Nursing Practice

The Michigan Nurses Association works to ensure that nursing's priorities, including professional practice, education, advocating for the care of individuals, families, communities, and career development are incorporated into the vision and mission of the organization.

Professional nurses as leaders and as change agents play a critical role in providing quality health care and promoting patient safety. Nurses are trusted by the public and known for their ethics, expertise, commitment, and compassion. Our nursing agenda should expand beyond professional aspirations and also focus on becoming more relevant and involved in the policy discussions on the future shape of health care.

The following definitions are based on the language in the Michigan Public Health Code:

The practice of nursing includes the care/treatment and counsel/teaching of patients who (1) are experiencing changes in the normal health processes or (2) require assistance in the maintenance of health and the prevention or management of illness, injury, or disability. A registered professional nurse (RN) is an individual (1) who is licensed to engage in the practice of nursing and (2) whose scope of practice includes the teaching, direction, and supervision of less skilled co-workers who perform nursing activities. An RN may perform under the supervision of a physician or dentist, and a physician may delegate in writing to an RN the ordering, receipt, and dispensing of medicines other than certain controlled substances.

A licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a person who practices nursing, but who has less comprehensive education and skills than an RN. An LPN may perform only under the supervision of an RN, physician, or dentist. The practice of a licensed practical nurse is a health professional subfield of the practice of nursing; as such, LPNs may not delegate tasks to or supervise other licensed or non-licensed health professionals.

The Michigan Public Health Code allows the Michigan Board of Nursing to issue a specialty certification to RNs who have acquired advanced training beyond that required for initial licensure and demonstrated competency through examination or other evaluation processes (MCL333.17210). These nurses are commonly referred to as advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), and they are prepared at the graduate level to work in one of the following three capacities:

Nurse anesthetists, according to the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, take care of patients’ basic anesthesia needs before, during, and after surgery or the delivery of a baby.
Nurse midwives, according to the American College of Nurse Midwives, manage women’s health care, focusing on pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, care of the newborn, and the family-planning and gynecological needs of women.
Nurse practitioners, according to the American College of Nurse Practitioners, address most common and many chronic illnesses. A nurse practitioner focuses largely on health maintenance, disease prevention, counseling, and patient education in a variety of settings. With a strong emphasis on primary care, nurse practitioners are employed in several areas, including pediatrics, school health, family and adult health, women’s health, mental health, home care, and geriatrics.

Some states also recognize a fourth specialty certification, known as the clinical nurse specialists. Under the State of Michigan Board of Nursing rules, clinical nurse specialists are considered and treated as nurse practitioners.

Job opening at MNA

Continuing Education and Professional Development Nurse Associate