Michigan House Health Policy Committee discusses bill that could bring more nurses to UP

LANSING, Mich. (WLUC) – A bill working through the state legislature could bring more nurses to the U.P.

The Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) allows nurses to practice in multiple states within the compact with a single license. There are already 42 states in the compact, including Wisconsin and Ohio. On Wednesday, the House Health Policy Committee discussed Michigan House Bill 4246, which would enter Michigan into the compact.

Some people who oppose the bill are concerned this would mean nurses from states with lower standards for nurses would work in Michigan.

“Some compact states, including nearby Indiana, have no continuing education requirements for nurses,” said Aaron McCormick, RN, representing the Michigan Nurses Association. “This is really worrisome because nursing is a constantly changing profession. We have to keep up with new information and new practices. I’m glad Michigan has high standards. I want to work next to nurses who have met the same high standards that I have, not the least common denominator.”

Rep. Dave Prestin (R-108th District) disagrees. He says nurses continue their education constantly, whether or not it’s required by their state.

“These are all professionals,” said Prestin. “They’ve gone through the training. They’ve gone through the school and the testing, as well as the continuing education that is not only required by the state, but also by whatever health facility that they work in. I can tell you that the continuing education required at the facilities that you work at is sometimes worse than the state’s continuing education.”

He says entering a compact like this is what the U.P. needs to make sure it has enough nurses.

“Between all of the licensure issues, the costs, and the continuing education, the U.P. is never going to see its way to a robust nursing environment unless we do embrace compacts like this,” said Prestin.

At the same meeting, the House Health Policy Committee voted to move HB 4309, which would enter Michigan into a similar compact for physician’s assistants, to the Rules Committee. The bills are still in committee, so the House and Senate have to vote on them before the governor can sign them into law.

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