If you’ve ever been stuck in a waiting room, staring at a clock and counting the ceiling tiles, you know how frustrating it can be to see a doctor.

Wisconsin’s healthcare system has long been grappling with this problem, and last month, the state took a bold step toward a solution. Lawmakers quietly but meaningfully expanded the scope of practice for certain nurses, allowing advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), such as nurse practitioners (NPs) and certified nurse-midwives (CNMs), to work independently, without the need for a supervising physician.

What does this mean in plain language? For decades, NPs and CNMs — highly trained healthcare professionals who often serve as the first line of care — were tethered to doctors by “collaborative practice agreements.” Essentially, th

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