So Much For Michigan Becoming Compact

subee, MSN, CRNA · Jan 18, 2021

1 hour ago, Epidural said:

Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed the Nurse Licensure Compact because it wouldn't allow Michigan "to set the standard of care required of nurses"-according to the letter she sent out on 12-30-20. It is my understanding that a nurse practicing under a compact license must follow the "Nurse Practice Acts" of the state that her patient is in, not the state where she legally resides.

You are correct - Whitmer vetoed it. I know I didn't make up the cost argument but cannot find out where I saw it. But I am still left confused why the MNA would advise Whitmer to veto it. As I see it, the standard of care required of nurses is BS since Michigan doesn't require RN's formal testing for any CE's. I was just able to subscribe to a series of articles and just keep them around in case there was ever an audit. The Mi-ANA and the MHA supported the legislation. Why did the MNA oppose it? Not challenging you, just interested how each group perceives protection of their interests.

Epidural, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2021

I am also confused as to why this bill was vetoed. I support this legislation, and have a long list of legislators that I have written to with positive and informative comments about how joining the NLC will benefit all of us. Many of these legislators are nurses; some are physicians and college professors. A few have personally replied to my e-mails, while others asked their legislative assistants to answer my letters. I have also watched a lot of legislative session webinars, so I have a good understanding of the concerns that people who oppose the NLC have.

I agree with you. Governor Whitmer's position does not make sense to me. My suggestion is to write to your legislators, Governor Whitmer, and the director of the Michigan State Board of Nursing with your concerns.

Washington State just pre-filed a NLC bill. Many other states have done the same. At least ten states will have NLC bills this year. Michigan nurses also deserve to be Compact members.

Epidural, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2021

Michigan State Representative Mary Whiteford just reintroduced HB 4046 in the Michigan State Legislature. This is a Nurse Licensure Compact bill. If you support this bill, let your representatives know. Six other states, and Guam, now have active NLC bills. It is still early in the 2021 legislative session; more states will be filing bills soon. Michigan nurses deserve to have Compact membership.

gmpiazza · Feb 8, 2021

I lost my job as a telephone triage nurse back in July, I wasn't told specifically why but I have a sneaking suspicion that we we losing clients due to COVID (we triaged workplace injuries, specifically). I worked in that position for almost 8 years and had planned on retiring from it. I have absolutely no desire to go back to a nursing home, especially now, and am primary caretakers of my elderly parents so remote is the way to go for me. Whitmer has just shot my chances of getting another remote job to pieces as most of them require compact licensure. So my only option is to move and now pay out of state property taxes on my home? I'm not selling it, it's on land that's been in the family for over 100 years. And, of course, there's my parents on the farm as well. I think I'm going to look into medical coding next.

Another poster asked why the MNA would encourage $h!+mer to veto the bill. Guess what organization I'm NEVER going to join. Here's a link to an article and an excerpt from it.

https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/michigan-house-passes-bill-seeking-to-ease-multi-state-nurse-licenses/article_a56a3874-5d7c-11ea-b8d4-b78e36b87242.html

Bill critics argue the NLC licensure would be too complex, that the quality of medical care could suffer because of state training differences, and that the state would bear additional fees.

"The Michigan Nurses Association Board has voted to oppose Michigan becoming a compact state because we want to maintain the high standards that Michigan has for nurses who practice here," MNA President and RN Jamie Brown told The Center Square in a statement. "In the compact, it’s a matter of the lowest common denominator among states. Patients deserve better than that."

Brown said that nurses who want to be licensed in multiple states can follow the current process, instead of one that's riskier and more complicated.

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) opposed the bill.

LARA estimated $115,000 in total associated costs for investigating complaints against nurses who live in other states but practice in Michigan, processing licenses, and monitoring investigation repayment costs.

LARA estimated an annual $250,000 rule enforcement cost for the Attorney General and the Michigan Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules.

Epidural, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2021

Frustrating situation!!

It might help to write to Michigan State Representative Mary Whiteford and let her know how much you would benefit from having a Michigan Compact License. She could use your letter to help support her legislation. I think people would appreciate knowing how our wonderful, committed, caring Michigan nurses are being negatively impacted by not having access to a compact license.

Nine states and Guam currently have active NLC bills in their respective state legislatures. Three of these states have already held committee meetings to discuss their Nurse Compact Bills. A few more states may introduce bills this year. Clearly, joining the NLC is a popular idea. Soon close to forty states will be members. Michigan nurses deserve to have Compact membership.

nurse_lime · Feb 11, 2021

This is absolutely ridiculous. I think we as nurses need to do something. I am Michigan licensed yet working in Fort Worth under an emergency license I received my nursing degree from university of New Mexico and took my NCLEX in Michigan. I think we all need to gather, and fight for this we can legalize marijuana but not make Michigan a compact state? Why don’t we do the math. How is much is each state paying out for complaints etc vs what Michigan claims that is would cost?
And what high standards does Michigan have? I’m sorry I make no sense but this is ridiculous we need to come together and fight this legislation should have no jurisdiction over nurses and where they practice!!

subee, MSN, CRNA · Feb 11, 2021

11 hours ago, nurse_lime said:

This is absolutely ridiculous. I think we as nurses need to do something. I am Michigan licensed yet working in Fort Worth under an emergency license I received my nursing degree from university of New Mexico and took my NCLEX in Michigan. I think we all need to gather, and fight for this we can legalize marijuana but not make Michigan a compact state? Why don’t we do the math. How is much is each state paying out for complaints etc vs what Michigan claims that is would cost?
And what high standards does Michigan have? I’m sorry I make no sense but this is ridiculous we need to come together and fight this legislation should have no jurisdiction over nurses and where they practice!!

We all take the same certification exam so our license should be a national one. I would equate a state that doesn't even have a data bank to keep track of a practitioner's CME's as a state that has "higher standards." Marijuana sales are a cash cow and investigating nurses is a negative cash flow for the state. How much simpler and cheaper it would be to have 1 national credentialing center with 1 set of standards as opposed to each hospital having to do it's own investigation of new hires. Trying to make the argument that states need different standards because the patients have different needs(?) isn't rational and we are wasting wads of money re-creating the wheel in every state BON and hospital credentialing office.