Millions of people have signed up for insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Will there be enough doctors for the influx of new patients? One solution to a potential doctor shortage is to give nurses with advanced training more autonomy. That’s what a bill currently in the State Senate would do. It would allow advanced practice registered nurses, or APRN's, to prescribe medication and play a more prominent role in health care.Some doctors groups have said that it could compromise patient safety or encourage students to forego medical school in favor of nursing. But many in the nursing community have said that it will actually be good for patients and good for the state.
Current State talks with Cynthia McCurren, dean of Grand Valley State University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing.