Johnson Appointed to State Nursing Board

Michelle Johnson (Practical Nursing) has been appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to serve as an LPN educator representative on the Michigan Board of Nursing. Johnson applied for the position with support from the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA).

"It always helps to have the backing of a professional organization," she said. "Of course, they also benefit because now they have a connection to the board and can keep track of what’s going on at the state level related to nursing education and the profession.

"My goal is to make sure that things are kept in proper perspective. With the national shortage, we’re seeing a lot of patch-up programs being developed to help fill the void, but the concern is that it may be at the expense of quality. Consumers deserve to know that they are in the care of highly qualified nurses.”

Johnson has been an active member of the MNA since she joined the profession in 1983. She later spent six years splitting time between her nursing duties at Marquette General and adjunct teaching responsibilities at Northern before she was hired for a faculty term appointment five years ago. Johnson’s main responsibilities involve the clinical aspects of the program.

“I’m still learning and I think this appointment will help me grow professionally in the area of education,” Johnson said. “It will also give me a better grasp of what direction things are going, so I may be able to contribute in some way to Northern continuing to offer a top-notch nursing program.”

Johnson’s four-year appointment requires senate approval. She will travel to Lansing six times per year for meetings and also serve on a side committee.

The Michigan Public Health Code empowers the State Board of Nursing to establish qualifications for nurse licensure; establish standards for education and approve nurse education programs; develop and implement criteria for assurance of continued competency; and take disciplinary action against licensees when the health, safety, and welfare of the public has been adversely affected.