Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners (MICNP) President MaryLee Pakieser, MSN, RN, NP, today praised state Senator Mark Jansen (R-Grand Rapids) and state Representative Lesia Liss (D-Warren) for introducing legislation to update regulations concerning nurse practitioners. Nurse practitioners, also known as advanced practice registered nurses, are registered nurses who have earned a master's degree in a nursing specialty and obtained national board certification. Currently their practice is regulated by provisions of the 1978 Public Health Code of Michigan.

"Nurse practitioners have specialized education and expertise to assess and communicate with patients to encourage healthy lifestyles, maintain health and manage chronic disease. Updating the Public Health Code will enable advanced practice registered nurses to practice to the full extent of their education and certification. We appreciate state Senator Jansen and state Representative Liss for leading this effort to define the role of nurse practitioners in Michigan, which currently lags behind most other states," explained Pakieser.

"Michigan must help clarify the scope of practice for our talented and trained health professionals. This bill will ultimately help to provide better health care for our Michigan citizens," said state Senator Jansen.

State Representative Liss who is minority vice chair of the House Health Policy Committee commented, "As a registered nurse with 24 years of experience in health care, I know how important nurse practitioners are in the delivery of quality care. These important updates to our scope of practice laws will put our state on even footing with the nation and allow our nurse practitioners to utilize their full training and fill the underserved needs of our health care system safely and responsibly. It will also make Michigan more attractive to high-quality professionals and their employers in the health care industry. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get these important reforms into law."

The proposed legislation (House Bill 4774 and Senate Bill 481) will help expand health care access in Michigan by permitting advance practice registered nurses (nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists) to practice more autonomously within the specific scope of their specialty and licensure. This is especially important in many areas of the state which lack sufficient health care professionals. "This legislation is supported by AARP Michigan," according to Joann Genovich Richards, PhD, RN, the Executive Council Volunteer for Health and Long Term Services and Support for AARP.

Source:
Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners