Maria Delgado, RN
June 4, 2025
Michigan depends on Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to provide critical patient care services across various healthcare facilities throughout the state. LPNs represent trained nursing professionals who provide fundamental nursing services while tracking patient wellness along with helping registered nurses and doctors with their everyday work. The state of Michigan hosts LPNs in hospitals together with long-term care facilities, home health agencies, and community clinics. Practical nursing in Michigan provides meaningful work opportunities with promising job security along with career growth possibilities which make it an attractive nursing profession entry point.
Port Huron, MI - Public 2-Year - sc4.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
St. Clair County Community College's Practical Nursing program prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses through a comprehensive curriculum that includes hands-on experience in diverse settings like hospitals and long-term care. Admission is competitive, based on GPA, HESI scores, and healthcare experience, with no concentration specified. The program emphasizes NCLEX exam preparation, offers financial aid and scholarships, and builds a strong foundation in patient care for a rewarding nursing career.
Scottville, MI - Public 2-Year - westshore.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
West Shore Community College's Practical Nursing Certificate is a two-semester, campus-based program that prepares students to become Licensed Practical Nurses. It emphasizes hands-on clinical training in medical-surgical, pediatric, and obstetric nursing, requiring a minimum 75% grade average for admission. With 34 credit hours covering anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and psychology, graduates gain strong foundational skills for diverse healthcare roles. No entrance exam is specified for this certificate-level program.
Grand Rapids, MI - Private 4-year - davenport.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Davenport University's Practical Nursing Diploma program is a 46-credit, campus-based offering approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing and accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission. It prepares students for LPN licensure with a strong focus on nursing processes, pharmacology, nutrition, and hands-on clinical practice across all age groups, including adult, pediatric, geriatric, and mental health care. Admission requires completion of specific biology courses at Davenport with a C+ or better, emphasizing critical thinking and communication skills. This military-friendly program ensures graduates are ready for diverse healthcare settings without requiring entrance exams like ACT or SAT, as it is a diploma-level program.
Battle Creek, MI - Public 2-Year - kellogg.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
Kellogg Community College in Battle Creek, MI, provides a campus-based Practical Nursing Certificate program that prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam and LPN licensure. Offering full-time and part-time options, it features state-of-the-art simulation labs for hands-on learning, accredited by ACEN with high pass rates. The curriculum meets Michigan Board of Nursing standards, focusing on patient-centered care, professional ethics, and diverse clinical experiences. Graduates are ready for roles in hospitals and long-term care, with pathways for further education. No concentration is specified, and entrance exams are not required for this certificate-level program.
Petoskey, MI - Public 2-Year - ncmich.edu
Campus Based - Visit Website
North Central Michigan College's Practical Nurse Certificate program is a campus-based, three-semester sequence beginning each January. It requires a 2.0 GPA and recent science coursework, with no entrance exam needed. Emphasizing hands-on clinical training across diverse healthcare settings, it prepares students for the NCLEX-PN exam. Financial aid and scholarships support eligible candidates, and enrollment operates on a first-come, first-served basis with cohorts of 40 students.
The state of Michigan prohibits fully online LPN programs because nursing education requires direct patient interaction. Several institutions provide hybrid learning options which let students finish their theoretical studies through online courses but require attendance in-person for laboratory sessions and clinical work. Students with work or family responsibilities find hybrid programs suitable because they offer flexible scheduling options. Some colleges provide evening and weekend LPN programs that require a bit more time but allow students to handle their schedules more easily.
| School Name | Highlights | Retention & Grad Rates |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe County Community College |
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| North Central Michigan College |
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| Kalamazoo Valley Community College |
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| Certifying Board | Michigan Board of Nursing, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs |
|---|---|
| Certification | NCLEX-PN via Pearson VUE |
| Educational Prerequisite | Graduation from an approved practical nursing program with official transcripts or School Certification Form |
| Application & Fees | $212.90 application/licensure fee and $200 NCLEX exam fee, fingerprint-based state & FBI background check, completion of human trafficking and implicit bias training |
| Processing Time | Authorization to Test in about 2 weeks, licensure typically issued 6–8 weeks after passing the exam |
| License Renewal | Biennial renewal every two years with a $131 fee and a 60-day grace period |
| Continuing Competency | 25 contact hours per renewal cycle, including required modules in pain management and human trafficking |
| Licensure by Endorsement | Same application fee, verification of active unrestricted LPN license, official transcripts or certification form, fingerprint background check, proof of recent practice or completion of a board-approved refresher. |
LPNs working in Michigan receive salaries that match the industry standards and have many job openings throughout the state. The 2025 average LPN salary in Michigan will be between $55,000 to $65,000 depending on the experience level, work environment, and location. LPNs who work in urban hospitals and specialized clinics earn higher salaries than those working in rural areas and long-term care facilities. Employers offer additional compensation beyond stable pay to their employees through health insurance coverage, paid time off, and tuition reimbursement for additional education. The LPN profession continues to have favorable job prospects because of rising healthcare needs combined with population aging.
| Salary & Career Outlook | Michigan | USA |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual LVN Salary | $56,562 | $62,340 |
| Avg Hourly Wage | $27.00 | $29.97 |
| 90th Percentile Salary | >$63,213 | $80,510 |
| Median Salary | $56,562 | $62,340 |
| 10th Percentile Salary | <$50,987 | $47,960 |
| Projected Job Growth (2022–2032) | 3% | 3% |
| Annual Job Openings | ~5,950 | ~54,000 |
| School Name | Highlights | Annual Estimated Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Macomb Community College |
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| North Central Michigan College |
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| Delta College |
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The state of Michigan provides LPNs with several career advancement possibilities through additional education and specialization. The path to RN licensure through LPN-to-RN bridge programs leads students to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree in nursing which enables them to become registered nurses. The programs validate past learning achievements which results in a shorter duration needed to achieve RN certification. LPNs can obtain specialized certifications in IV therapy and gerontology along with wound care and pharmacology. The acquisition of specialized credentials enables LPNs to secure more advanced positions which generate higher salaries. Long-term care facilities have LPNs who advance to leadership positions that include charge nurse and team leader roles.
Additional Nursing Programs in Michigan
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