Evers vetoes APRN law for Wisconsin
(The Center Square) – Wisconsin will not be joining the list of states that allow advanced practice registered nurses to work on their own.
Gov. Tony Evers vetoed a state law to expand the care that APRNs could provide.
“I object to new licensure and practice standards for APRNs, especially those APRNs practicing independently, that do not provide adequate experience requirements, titling protections, and safeguards for patients who may be treated for chronic pain management,” Evers said in his veto message. “Ensuring we have qualified professionals who have the appropriate education, training, experience, and supervision to provide care to Wisconsinites is critically important.”
Republican lawmakers, however, say the governor caved.
“The message the governor sends today is clear: lobbyist cash matters more to him than the thousands of nurses caring for their patients across Wisconsin,” Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara, R-Fox Crossing, said in a statement.
The plan Evers vetoed would have allowed APRNs in Wisconsin to work independently without the need for a collaborative agreement with a supervising doctor.
Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, said it is “utterly ridiculous and downright irresponsible” that Evers vetoed the plan once again.
“Gov. Evers may have declared 2024 to be the ‘Year of the Worker,’ but it’s a shame he doesn’t believe that APRNs are qualified enough to do the jobs they were trained to do. As a result, we will all pay the price – primarily through higher medical bills and less-accessible healthcare,” Testin said.
Republicans first introduced the APRN legislation in 2021.
Twenty-seven other states, including Wisconsin’s neighbors Minnesota and Iowa, allow for APRNs to work independently.
Nurses in Wisconsin say they are holding out hope the state will join its neighbors, eventually.
“We are confident that there is a pathway to success on this bill that will be acceptable to all parties. The healthcare workforce needs of Wisconsin necessitate innovations like this bill. Nurses are tough; we will be back again next session to continue our work.” Gina Dennik-Champion, Wisconsin Nurses Association Executive Director, said.
