quality Nursing Care.
“VA and Congress must allocate resources to strengthen the ability of local facilities to attract and retain a qualified nursing work force,” said Linda Burnes Bolton, chairperson of the National Commission on VA Nursing.
With many VA nurses approaching retirement age, Congress created the 12-member commission, in part, to ensure VA had the financial and professional incentives to attract and retain a qualified work force.
