Wisconsin Nurses Shocked and Disappointed with Governor Evers Veto of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Bill

Press Release for distribution.  A PDF of this press release can be found here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 18, 2022

Contact:  Gina Dennik-Champion, WNA Executive Director

gina@wisconsinnurses.org|

Wisconsin Nurses Shocked and Disappointed with Governor Evers Veto of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Bill  

Joint Statement by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (WI Affiliate), Wisconsin Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, Wisconsin Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and the Wisconsin Nurses Association

 

Madison…. On behalf of the 94,000 Registered Nurses that are comprised of 8,000 Nurse Practitioners, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Clinical Nurse Specialists, we want to convey our shock and severe disappointment of Governor Evers veto of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Bill, SB 394.  The bill passed by a unanimous vote in both the Assembly and Senate.

“We could not disagree more with the Governor’s rationale for vetoing a bill that had the promise of Wisconsinites gaining access to a quality, safe and accessible health care from an advanced practice registered nurse provider”, states Gina Dennik- Champion, Wisconsin Nurses Association Executive Director.

The impact of COVID on the nursing workforce and the looming nursing shortage has increased demand for healthcare providers in our rural, tribal, and urban-dense populations.   During COVID, the Governor trusted advanced practice nurses to deliver care independently based on their advanced education, training, and experience. His veto of SB 394 negates that well-earned trust and reduces Wisconsinites access to quality care.