Michigan has a lot of educational options when it comes to colleges and universities. For those looking to pursue a career in nursing, Michigan has some of the top programs in the country. Here are the best of the best.
- University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
- In-state tuition $15,262
- The University of Michigan is an incredibly well-known institution which makes sense that its BSN program is one of the best in the state. The University of Michigan has a highly competitive nursing program that creates a unique experience by immersing their students with the most trusted health care professionals. U of M provides immense possibilities being located next to one of the top hospitals in the world as well as an unlimited amount of research opportunities alongside the best in the field.
- University of Detroit Mercy
- In-state tuition $28,840 per year
- The University of Detroit Mercy is the largest Catholic private college in Michigan and is known for excellent academics including their leading BSN program. The program’s mission is to prepare nursing students to be the leaders in their field based on their educational foundation. Detroit Mercy’s main location in Detroit allows their nursing students access to the best research hospitals downtown.
- Hope College
- In-state tuition $34,010 per year
- Hope College is a small, but highly ranked national school located in downtown Holland. The program provides nursing students hands-on research experience and up to 500 hours of clinical experience by the time they graduate, preparing them for a competitive BSN career. Their nursing department boasts very high pass rates for nursing students taking their NCLEX and they state that 100% of graduates get a job after graduation.
- Calvin College
- In-state tuition $34,600 per year
- Calvin College is a private Christian college located in Grand Rapids with about 3,656 undergraduate students. Calvin has been listed as a top-rated nursing program throughout the years due to their access to Grand Rapids’ Medical Mile and study abroad programs with real-world clinic experience in third world countries. The BSN program is widely respected with high pass rates on the NCLEX exam and Calvin students having a track record of landing jobs in leading hospitals around the world.
- Michigan State University
- In-state tuition $14,460
- Michigan State University is a public research facility located in East Lansing with over 50,000 students. Best known for its athletics, Michigan State offers a world-renowned nursing program that only accepts a third of its applicants. Michigan State takes pride in this statistic: 100% of their nursing student pass the NCLEX, most on their first try. Surrounded by immense research facilities, nursing students are provided opportunities to push their clinical experience beyond the average program.
- Madonna University
- In-state tuition $21,900
- Madonna University is a small private Catholic university located in Livonia with under 3,000 students. Madonna’s nursing program is a unique 16 month accelerated program that promotes excellence and leadership in the nursing field. The BSN program will provide nursing students with the academic and learning experience required to solve today’s health care problems.
- Grand Valley State University
- In-state tuition $12,484
- Grand Valley State University is a growing university on the west side of that state that is well known for its competitive nursing program. The Kirkhof College of Nursing program is located at the heart of the Medical Mile located in downtown Grand Rapids which provides endless learning and career opportunities for nursing students. Kirkhof is consistently recognized for its innovative efforts and astonishing students that shape the nursing field.
- Oakland University
- In-state tuition $12,606
- Oakland University is a private research facility located in Rochester Hills with over 15,000 students. Oakland University’s School of Nursing prides itself on high-quality education that provides students with the best clinical experiences, careers, and access to the area’s best healthcare systems. The school emphasizes helping students achieve their nursing goals through rigorous courses and clinical experience to excel in their professional nursing career.
- Spring Arbor University
- In-state tuition $28,210
- Located in Spring Arbor Michigan, Spring Arbor University is a small private school with less than 2,000 students. Spring Arbor University’s nursing program aims to bring hope and healing into the lives of every patient their students encounter. Nursing students are trained to treat patients in a holistic manner through advanced simulations and clinical experiences.
- Davenport University
- In-state tuition $17,544
- Davenport University is a small private university located in Grand Rapids that offers a dynamic nursing program. Davenport’s nursing program is offered online and provides its nursing students with educational growth and development.
Career Options as a Nurse
Nursing is one of the fastest-growing professions in the world due to an increased demand for healthcare professionals. As a nurse, there are many routes people can take in their career such as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), or Registered Nurse (RN). You can also start as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and take a bridge program to move your way up the nursing hierarchy.
The education needed to become an LPN or LVN is by completing a state accepted program that takes about one year to earn. Licensed Practical and Vocational Nurses provide basic care but work under the direction of registered nurses because they do not hold a degree in nursing. In the United States, the median pay in 2020 for an LPN or LVN is $49,021 with a range between $44,577 and $54,844. An LPN’s typical working environment includes nursing homes, hospitals, physicians’ offices, and extended care facilities.
Registered Nurses (RN) take one of the three education paths; a bachelor’s degree in nursing, an associate’s degree in nursing, or a diploma from an approved institution. Registered Nurses coordinate patient care, supervise other nurses, monitor, record, and report patient systems, perform tests, and prepare patients for various exams. As a registered nurse a typical working environment can be in a hospital, nursing home, physician’s office, outpatient clinics, or a school. The median annual wage for a registered nurse in 2020 is $68,450 in the United States.
As the healthcare industry continues to grow, Michigan and other states will continue to need a greater stream of qualified nursing candidates. With an excellent employment outlook and solid pay, the nursing schools in Michigan stand an excellent chance to continue producing some of the country’s best nurses.