Future of Nursing in MI - August 2022

August, September, October 2022 The Future of Nursing in Michigan Page 7
Michigan Approves ADN to
BSN Program at Community
Colleges in Partnership with
Four-Year Schools
By Evelyn Zois Sweeney of Muchmore Harrington Smalley Associates
The state legislature has passed a sweeping $76 billion fiscal year 2022-
2023 budget which includes transformative investments across education,
healthcare, and workforce training. This year’s budget was bolstered by
unprecedented windfalls in the state’s general fund and federal COVIDrelated
relief dollars. Included in the school aid and higher education budget,
Senate Bill 845 has $56 million appropriated for the “Michigan ADN to BSN
completion grant program,” signifying the first-time higher education
universities and community colleges have reached a compromise on this
important workforce effort.
The crux of the legislative effort includes awarding each eligible
community college a minimum of $2 million to support the creation and
execution of a program that would allow an individual in the state who
has attained an associate degree in nursing to complete a bachelor’s of
science degree in nursing. The initiative requires a partnership between the
community college and a BSN-granting public university or a not-for-profit
independent four-year college or university.
The BSN-granting institution would be responsible for designing,
delivering, and maintaining the completion program, including admissions,
curriculum design and accreditation, with strategic input from employers
and community colleges. The BSN completion courses would need to be
taught at least partially in person on community college campuses, but
course delivery methods would need to be informed by the expressed needs
of the learners in that community.
The legislation also encourages opportunities for joint faculty
appointments for qualified community college faculty to teach BSN
completion courses as adjunct or part-time faculty at the BSN-granting
institution. The legislation is also intentional about bolstering student
success by ensuring the community college or BSN-granting institutions offer
career service, financial aid, mental health counseling and academic advising
support. The bill also indicates the collaborating entities should assume a
minimum five-year agreement unless adequate data and evidence support
discontinuing the partnership before five years has elapsed.
The appropriation bill was signed by the Governor on July 14, but does
not take effect until October 1, 2022. The agreement between the 4-year
degree granting institutions and community colleges is being heralded as
a major breakthrough in negotiations, mitigating the need for separate
legislation (House Bills 5556 and 5557) that had proved contentious within
the legislature. All interested parties are hopeful the legislation can prove
impactful, both for nursing students and the communities they hope to
practice in.
Just Say No;
How to Prevent Burnout
By Nadine K. Wodwaski in collaboration with the ANA-Michigan Nursing &
Health Policy Committee Members
Did you know that overworked nurses are at risk for fatigue that
can lead to burnout? They can jeopardize patients' health and possibly
damage their own mental and physical well-being. Many nurses like to
go above and beyond to be the best nurses. We want to do a good job,
and we say yes to almost everything, from picking up shifts, to working
late, and floating, etc. That means we say yes to everything except
ourselves. We have the power to say NO, but saying NO is a skill that is
hard to acquire. It is an inherently uncomfortable word to say. However,
we need to advocate for ourselves and contribute to our greater good.
By saying NO, you are saying YES to you. So, let us learn how to set
healthy boundaries for ourselves in our profession.
There is an art of saying NO without sounding awkward, damaging
relationships, or feeling guilty. NO can be a standalone sentence. Keep it
short! Many times we use far too many words when all we mean to say
is, "No, thanks!" Conciseness is the essence of confidence. If you sound
sure, people usually will accept that your mind is made up and will not
try to talk you out of your decision. That means you should not explain
when saying NO. Once you realize that you need time for yourself, it is
relatively easy (yes, I said pretty easy) to say NO without an explanation
or excuse. If you are afraid of coming off as robotic or unnatural, it
helps to rehearse saying NO in front of a mirror.
Declining tactfully and thoughtfully conveys respect for the other
person and yourself. Another piece of advice: add NO to your body
language. When you decide to say NO, turn your torso away so you are
not facing them. Cross your arms to cut off communication further.
This is a natural defense mechanism and an uninviting posture. Point
your toes away, towards where you want to go signaling your interest is
elsewhere. Once you signal NO with your body, it is easier for you to say
no.
While saying NO is exceedingly helpful, NO one will reap the benefits
unless you say NO gracefully. Yes, saying NO is a practiced skill and helps
you advocate for yourself in nursing, which is necessary for your selfcare.
No nurse wants to feel burned out like a burned-out lightbulb. By
saying NO, you are putting yourself first, keeping yourself strong and
whole so you can take care of others. Saying NO is declaring YES to
what matters; a healthy and fulfilling life. Make yourself priority #1!