Hannah Pierce, BSN
June 26, 2025
Michigan’s nursing education landscape offers a full spectrum of pathways, from foundational credentials to advanced practice specializations. Whether you’re beginning your career as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), moving from Registered Nurse (RN) to a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), pursuing licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or training to become a Nurse Practitioner (NP), Michigan’s colleges, universities, and health systems provide rigorous coursework paired with immersive clinical experiences. With options for hands‑on rotations in metropolitan medical centers or flexible online modules, these programs prepare graduates to excel in the state’s diverse healthcare settings while positioning them for competitive salary opportunities across Michigan’s growing medical community.
Mount Pleasant, MI - Public 4-Year - cmich.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Central Michigan University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is accredited by CCNE and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam. It blends liberal arts, sciences, and nursing courses with hands-on clinical experience, emphasizing leadership, evidence-based practice, and culturally competent care. With pathways including traditional and RN-to-BSN options, it requires an ACT or SAT entrance exam for admission. Graduates are equipped for advanced nursing roles through a comprehensive curriculum.
Online Learning - Visit Website
Central Michigan University's online RN-to-BSN program allows registered nurses to complete their bachelor's in under 12 months. It requires an active RN license and a GPA of 2.5 or higher, focusing on leadership, evidence-based practice, and culturally competent care. No entrance exam is needed for this master's or doctorate level equivalent program, making it flexible for working professionals to advance their careers.
Online & Campus Based - Visit Website
The CMU-Mid Michigan College Joint Nursing Education Pathway (JNEP) is a hybrid program combining an ADN with an RN-to-BSN, ideal for advancing from an associate to a bachelor's degree. It emphasizes leadership, evidence-based practice, and systems thinking, preparing graduates for diverse healthcare settings. Admission requires an associate degree in nursing, with no entrance exam specified for this bachelor's level program, offering financial aid and flexibility for professionals.
Flint, MI - Public 4-Year - umflint.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
The University of Michigan-Flint's Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is accredited by CCNE and prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam through a comprehensive curriculum with hands-on clinical placements and a state-of-the-art simulation facility. Small class sizes and expert instructors foster a supportive environment, emphasizing evidence-based practice and leadership development. Admission is competitive and may require an ACT or SAT entrance exam, though specific requirements should be verified with the school. Financial aid and scholarships are available to assist with costs.
Detroit, MI - Private 4-year - udmercy.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
University of Detroit Mercy's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program integrates liberal arts with nursing courses, emphasizing whole-person development through hands-on clinical rotations starting in the sophomore year. It boasts a 96% NCLEX pass rate and 100% employment post-graduation, preparing students for ethical decision-making and leadership in nursing. As a campus-based program in Detroit, it is rooted in Jesuit and Mercy traditions and requires ACT or SAT for admission.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The Master's Entry Advanced Generalist Nursing (MEAGN) program at University of Detroit Mercy is Michigan's first, offering non-nurses with a bachelor's degree a fast track to nursing in under 20 months. It focuses on leadership in quality and safety, with strong job prospects and competitive salaries. Admission requires a 3.25 GPA, healthcare experience, and completion of 12 prerequisites; no entrance exam is mentioned as required.
Port Huron, MI - Public 2-Year - sc4.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
St. Clair County Community College in Port Huron, MI, offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN exam through a blend of theoretical coursework and hands-on clinical practice. Admission requires a minimum 2.7 GPA, completion of prerequisite courses, and a HESI entrance exam. The program admits students in fall and winter semesters, emphasizing affordable tuition and practical healthcare experience for aspiring registered nurses.
Campus Based - Visit Website
St. Clair County Community College provides an Associate Degree Nursing Transition program tailored for licensed healthcare professionals seeking career advancement. Featuring state-of-the-art simulation labs and ACEN accreditation, the curriculum integrates scientific knowledge with technical skills for real-world nursing roles. Admission includes a mandatory advising session and preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam, but no entrance exam is specified beyond prerequisites. This campus-based program focuses on high-quality, affordable education with experienced faculty.
Detroit, MI - Public 4-Year - wayne.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Wayne State University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Detroit prepares students for urban health challenges with high state licensure exam pass rates. It offers multiple pathways including Traditional BSN, Direct Admit, Second Career/Degree, Veterans, and RN to BSN, supported by expert faculty and CCNE accreditation. As a bachelor's program, it may require ACT or SAT for admission, though specifics vary by pathway.
Campus Based - Visit Website
The BSN Direct Admit program at Wayne State University provides first-year students direct entry into nursing, focusing on urban health in Detroit with rigorous academics and hands-on experience. Graduates achieve high licensure exam pass rates. Admission for this bachelor's program likely requires ACT or SAT scores.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Tailored for individuals with a prior bachelor's degree, Wayne State's BSN Second Career/Degree program in Detroit emphasizes urban health and practical skills, leading to high licensure exam success. As a bachelor's pathway, ACT or SAT may be required for admission.
Campus Based - Visit Website
Designed for U.S. military veterans, Wayne State's BSN for Veterans program in Detroit leverages military experience into nursing careers, focusing on urban health and high licensure exam pass rates. Admission for this bachelor's program may necessitate ACT or SAT scores.
Michigan’s LPN programs combine classroom instruction in anatomy, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with supervised clinical rotations in hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and community clinics. Students gain practical experience administering medications, monitoring vital signs, and assisting with patient recovery under professional supervision. After passing the NCLEX‑PN exam and obtaining Michigan licensure, graduates step into roles that support RNs and physicians, easing staffing pressures. By strengthening the practical nursing workforce across both Detroit’s urban centers and rural communities, these programs help ensure statewide access to quality care.
Michigan’s CNA offerings span six to twelve weeks, blending classroom instruction on infection control, anatomy fundamentals, and patient safety with supervised clinical practicums. Learners practice mobility support, feeding assistance, and routine vital‑sign monitoring, all while refining communication with nursing teams. Once certified, graduates support daily care operations in both urban hospitals and rural health centers. Their contributions bolster patient comfort and free nurses for specialized tasks.
Michigan’s RN to BSN programs pair self‑paced online modules in nursing leadership, population health, informatics and policy with supervised clinical practicums across both major health systems and community hospitals statewide. Tailored for practicing RNs, these bridge pathways come in part‑time and accelerated formats so you can continue working while earning your degree. Completing a BSN deepens expertise in evidence‑based practice and team coordination, aligns with employer and accreditation expectations for baccalaureate‑prepared nurses, and unlocks opportunities in specialty certification, management and public health roles. By advancing their education, Michigan’s nurses help strengthen patient care and meet the state’s diverse healthcare needs.
Michigan’s Nurse Practitioner programs advance a BSN-prepared nurse through a blend of rigorous graduate coursework and immersive clinical residencies, typically completed in two to four years, in concentrations such as family practice, women’s health, and psychiatric-mental health. Offered through on-campus, hybrid, and fully online formats at universities and health systems statewide, these MSN and DNP tracks ready nurses for APRN certification and Michigan licensure. Graduates step into roles as primary care providers, chronic disease managers, and telehealth specialists in urban centers like Detroit and Grand Rapids, as well as in underserved rural health clinics and tribal facilities. By bolstering the workforce of expert clinicians, NP programs are instrumental in enhancing access to comprehensive care and improving patient outcomes throughout Michigan.
Degree | Typical Length | Prerequisites | Outcome / Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) | ~2 years | High school diploma or GED | Common entry, especially in rural areas, BSN preferred in major hospitals |
RN Diploma | 2-3 years | High school diploma or GED | No longer offered in Michigan |
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) | 4 years (12-18 months accelerated) | High school diploma or ADN transfer | BSN-in-10 requirement, BSN-prepared nurses preferred by large health systems |
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) | 2 years (post-BSN) | BSN + RN license | Prepares for advanced roles, NPs require physician collaboration |
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) | 3-6 years (post-BSN or post-MSN) | BSN or MSN + RN license | Highest degree, DNP-prepared NPs remain under reduced practice laws |
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