Your accurate portrayal facing nurses in New York and the nation ("Nurses asked to know more, do more," June 3) is based upon the realization that we will not improve access to and quality of care while reducing costs without engaging the nation's largest health care workforce — registered nurses, a fact strongly supported by a report on the future of nursing released by the Institute of Medicine in 2010.
The institute's recommendations are being implemented in our state by the Future of Nursing New York Action Coalition (http://futureofnursing-nys.org/), a multisector group of individuals and organizations that are committed to improving health care in New York.
This coalition has made significant strides in increasing nurses' access to baccalaureate and advanced degrees to prepare them for the new roles that will be essential for a reformed health care system. Unfortunately, New York continues to present barriers to full utilization of nurses, including nurse practitioners, who are mandated by the state to have a collaborative agreement with a physician. The state's Medicaid Redesign Team recommended that this barrier be removed, allowing New York to join some 19 other states that have done so.
Our state's health care system must work to ensure that fully educated nurses can and should be able to practice to the full extent of their education and training. We have no choice, if we're going to improve the health of the public and do so at an affordable cost.
Robert O'Connell,
Foundation of New York State Nurses
Hila Richardson,
RN, New York University College of Nursing
Cathryne Welch,
RN, Foundation of New York State Nurses
New York Action Coalition co-leads