Lawmakers: Wisconsin nursing reforms will become law soon

(The Center Square) – Republicans and Democrats at the Wisconsin Capitol on Tuesday said their advance practice nurse reform package will become law as soon as it gets to Gov. Tony Evers desk.

“Despite a couple of setbacks for the last couple sessions, we’ve had very productive conversations with the various stakeholders along with Gov. Tony Evers,” Sen. Patrick Testin, R-Stevens Point, said. “And we have a deal in place that if and when this bill reaches his desk, it will get signed into law.”

The proposal, officially known as the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Modernization Act, would allow AP nurses in Wisconsin to see patients, order tests, prescribe medicines and manage care all without the supervision of a doctor.

Supporters say the reforms would allow nurses to work at the “top of their scope.”

Testin said the reforms could help lessen Wisconsin’s health shortages.

“We are all acutely aware that the workforce challenges that we face here in the state are dire when it comes to our frontline medical professionals. And by empowering our APRNs to operate the highest scope of their practice there is no question that they are going to stand up and deliver top quality health care for the patients in every corner of the state, especially in our rural and underserved areas,” Testin added.

Rep. Lisa Subek, D-Madison, said it took a while to work out the details, and reformers tried for years to get an APRN package through the legislature. Now that there’s an agreement, Subek said Wisconsin can move forward.

“We all agree that we need better access to health care. We all agree that folks should have access to quality health care. And we all agree that nurses should be able to practice to the top of their scope,” Subek told reporters. “And this is a bill that, at the end of the day, ensures that we can expand access to health care without compromising quality and I think that’s really key.”

Testin and the others introduced the plan on Tuesday.