Michigan Nursing School Information
What traits do you have that would make you a good healthcare provider? If you have an eye for detail, empathy, and the ability to keep your cool in tough situations, nursing programs in Michigan may be looking for you. As demand for nursing professionals increases in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, many schools are trying to meet local facilities’ need for qualified nurses.
There are many educational paths that you may consider, depending on your work experience and previous post-secondary education.
The demand for nurses is growing all over Michigan, according to the Daily Tribune. In Oakland County alone, for example, they expect jobs to increase by 50,000 in the next three years. Per their estimates, a major part of that comes from nursing jobs, as many employers have a growing need for LPNs and RNs.
Becoming a nurse also gives you the chance to positively impact your community. At a local Michigan nursing school, nursing students created Miracle Boxes to send to military personnel serving overseas. These kinds of experiences can help you become a more empathetic and efficient nursing professional.
In many parts of Michigan, the need for nurses is reaching an alarming level. Wood TV reports that in 2014, the number of RNs in Michigan dropped 3.5 perfect. This loss has been particularly significant in West Michigan. New nurses may have a number of opportunities to consider as they near graduation.
Nursing Education in Michigan
The path you take to become a nurse professional depends on what your long-term career goals are. If you want to become a licensed practical nurse, you may be able to complete your program in as little as one year. Those who want to work as registered nurses may complete a two-year associate’s degree program or a four-year bachelor’s degree program.
As a nursing student, you may take a wide variety of courses to build up your knowledge of health care procedures and standards. Courses that may be part of your core curriculum include Assessment of Health and Illness, Pharmacology, Pathophysiology, Health Maintenance and Restoration, and Community Health Nursing.
While completing your nursing degree, you should get plenty of clinical experience. Requirements differ between schools and program types, but you should anticipate completing at least 400 clinical hours by the time you graduate.
There are several scholarship programs in Michigan that support new nursing students. Look into your options to save money on school expenses. Through Michigan Student Aid, a state-sponsored financial aid program, you can apply for the Michigan Nursing Scholarship. You may also find a number of scholarships via the Michigan Nurses Foundation, which awards scholarships that start at $1,000. You may wish to contact the Michigan Center for Nursing to learn more about their statewide financial aid opportunities.
Nursing Degree Programs in Michigan
Specific and general information about nursing programs in Michigan is bellow.
Michigan Transition programs for nurses:
Graduate programs for nurses:
- All Masters in Nursing Programs in MI
- All DNP and PhD in Nursing Programs in MI
- All Nurse Practitioner Programs in MI
Entry level nursing programs:
- All LPN/LVN Programs in MI
- All Associate Degree Nursing Programs in MI
- All Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs in MI
- All Second Degree Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs in MI
- Direct Entry Master of Science in Nursing Programs in MI
Michigan LPN Programs
- Admissions requirements: Several health screenings, fingerprints, a background check, and a high school diploma
- Credit hour range: Between 30 and 45 credits
- Online degree options: Not offered, since clinical hours are a significant part of training at this level
- Licensing exams: NCLEX-PN
Becoming a licensed practical nurse may be a great first step in the field of nursing. Many colleges in Michigan with nursing programs offer short-term LPN degree programs. Since this degree often requires just 30 credits, you may only need two semesters of full-time education. The LPN role focuses on supporting patients and working under the guidance of registered nurses, so licensed practical nurses generally have a limited scope of practice.
BSN Programs in Michigan
- Admissions requirements: Several health screenings, fingerprints, a background check, and a high school diploma
- Credit hour range: Between 120 and 138 credits
- Online degree options: Not offered, since clinical hours are a significant part of training at this level
- Licensing exams: NCLEX-RN
If you’re ready to really commit to a nursing career, explore BSN programs in Michigan. From start to finish, the average Michigan BSN program lasts eight semesters. Some schools have more extensive clinical requirements, which may stretch your program out to nine or ten semesters.
Unlike LPN programs, which focus solely on nursing, baccalaureate programs also have general education requirements. You may earn up to 60 credits in general education classes that cover mathematics, physical sciences, and English. In addition to your nursing theory courses, you may spend several hundred hours working with patients in your clinical rotations.
Michigan MSN Schools
- Admissions requirements: A Michigan nursing license and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Credit hour range: At least 30 credits
- Online degree options: Available in some nursing specialties, particularly administrative areas of study
- Licensing exams: Decided by each national certification board
For students who already have a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, a graduate nursing degree in Michigan is the next logical step. Earning a graduate degree is one of the most straightforward ways to expand your scope of practice or completely change your focus in your nursing career.
If you want to move away from clinical work and go into an administrative role, you may study nursing informatics or leadership. If you still love clinical work, you may become a nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, or nurse midwife.
DNP and PhD Nursing Programs in Michigan
- Admissions requirements: A Michigan nursing license and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Credit hour range: Up to 110 credits
- Online degree options: Offered at select schools
- Licensing exams: Decided by each national certification board
Doctoral nursing programs represent the highest level of education in this field. As a doctoral student, you may earn either a DNP or PhD. These programs overlap in many key ways, but the DNP generally concentrates on clinical work and the PhD generally concentrates on research.
Now it’s time to act. Use our list of colleges with nursing programs in Michigan to contact the programs that catch your eye.
Nursing Colleges in Michigan with Nursing Bridge Programs
You may not fit into the traditional student role, which may leave you wondering which nursing program is best suited to your career goals. Find out if a bridge program has what you need. These programs serve all sorts of students, making it more convenient for them to get into the field of nursing.
If you already work in healthcare, you may want to turn your LPN diploma or RN Associate’s degree into a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. Rather than starting from the beginning in a four year program, you may go through a bridge program and save up to two years on your education. RN to BSN programs generally last between 18 and 24 months, while an LPN to BSN program may require three years of study. RN to BSN programs are particularly popular because many of them have no clinical requirements for students who have at least one year of full-time nursing experience.
At some schools, there are accelerated degree programs for those who got their start in a field other than nursing. If you have a Bachelor’s degree, your previous education could let you become a nurse in just 12 months. These programs condense four years of nursing education into one year, so you must be willing to make a full-time commitment. If you want to go straight into a Master’s program, a direct entry MSN may be what you’re looking for.
Tips for Choosing the Top Nursing Schools in Michigan
Everyone learns differently, so there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question “Which nursing school should I choose?” Of course, you want to become licensed by the Michigan Board of Nursing after you graduate, so you should choose a program that they have approved.
You may also consider the type and amount of practical experience you get as a nursing student. All accredited schools must meet minimum requirements, but some programs go above and beyond. Generally, getting more clinical experience helps you become a more competent and confident nursing professional.
What to Ask Michigan Nursing Colleges
- What is the acceptance rate for the program I’m considering?
- What is the average program duration?
- Are summer classes available?
- Is financial aid available? Is it based on need or academic merit?
- Where do students meet their clinical requirements?
- What is the student-to-instructor ratio?
- Are there study groups or mentorship programs to support new nursing students?
- What is the NCLEX pass rate?
- Does the school offer any NCLEX review programs or study groups to help graduating students?
- What is the six month job placement rate?
- How many clinical hours do students get by graduation, and are there any options for those who want to earn more clinical hours?
2017 Career Outlook for Nursing Professions in Michigan
Whether you decide to start your career in the Upper Peninsula or Lower Peninsula, you may be encouraged by job growth statistics in Michigan. They are in line with anticipated job growth in other Midwestern states. In the Upper Peninsula, nurses are typically needed in rural areas with limited access to healthcare facilities. In the Lower Peninsula, nurses may find job openings at urban hospitals with a high percentage of patients living below the poverty line.
Licensed practical nurses claim a mean salary of $46,660 per year in Michigan (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2017). From 2014 through 2024, their job openings may see a 6% increase (O*Net, 2017). You may become an LPN with a diploma or certificate from one of Michigan’s licensed practical nursing degree programs.
At the next level of licensure, registered nurses work in facilities across the entire state. Their average income is $69,100 per year in Michigan (BLS, 2017). O*Net expects demand for RNs to jump 12% by 2024 (2017). Explore your options at this level by contacting baccalaureate nursing programs in Michigan.
Master’s degree graduates may become clinical practitioners or administrative professionals. If you graduate from a nurse practitioner graduate program, you may enjoy a positive job outlook. Job openings may increase 24% between 2014 and 2024 (O*Net, 2017). Currently, Michigan nurse practitioners earn an average of $97,790 per year (BLS, 2017).
This could be your chance to get involved in Michigan healthcare. Nursing is evolving in Michigan, with many professionals advocating for tighter staffing requirements in hospitals (Detroit Free Press, 2017). If these efforts are successful, statewide demand for nurses may grow.
Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, Henry Ford Hospital, and Saint John Hospital and Medical Center
