Nurses in rural areas of Michigan may be able to practice independently of a doctor when diagnosing ailments and writing certain prescriptions.

A bill recently passed by Michigan’s House of Representatives that expands nurse's authority is designed help the three out of four Michigan counties where there's a shortage of physicians.

It would allow for the licensing and regulation of advance practice registered nurses (APRNs), a classification of nurses with a masters, post-masters, or doctoral degree in a nursing specialty.

These types of nurses are recognized in 16 states already and there is concern that nurses are leaving Michigan or deciding not to locate here because of their limited scope of practice.