Veterans Affairs plans to create a multi-campus nursing academy to help address the growing national shortage of nurses. VA employs about 61,000 registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, vocational nurses, and nursing assistants at its 153 medical centers and nearly 900 clinics. The department plans to establish partnerships with 12 nursing schools around the country over the next three years as part of a five-year, $40 million pilot program to develop a virtual VA nursing academy. Veterans Affairs also recently announced it plans to open 38 new community-based clinics in 22 states (find the list here).
It is critical that the Air Force move forward on the replacement for its E-4B “Doomsday” aircraft to keep the capability “viable” into the next decade and beyond, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. told lawmakers May 8.