House passes bill to expand APRN practice

From Gongwer

A bill that would allow nurse practitioners, nurse midwives and clinical nurse specialists to prescribe a nonscheduled prescription drug, recommend physical therapy, recommend speech therapy and order restraints easily passed the House Tuesday with no discussion.

By removing the scope of practice definition and a separate licensure of advanced practice registered nurses, a bill providing more autonomous authority for certain specialties that was controversial last term has easily moved through committee and now the full House.

HB 5400  passed 102-5 with no discussion or amendments from the committee version. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

AARP Michigan strongly supports expanding APRN scope of practice, primarily because it would enhance health care access in the state.