Advanced Practice Nurses Attempting to Make A Significant Impact in Michigan

Yesterday, Alexandra Wilson Pecci, of HealthLeaders Media, discussed the current push by Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Michigan to allow APRNs to practice to the full extent of their education and training by supporting a State Senate bill that would define APRNs as, "individual practictioners". Ms. Pecci conducted interviews with MaryLee Pakieser MSN RN BC-FNP, president of the Michigan Council of Nurse Practitioners (MICNP) and Joanne Pohl, PhD, ANP-BC, FAAN, FAANP, Proffessor Emeritus, The University of Michigan School of Nursing and MICNP member, both of whom testified before Michigan's Health Policy Committee to discuss the importance of passing this legislation.

To read the full interviews with MaryLee Pakieser and Joanne Pohl, click here.

Proposed Bill Would Allow Michigan's Community Colleges to Offer 4-Year Nursing Degrees

A bill currently being considered by Michigan's Senate Education Committee would allow community colleges to offer 4-year degrees in nursing and other fields. David Jesse, of the Detroit Free Press, reported that the bill has already been passed by Michigan's House of Representatives and is now being reviewed by the state Senate. Proponents of the bill argue that the legislation would reduce the cost of 4-year nursing degrees while closing the projected 18,000 nurse shortage slated for 2015. This proposed bill aligns with recommendations made in the IOM's Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health report.

Click here to read the full article.

Click here to read other blogposts relating to the IOM's report