With Illinois becoming the 24th state in the country on September 19th, 2017 to achieve Full Practice Authority Status for APRNs, the APRNs of Georgia have a renewed Call to Action to Support SR 188 "Barriers to Georgians' Accessing Adequate Healthcare." The SR 188 Study Committee takes an in-depth look at the physician shortage data. Additionally, it explores how APRNs in Georgia could be an important part of the solution for the access to healthcare crisis across Georgia which is particularly severe in the state's rural areas. Many citizens of Georgia do not receive any care or drive long distances beyond their own counties to access primary care and other health services. Finding access to quality healthcare for all communities is possible if Georgia follows the national trend removing legal barriers for APRNs to practice at the fullest scope of their education, training and certification.

It is important for everyone supporting the efforts of Nursing to continue to have a notable presence at all SR 188 hearings. The first meeting of SR 188 was convened at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, September 27th. Despite scheduling challenges due to Hurricane Irma, there was standing room only at the first meeting. The next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 16th at 12p at Augusta University. The meeting is scheduled in the Lee Auditorium that will accommodate everyone that would like to show their support by attending the meeting. Please sign up at the following link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d44a8ae2ba1f85-sr188ga. The third meeting of SR 188 will occur on Monday, November 6th at 10 am with the location to be announced. The final committee meeting is scheduled for 10am on Monday, November 27th at the Georgia State Capitol.

APRNs and RNs are asked to attend all meetings wearing a white lab coat and blue scarf to identify themselves and show support as nurses. For nurses that do not already have a signature scarves, one will be provided to them as they arrive to the meeting by the Georgia Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses. Supporters who cannot attend the entire meeting should feel free to attend for the time they are available. This is an exciting time for the nurses of Georgia. We look to Georgia's future as a state that is growing and poised to ensure that all segments of Georgia's healthcare provider workforce is able practice to the fullest extent of their education, training, and certification. This must be done in order to meet the need for access to optimal healthcare for all Georgians. So what number full practice authority state will Georgia be? If Georgia's almost 160,000 nurses are engaged at the legislative table, they will have a powerful voice in determining a successful outcome.