Updated September 3, 2024
Nurses play a critical role in the healthcare system. They are often the first point of contact for patients, and they are responsible for providing care and support to patients throughout their healthcare journey. Implicit bias is an issue that can impact the quality of care provided by nurses. In Michigan, RN’s, LPN’s, and Nurse Practitioners are required to complete continuing education courses that address implicit bias.
Implicit bias refers to unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect our perception, actions, and decisions. These biases can influence the way nurses interact with patients and affect the quality of care that patients receive. Implicit bias can manifest in many ways, such as assumptions about a patient’s abilities, cultural background, or physical appearance. Nurses who are unaware of their implicit biases may inadvertently provide unequal or inadequate care to certain patients.
To address the issue of implicit bias, the Michigan Board of Nursing requires RN’s, LPN’s, and Nurse Practitioners to complete continuing education courses on the topic.
LARA compliant implicit bias training for Michigan RN license
The rule from LARA, R 338.7001 was updated March 23, 2023 to allow for more ways for licensees to complete the requirement. The rule describes how many hours a licensee requires and the acceptable modalities of training as well as providers of the training.
The number of required hours of continuing education varies based on the type of license held by the nurse. RN’s and LPN’s are required to complete two hours of implicit bias education every two years as part of their continuing education requirements.
Renew Now CE’s implicit bias continuing education courses are designed to provide nurses with an understanding of implicit bias, its impact on patient care, and strategies to address it. These courses cover a range of topics, including the history of implicit bias, health disparities, and proven methods to address implicit bias. The courses are designed to help nurses recognize their own implicit biases and develop strategies to reduce their impact on patient care.
Acceptable modalities of training for Implicit Bias in Michigan include:
(i) A teleconference or webinar that allows live synchronous interaction that provides for the opportunity for participants to interact with the instructor and other participants.
(ii) A live presentation that provides for the opportunity for participants to interact with the instructor and other participants.
(iii) An asynchronous teleconference or webinar.
The Michigan Board of Nursing recognizes that implicit bias is a complex issue that cannot be solved with a single continuing education course. The board recommends that nurses continue to engage in ongoing self-reflection and education to address their biases continually. Nurses are encouraged to seek out additional resources, such as books, podcasts, and training programs, to deepen their understanding of implicit bias and its impact on patient care.
How does Renew Now CE’s course meet criteria for Michigan?
Renew Now CE is nationally accredited as a provider through the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC) Provider P0557 and is an approved provider by both the Michigan Board of Nursing and Pharmacy, ID 50-18921. According to the training standards R 338.7001, training obtained by a nationally-recognized or state-recognized health-related organization, meets criteria, additionally, an educational program that has been approved by any board, meets criteria.
Each of our courses is designed to meet the requirements of both the ANCC and R 338.7001, the courses include a pre-test and post-test, an asynchronous, instructor-led webinar, and meet the Michigan requirements in the Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Public Health Code Rules 338.7001. The written portion, test questions and webinar time all factor into awarding of continuing education credits.
In conclusion, the implicit bias continuing education requirement is an essential part of the continuing education requirements for RN’s, LPN’s, and Nurse Practitioners in Michigan. These courses help nurses develop an understanding of implicit bias, recognize its impact on patient care, and develop strategies to address it. By completing these courses, nurses can provide more equitable and inclusive care to all patients. The requirement is part of a broader effort to promote healthcare equity and ensure that all patients receive high-quality care, regardless of their background or identity.
For FAQ on the rule: https://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/lara/bpl/Shared-Files/Implicit-Bias-Training-FAQs.pdf