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).
The U.S., South Korea, and Japan flew an unusual trilateral flight with two U.S. B-52H Stratofortress bombers escorted by two Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2s, and two ROK Air Force KF-16 fighters—both countries’ respective variants of the F-16—July 11. That same weekend, the top military officers of the three nations…