On January 13, 2017, the final rule for regulations to grant Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) full authority when acting within their scope of practice for the VA was released. In response to comments received regarding the “ordering, performing, supervising and interpreting of imaging studies”, the final rule has been amended to clarify the intended practice guidelines. It was clarified that the purpose of the change was not to replace radiological technologists in performing exams and radiologists in interpreting results, but rather to allow APRNs to utilize exams and “make evaluations based on the radiologists findings.” Additionally, they have replaced the language in the final rule to prevent misunderstanding stating that APRNs are within the scope of practice to “Order laboratory and imaging studies and integrate the results into clinical decision making.”
