Michigan Master of Science in Nursing Programs
Have you been thinking about continuing your education by earning your Master’s of Science in Nursing (MSN)? If you’d like to find out how a Master’s in Nursing can help improve healthcare and increase your opportunities in the State of Michigan, you’ve found the right place. At BestNursingDegree.com, we have taken the time to compile all of the nursing schools in Michigan that offer Master’s programs in nursing within the state. You can find them below, and request information about how to go back to nursing school to earn your advanced degree.
The healthcare industry is quickly evolving, and it calls for nurses to be utilized in specialized fields. Many hospitals and other healthcare organizations are asking nurses to continue their education in order to fulfill a higher standard in nursing. While an undergraduate degree in nursing prepares you for general nursing practice, a master’s degree can help you develop your advanced clinical judgment and leadership skills.
As a MSN-prepared nurse, you will be at the forefront of professional practice and patient care. Attaining an advanced degree is intended to provide you with the means and skills you need to deal with an industry that is becoming more complex day by day.
If you want to get into advanced practice nursing, you must first obtain your master’s degree. The most common occupations in advanced practice nursing include:
- Nurse Practitioner
- Certified Nurse Anesthetist
- Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Certified Nurse Midwife
MSN degrees also can prepare you for careers in administrative health or educational roles.
As of October 2013, Michigan had 7902 nurse specialists, or nurses who have received a specialized MSN degree and possess national certification in their area of expertise, according to the Michigan Board of Nursing.
Master’s in Nursing Programs in MI
Completing your MSN degree only takes an average of 2 years, depending upon your enrollment status, and there are multiple rewards earning a Master’s degree can offer you. As with all types of nursing education, it can be challenging, but with commitment and hard work you can be well on your way to earning your Master’s degree in Nursing.
In fact, there are many nursing schools in MI that have made the process easier for working nurses. Online programs allow you to stay off-campus as well as to continue meeting your work schedule, while taking classes from the flexibility of your own home. Since you will likely be required to complete a number of clinical hours as well, many schools have developed strategic partnerships with healthcare facilities, allowing you to complete clinicals nearby.
There are many options available to help pay with nursing school, such as grants and scholarships in the State of Michigan. You may want to check with your employer, as well, as many healthcare organizations are supportive of continuing nursing education. Often times, they have programs available that can provide for partial or even full tuition assistance. You can also apply for our own nursing scholarship, as we want to help you meet your educational goals.
Careers for Nursing Master’s Graduates in Michigan
If you are looking for a place with a high demand for nurses with an MSN, Michigan may fit the bill. Healthcare organizations in MI need nurses who are fully prepared to take on the challenges of the healthcare industry. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, “Today’s Master’s programs have increased the amount of clinical practice that students engage in so that graduates enter the job market ready for certification.”
Many of Michigan’s Masters prepared nurses are nurse practitioners, who are able to specialize in primary care services for families and adults, as well as specialty focus areas such as cardiac care. As a nurse practitioner in MI, you can be employed by hospitals, ambulatory medical clinics, and community settings where essential health care services are provided. According to the AAMC, with the recent healthcare reform legislation, it is estimated that there will be a shortage of physicians over the years. This is because the many Americans who were previously uninsured, now have access to medical coverage as a result of recent legislation and reform efforts. This is anticipated to add more patients to the already small amount of physicians and primary care providers in the state.
With fewer physicians to care for everyone, healthcare organizations will be looking to advanced practice nurses to fill the void and maintain high-quality patient care. There is likely to be a continued need for primary healthcare providers in the future, and we at BestNursingDegree.com believe that you, the nurses who are willing to step up and obtain your master’s degree, can help ensure for a future that is bright.
Master’s-prepared certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are also an important part of the healthcare team in Michigan, especially in rural areas, where CRNAs may be the only providers of anesthesia care. Clinical nurse specialists, MSN-prepared nurses who work with patient populations, often work in psych/mental health, oncology, geriatrics and women’s health in Michigan, where their services can improve health on a personal and statewide level.
Of all routes for Master’s education, there remains one that is pivotal in both Michigan, and across the nation. Nurse faculty are often required to be possess a Master’s degree in order to teach, however, there is a faculty vacancy rate of 7.7 percent nationally (AACN, 2012) which is affecting the ability of nursing schools to produce enough nurses to meet demand.
A 2001 report for the Michigan Dept of Consumer and Industry Services addressed the issue over a decade ago, noting that collaboration between schools and employer are essential for addressing both the nurse faculty and nurse workforce shortages. Allowing MSN students to complete clinical requirements in their current work settings is one of the hallmarks of some of the featured schools on our listings, reinforcing the call to develop, maintain and explore collaborative relations between education and working.
There is a high demand for educators as there are not enough teachers in the field of nursing education. This causes schools to set up limits and turn away applicants who are looking to embark in the exciting field of nursing. Schools that are affected by the shortage of nursing educators have to be extremely selective in who gets into the nursing program. While most nursing programs in Michigan prefer educators that have a doctoral degree, a nurse with an MSN degree is qualified to teach and lead clinical classes. You can even go on to earn your PhD in nursing and have a rewarding career in the education industry.
With an occupation in advanced practiced nursing, you can likely earn one of the highest salaries in the nursing field. According to the State of Michigan, the average salary of a Nurse with a MSN degree is $72,758 (2014).
If you are ready to investigate all your options for an MSN in Michigan, take some time to request more information from the nursing schools on this page.
MSN programs for Michigan nurses include:
- Grand Valley State University. Located in Grand Rapids, Grand Valley offers full and part-time MSN options, and helps prospective students locate the financial resources to fund graduate school. Grand Valley offers a generalized Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) MSN program.
- Wayne State University. Wayne State, located in Detroit, offers a wide variety of master’s-level nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist programs. However, due to the popularity of their programs, not all of them are accepting new students at any given time. Check with the university prior to applying to see if your desired specialty is accepting new students.
