Nursing Schools in Michigan

Located in Allendale, Michigan, Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is a public institution founded in 1960. Along with the Allendale main campus, GVSU has two satellite campuses in the surrounding area. The Allendale campus includes 1,322 acres of land. It is one of the largest universities in the state and one of the 100 largest universities in the country. During the Fall 2017 semester, the university served more than 25,000 students. GVSU offers more than 200 areas of study, including over 82 undergraduate majors. The university is comprised of eight colleges, including the Kirkhof College of Nursing. 

There are six nursing programs available at GVSU, including accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, BSN, MSN, DNP, and BSN to DNP programs. The nursing programs are accredited by the CCNE and offered at the Kirkhof College of Nursing (KCON). The traditional BSN program includes 1,260 clinical hours of experience at primary care and rehabilitation hospitals, along with other clinics throughout the region. The college also has their own learning labs that provide simulated clinical experience. The MSN program is an advanced generalist program that is completed over 7 semesters. Students must maintain a 3.0 or better grade point average. The courses are primarily offered at the Cook DeVos Center for Health Sciences, along with web-enhanced courses.

Ferris State University (FSU) is a public university in Big Rapids, Michigan. The university was founded in 1884 as the Big Rapids Industrial School. It is now the ninth-largest university in the state of Michigan. It served 14,560 students during the Fall 2017 semester. FSU includes on-campus and online courses covering over 170 educational programs. The university is comprised of 8 colleges. These colleges include the College of Health Professions, which houses the School of Nursing. The main campus is on the outskirts of Big Rapids and about four blocks away from the central business district. 

FSU offers five ACEN-accredited nursing programs, including three paths to earning a BSN. The undergraduate-level programs include a traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN program. For those interested in the BSN program, clinical experience is gained by working at nearby hospitals and healthcare facilities. The graduate-level programs include MSN and RN to MSN programs. The MSN program is offered entirely online, giving students that have already earned their BSN a convenient way to earn their master’s degree in nursing. The MSN program includes three concentrations, including Nursing Administration, Nursing Informatics, and Nursing Education. The DNP program is designed to be completed in two years. 

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) is a public institution offering both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The university is in Ypsilanti, Michigan which is about 35 miles west of Detroit. The university was founded as the Michigan State Normal School in 1849. It was the first normal school in Michigan and the first outside of the original 13 colonies. It is now comprised of seven schools and colleges, including the College of Health and Human Services. The campus has expanded over the years and includes over 120 buildings spread across 800 acres. The total enrollment for the 2017 school year was more than 23,000 students. 

Students wishing to enroll in a nursing program can choose from a traditional BSN, RN to BSN, and accelerated BSN program, depending on their existing education. The RN to BSN program is for registered nurses with at least a bachelor’s degree. The traditional BSN program requires students to complete general education requirements, which are typically completed during the freshman year. The school prefers to accept students into this program that have completed at least six months or more of paid work experience. This experience does not need to be a full-time job. However, the experience should be in a healthcare-related field. The school also offers two graduate-level programs, including an MSN program and a PhD program. These programs are all accredited by the CCNE.

The University of Michigan-Flint is a public institution and part of the University of Michigan System, which also includes a campus in Dearborn and the main campus in Ann Arbor. The university was established in 1956 as a satellite campus for the University of Michigan and classes were originally offered at the Flint Community Junior College campus. The university now has its own campus with several buildings located throughout the downtown Flint area. The first student dormitory for the university was opened for students in 2007. An additional residence hall was announced in 2015 that can house an additional 500 students.

The nursing programs are offered through the School of Nursing. Incoming freshman may apply for the traditional BSN program as a pre-nursing student. During their freshman year, students will complete prerequisite courses. This program is competitive, with up to 40 students being admitted each semester. Students receive clinical experience working at Flint-area hospitals and clinics and simulation training at a simulation lab. Besides the traditional BSN program, the school offers other nursing programs. These programs include an accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, DNP, BSN to DNP, MSN, and RN to MSN programs. These programs are all accredited by the CCNE. 

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (UM or U of M) is a public institution in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The university was originally in Detroit, where it was founded in 1817 as University of Michigania. In 1837, the university was moved to Ann Arbor on a 40-acre site that is now referred to as Central Campus. The university now owns over 584 major academic and research buildings. The university also partners with businesses and research institutions throughout the state, including partnerships with hospitals. The University of Michigan is the oldest university in Michigan and is widely-regarded as one of the top research universities in the nation. 

The University of Michigan School of Nursing offers six CCNE-accredited nursing programs. The undergrad programs include traditional BSN and accelerated BSN programs. The graduate programs include MSN, DNP, PhD, and BSN to PhD programs. While the University of Michigan is a large university, the nursing programs offer small class sizes. Clinical experience is mostly offered through the Clinical Learning Center – a state-of-the-art simulation lab with high-fidelity mannequins. The school also provide clinical placement, allowing students to work with experienced nursing and medical professionals at local healthcare facilities. The MSN programs include eight different specialty tracks, including specializations in acute, primary, or family care. 

The University of Detroit Mercy is a private institution in Detroit, Michigan. The university was founded in 1877 by the Society of Jesus. The original campus was located near the downtown area of Detroit. It now has three campuses in the city. The university is organized into seven colleges and schools, including the McAuley School of Nursing, and offers over 100 academic degrees. It is ranked as one of the top Midwestern regional universities and has received numerous awards and honors for the past decade. It is also one of the 28 universities that are members of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

The University of Detroit Mercy offers three undergraduate nursing programs and two graduate-level nursing programs. These CCNE-accredited programs include traditional BSN, accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. These programs offer small class sizes, with most classes containing between 5 and 19 students. The programs are also flexible. The university offers both full time and part time schedules, along with on-campus or off-campus learning. Many of the courses are offered online, while others include web-enhanced learning. Students gain real clinical experience through partnerships with major healthcare providers in the region, including the Detroit Health Department, Detroit Medical Center, and Henry Ford Health System.