I applaud the NEWS editorial of Feb. 7, “Doctors and Nurses,” especially regarding the comments about advance practice nurses and their education. There are several issues that come to my mind about the upcoming LD 1185, An Act to Increase Access to Primary Care by Redefining the Practice of Advance Nursing, upon reading this article.

I will remain silent regarding the comments made about turf wars between nurses and doctors. I do hope that the law will “…adopt simple, statutory language that empowers nurses and protects physicians.”

I have been a practicing registered nurse in the state of Maine for over 20 years. Having graduated from a diploma program in 1969, I have been pursuing higher education ever since then. Currently, I am in a master’s of science in nursing program at the University of Southern Maine. I am paying for the majority of this education myself as I have done over the past. I found the comment of Dr. Harkless, director of the advanced degree nursing program at the University of New Hampshire, “… historically, most of the education and training resources ($5 billion) flow to graduate medical education, while just $15 million is invested in program development at the graduate level for primary care nursing” an interesting comment. Why is such little value placed on graduate level nursing education? No wonder only 40 percent of Maine nurses hold master’s degrees and that there are only approximately 300 nurse practitioners in Maine. I am fortunate to be in a job that provides some tuition assistance, and I have also received some scholarships in the past. However, it is still a financial struggle for me, so how must it be for others who aspire to a higher level of nursing education?

My other thought concerns Dr. Harkless’ comment that “It (LD 1185) formalizes what has been done informally for generations….” This is a practical step for advance practice nurses to gain a greater independence and recognition for a distinct medical discipline. This bill empowers advance practice nurses to practice with greater autonomy. It also addresses the issue of cost containment for medical care. Now with the Health Care Reform at the front door, it would seem that LD 1185 enters at an appropriate time.

The language of LD 1185 may need some revision addressing the concerns about “…the public interest in licensing nurses to practice with great autonomy — and fundamental health care and safety issues….” However, I truly hope that LD 1185, An Act to Increase Access to Primary Care by Redefining the Practice of Advance Nursing, will have the full support of our legislators. Vicki B. Harriman, R.N. Union