Master’s in Nursing Schools in Michigan

Made up of two peninsulas, Michigan communities have unique health care needs that must be addressed by health care professionals. The state is full of remote rural communities that may not have access to affordable health care. With a Master’s degree in nursing, you can tackle these problems from multiple angles. As a direct care nurse, you can get into these communities and help patients. If you go into policy or leadership, you can affect change from the top. As a nurse educator, you can increase the amount of health care professionals in the state. If you are set to earn your MSN Michigan offers several routes to meet your goals.

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Working With Your MSN in Michigan

Are you currently working as a registered nurse in Michigan but are interested in furthering your career in the medical field? With a master’s degree in nursing, your possibilities for an advanced career are nearly limitless. There are a few careers in Michigan listed below that are in need of nurses with an advanced nursing degree.

There is a great need for nursing educators throughout the state of Michigan. The Michigan Department of Technology, Management, & Budget notes that registered nurses hold the number-one spot on Michigan’s Hot 50 jobs. However, the nursing shortage continues. Experts in the field believe that the problem is due to a lack of faculty at Michigan’s colleges and universities. Whether you want to teach at the Associate’s degree or Bachelor’s degree level, a Master’s degree in nurse education can help you combat the shortage in Michigan.

If you would rather go into direct care or nursing policy, you can address the problems faced by many of Michigan’s rural areas. The Michigan Department of Community Health notes that much of Michigan is considered a Health Professional Shortage Area or a Medically Underserved Area. With a Master’s degree in nursing policy or leadership, you can come up with solutions that bring nurses and nurse practitioners to these areas. With a Master’s degree in advanced practice nursing, you may be able to directly serve these areas.

Nurse midwives not only see to all aspects of pregnancy and the birthing process, but they also provide primary care to women in the form of gynecological exams as well as family planning. Due to the risks of childbirth, decision-making in emergency situations is a great quality to have. You may find yourself working in a hospital, clinic, health department, or private setting as a CNM.

Nurse practitioners are a valuable addition to primary care. Nurse practitioners can perform many of the same duties a primary physician would, such as analyze patient history and symptoms, diagnose minor illnesses, and prescribe medications for treatment (within limitations).

With the recent healthcare reform, the job outlook for nurses with advanced degrees is expected to rise. Positioning yourself in the job market with an advanced nursing degree may potentially lead to career advancement and an increase in pay. Check out the MSN degree programs that are available to you!

Nursing Schools in Michigan

University of Michigan-Dearborn
Dearborn, MI

What You Can Expect From Your MSN Program

The Action Coalition of Michigan recognizes the changes that are occurring in healthcare and understands that nurses are at the center of ensuring these changes are positive. The MI Action Coalition is working to advance nursing education pathways so nurses can deliver an improved level of high-quality care by earning higher degrees as seamlessly as possible. If you are ready to get your Master’s in Nursing in MI, contact the schools you find on our site to learn more about your options for study.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists nursing among the top occupations in America due to the nursing shortage and the demand for more nursing professionals as the healthcare system becomes more complex. This is an ideal time to return to school if you want to advance your career in by getting your graduate nursing degree.

Michigan has some excellent online MSN programs, as well as campus based options to choose from. There are many new types of MSN degrees available today. Some of the degrees you might consider include; Nursing and Health Services Administration, Gerontological Clinical Nurse, Infant Child Adolescent Health/Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Midwife and Nursing Informatics. There are also dual programs offered at some universities broadening your reach and impact even further.

The admission criteria for Master’s in nursing programs in Michigan can include many or all of the following requirements.

Earned BS in nursing
Minimum GPA of 3.0
GRE only required if your cumulative GPA is between 3.0 and 3.25
Work experience as an RN is not required
All official transcripts from any college or university attended
Three letters or recommendations from individuals who at least have a master’s degree in the healthcare field
Resumé
Personal statement of one page stating your professional and educational goals
English proficiency exam if English is not your first language (TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB)
Applicants must have completed an undergraduate or graduate statistics course

Many nurses looking to enter advanced practice choose to go nurse practitioner route. There are several different foci to choose from, and some of the most impactful are those that are in primary care. The Primary Care Family Nurse Practitioner Program (FNP) provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to deliver cutting edge, community-based primary health care. Health promotion and development are strongly promoted in this program. The curriculum for an FNP program usually requires around 60 credit hours and 600+ clinical hours.

The nursing curriculum to become a FNP usually includes:

Models, Theories and Methods to Promote Optimal Health Outcomes
Reporting Optimal Models and Systems for Healthcare Delivery
Scientific and Analytic Approaches for Advance Practice
Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology Across the Lifespan
Advanced Health Assessment for Advance Practice Nurses
Health Promotion and Or risk Reduction Across the Lifespan
Common Pediatric Health Problems
Infant, Child and Adolescent Health: Wellness
Advanced Primary Care Nursing: Health Promotion and Management of Acute Health Problems of Adults and Well Women/GYN Care
Critical Elements and the Study of Family and Health
Nursing Care of Childbearing Families (Antepartum Care)
Primary Care of Older Adults
Advanced Primary Care Nursing of Chronic Illness in Adults and They are Families
Behavioral and Lifestyle Management in Primary Care
Advanced Primary Care Nursing of Families in Complex Systems
Pharmacotherapeutics I, II

The American Nurses Credentialing Center offers a credential exam following successful graduation. This exam is competency based, and with it, employers can be certain that you have the knowledge and skills required as a family nurse practitioner. The cost of the exam for American Nursing Association members is $270, and it is $395 for non-members.

As of May 2013 Family Nurse Practitioners in Michigan earned a mean annual income of $95,070 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This well-paying job is growing in numbers and can offer you both job security and satisfaction if this is your career choice.

If you need financial assistance for tuition, you should take time to complete the FAFSA application at the Financial Aid Office at your university, which is a Federal grant program. Michigan also has Student Financial Services Bureau that can be a resource for scholarships and grants.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing has a webpage with a list of financial aid sources, and several are specific for graduate education. The Health Resources and Services Administration is another source of low-interest loans, long term loans. There is a loan repayment program that is listed under Nurse Corps, which allows you to work at your career in one of their thousands of nonprofit hospitals or clinics for two years, which can result in 60 percent of your unpaid student loan being be paid off.

Graduating from a master’s program for nursing can advance the career of your choice, earn you the respect of your peers and help bolster the field of nursing overall. Take some time to request program information today so you can begin to make a well informed decision about which path to take as you advance your nursing education and career.

Michigan RN to MSN Bridge Programs

Whether you live in the Lower Peninsula or the Upper Peninsula, becoming a nurse can help you make a big difference in Michigan health care. While you may serve the state’s large cities as a nurse in the Lower Peninsula, you may care for people in some of Michigan’s most remote communities in the Upper Peninsula. As Michigan moves to legislate care standards for advanced nurse practitioners, now may be an excellent time to attend an RN-to-MSN program in this state. With a Master’s degree in Nursing, you may be able to take on more advanced roles in practice, research, leadership, or education. Keep reading to learn more about this degree option, then contact the Michigan schools with RN to MSN bridge programs to get detailed information.

The courses you take as an RN-to-MSN student are meant to help you complete a set of learning outcomes laid out by your nursing program. You may be expected to develop a strong understanding of nursing research and be able to apply it to you practice in different ways. For those who go into advanced practice, you may need to prove your ability to communicate with patients in an efficient way and apply ethical practices to your work. Leadership skills may also be put to the test in an MSN program, since you may be expected to be a leader in your local nursing community after earning your graduate nursing degree.

To meet your school’s learning outcomes, you must choose a learning path that leads to the career of your choice. Popular clinical choices include nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, and nurse anesthetist. Nursing leadership and administration may be good choices if you want to take on a management role within the health care setting. You may wish to become a nurse educator if you want to teach undergraduate students in the nursing field.

Your curriculum may include courses like Statistics for the Health Care Professional, Pathophysiology for Advanced Practice Nurses, and Role Development for the Advanced Practice Nurse. You may also take classes like Clinical Decision Making, Health Care Policy and Politics, and Curricular Design in Nursing Education.

Due to Michigan’s nursing shortage, there are many grants and scholarships open to those who want to advance their careers in nursing. The Michigan Nursing Scholarship is offered by the Michigan state government through the Department of Student Aid. Through the Michigan Center for Nursing, you may apply for over one dozen scholarships. Another popular resource is the Michigan Nurses Foundation, which awards scholarships to students in good academic standing.

You may find that the job outlook in Michigan is fairly positive once you complete your Master’s degree. With a Master’s degree, you may be able to take on more responsibility, work more independently, and take on more specialized tasks within a health care setting. Since many nurses go into an RN-to-MSN program while working as nurses, your new degree may allow you to move up within your own organization as well.

Keep in mind that you must keep your RN license valid through the Michigan Board of Nursing at all times. In fact, depending on which specialty you choose, you may even need an advanced license. Professions that require additional licensure in Michigan include those of the nurse practitioner (APRN), nurse midwife (CNM), and nurse anesthetist (CRNA).

Earning an MSN can take some time and work, but it may pay off in many ways. Not only can you positively impact your career path, you may have a great influence on the nursing community of Michigan as well. Contact the schools with RN-to-MSN bridge programs in Michigan to learn more about your options.

Michigan Direct Entry MSN

If you have a bachelor’s degree and you’re ready to make a career change, the field of nursing is waiting for you! You don’t need a bachelor’s degree in nursing or any experience in the field to start working towards an MSN. Michigan’s direct entry MSN programs make the most of your bachelor’s degree and allow you to progress to your Master of Science in Nursing within first completing a seperate BSN program.

To find programs that allow you to earn your MSN while considering credits from your previous non-nursing degree, have a look at the schools on our site. You can request program materials to learn more.

These degree programs are fairly fast-paced, so you can get started in your new career relatively quickly. In most cases, these programs typically last between 18 and 36 months. Plan on working over 40 hours per week to meet your school’s clinical and classroom requirements.

Before you can build your graduate-level nursing skills and understanding of nursing theories, you need to become a registered nurse (RN). This is why the early semesters of your curriculum will focus on BSN courses. Required courses include Nursing Concepts and Interventions, Family Centered Nursing, Theoretical Foundations of Nursing, and Health Promotion. As you may expect, these courses focus heavily on clinical work, which may include over 600 clinical hours of practice.

Graduate-level courses are designed to give you a deeper understanding of nursing theory, expand your knowledge of health care systems, and give you the skills you need to work in a variety of nursing settings. Theory courses you may take include Graduate Pathophysiology, Graduate Pharmacology, and Graduate Epidemiology. Courses that focus on hands-on experience and clinical work include Management of Acute/Chronic Problems, Advanced Practice Care, and Mental Health for Advanced Practice.

If you choose a field other than nurse midwifery, nurse practitioner, or nurse anesthesia, your practical hours may take place in a non-clinical setting. Nursing education students will likely finish their training in ADN or BSN courses, working with student. Nurse executives may work in an administrative setting. Those who go into nurse research may spend much of their time in a laboratory.

In the field of nursing, there are many scholarships, and other financial aid opportunities that can make your education more affordable. The Michigan Center for Nursing offers over one dozen scholarships. The Michigan Nurses Foundation funds at least four scholarships each year, each one worth at least $1,000. Each academic year, the Michigan League for Nursing awards scholarships to high-performing nursing students.

Different nursing careers have different licensing requirements, so make sure that you’re following all the laws before you start your career! The Michigan Board of Nursing oversees nurses’ careers and licenses. Non-clinical specialties, such as administration and research, do not have special licenses. Each clinical specialty, from nurse practitioner to nurse anesthetist, has its own licensing process. Typically, you have to pass a rigorous exam and register as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse.

Michigan salaries tend to be slightly higher than national averages, though they can vary between the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula.

Earning an MSN can yield many benefits for you and for your community. Personally, you may find great career satisfaction and challenging career opportunities in nursing. Meanwhile, your dedication to the field and to your nursing specialty can enhance the field of nursing. Request information from the schools you see here to learn more about direct entry MSN programs in Michigan.

Michigan CRNA Programs

As you become more experienced as a registered nurse, you may find yourself developing a strong set of clinical practice skills and working with patients from a variety of backgrounds with many different medical needs. This work experience may help you explore further career options. If you are ready to use your Bachelor’s degree in nursing in a new career, you may want to learn more about the field of nurse anesthesia in Michigan.

Nurse anesthetists have been in official use for well over 150 years. The title of Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)—a title you must have to work as a nurse anesthetist in Michigan—came about in 1956. With Michigan’s abundance of rural communities, CRNAs are particularly important in this state. Many rural communities rely solely on nurse anesthetists for their anesthetic needs, as the cost of an anesthesiologist may be prohibitive.

Are you wondering if you’re a good fit for this highly specialized nursing career? If you are detail-oriented, highly focused, and dedicated to ensuring that patients have a good experience, you may succeed in the field of nurse anesthesia. If you’re ready to explore this career option further, contact the schools listed below to learn more about CRNA schools in Michigan.

Admissions and Curriculum for CRNA Programs in Michigan

The journey to becoming a nurse anesthetist begins with applying to CRNA schools. To qualify for admission, you need a Bachelor’s degree in nursing. In addition, you may need relevant nursing experience that’s fairly recent. Most schools require at least one year of full-time nursing experience in critical care or emergency care, but quite a few programs require more. Typically, CRNA programs last approximately two to three years, depending on whether or not you take classes year-round. Be prepared to study full-time, as few programs have part-time options. During your time in school, you may earn well over 50 credits in various nurse anesthesia courses.

Before you can begin working with patients and building your core set of anesthesia skills, you have to have a thorough background in this field and its history. Your education may begin with classes like Advanced Physiology, Research Methodology, Principles of Anesthesia, and Technology & Instrumentation in Anesthesia Care. As you proceed through your curriculum, you may enroll in advanced courses like Advanced Pharmacology of Anesthesia, Clinical Anesthesia Practicum, and Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing. These courses have intensive clinical requirements. In order to graduate and be eligible for certification, you must work with no fewer than 550 patients throughout the duration of your education. You may work underneath anesthesiologists and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists while completing your clinical requirements.

As Michigan’s need for advanced practice nurses continues to grow, a growing number of organizations and employers have begun to offer scholarships to advanced nursing students. The Michigan Nurses Foundation funds scholarships of $1,000 each school year. The Michigan Center for Nursing is another local resource with numerous scholarship options. The Michigan Nursing Scholarship is offered through the state government to students who demonstrate financial need and academic ability.

Working as a Nurse Anesthetist in Michigan

Once you’ve completed your Master’s degree in nurse anesthesia, you can begin the process of getting your license to practice in this state. This goes through the Michigan Board of Nursing. They require you to earn your certification from the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists before applying for licensure. With a valid certificate, you can submit your test scores, your certification, and your transcript to the Board of Nursing for consideration.

One of the benefits of becoming a nurse anesthetist is the strong professional community you can join. The Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists provides professional support to CRNAs at various stages of their careers. You may be able to further your career with continuing education, learn about career opportunities in your region, and attend networking events to build connections with other nurse anesthetists.

You may find that starting this career can change your life while helping you contribute to the nursing community of Michigan. It may allow you to build strong connections with patients, serve as a leader in your health care organization, and use your expertise to strengthen patient care standards throughout the state. In addition, advancing your education in this manner may give you the chance to work in settings that would otherwise not be available to you.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your nursing career, now is the time to begin. With our school listings, you can reach out to CRNA schools in Michigan to learn more.

Clinical Nurse Leader Degrees in Michigan

At many Michigan hospitals and clinics, patient numbers are higher than they have ever been. With the Affordable Care Act, some patients are getting much-needed medical care for the first time in their lives or after a long break without insurance.

With these changes in the health care field, the demands being placed on the nursing industry are also evolving. Nurse leaders who can take charge in clinical situations, analyze and properly use the latest research, and manage other nurses are in high demand.

As Michigan faces new health threats, nurse leaders with strong communication skills are an essential part of any health care team. Chickenpox diagnosis rates are increasing throughout Michigan, creating a push to improve chickenpox vaccination rates among children (WZZM). Patients must be able to communicate with health professionals they trust when making care decisions for their children.

Perhaps you are ready to take your nursing career one step further and explore new responsibilities. If this sounds like you, request information from Master’s in nurse leadership programs in Michigan.

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How Can I Become a Clinical Nurse Leader in Michigan?

There are several steps involved in becoming a nurse leader in Michigan. As you check out your options, note that there are different program titles for nurse leadership and nurse management. However, if you want to become certified as a Clinical Nurse Leader, the program you choose must be approved by the AANC.

The journey to a nurse leadership degree typically takes about two years, since you must earn an average of 33 credits. These credits may come from courses like Promoting Optimal Models and Systems for Health Care Delivery, Effective Resource and Operations Management, Policy Analysis and Development for Health Care Leaders, Organizational Science in Nursing, and Assessment for Population Health.

Depending on the school you choose, you may also need to meet clinical requirements. Some programs require 500 or more clinical hours in approved settings, while others do not include clinical work at all. Consulting with program advisors and instructors can help you decide which program option best suits you.

The more you learn, the more you should understand what it means to be a nurse leader and how you can fulfill this role in a Michigan facility. Your nursing skills are a good foundation for knowing how to react quickly and appropriately to emergency situations, analyze and interpret nursing research, lead interpersonal teams, and assess the impact of different interventions and procedures on patient outcomes.

A current nursing license is required to work as a Clinical Nurse Leader. The Michigan Board of Nursing requires renewal every two years. Each cycle, you must complete 25 hours of continuing education, at least one of which focuses on pain and symptom management.

Once you’ve met the education and experience requirements of the AACN, you can apply for CNL certification. To maintain this title, complete 50 hours of continuing education every five years and renew your license every five years.

What Does a Clinical Nurse Leader Do?

While looking at job listings and job descriptions, you may wonder what it means to be a Clinical Nurse Leader, particularly when job listings are often for nurse managers, nurse executives, or nurse leaders.

The scope of practice of a CNL is defined by the AACN. They note the importance of staff management and administrative work in nursing, but indicate that the primary responsibility of a Clinical Nurse Leader is clinical in nature.

While you may still be actively involved in your department’s nursing team, it is likely that you’ll take on more of a leadership position. This may involve direct management of other registered nurses. In addition, you made take on more independent care responsibilities. Nurse leaders often create care plans for patients. To properly carry out this duty, you must always be current on nursing research and evidence.

Furthermore, your daily interactions with nursing professionals should work to advance the nursing industry. By encouraging ongoing training and education, you can create a culture of excellence in your facility.

When you take on a leadership position, it is extremely important to be engaged in the nursing community. Consider joining a group like the Michigan Organization of Nurse Executives. Getting involved early in your career gives you the chance to make a name for yourself and build professional connections.

Are you ready for a career change that benefits you and the patients you serve? Make your move now and learn more at graduate nurse leadership programs in Michigan.

Michigan Research Nursing Graduate Programs

Michigan has an active, robust nursing community that employs thousands of nursing professionals. While fulfilling your registered nursing role, you may have started to learn about the different career paths that exist in the nursing industry. While patient care is extremely rewarding, you may be ready to use your knowledge and years of experience in a new and more academic way.

Like many other states, Michigan is building up its nursing research industry, knowing that this is the way to reduce costs in coming years. Contributing to this growing body of research may give you the chance to positively affect thousands of patients and nursing professionals. The experience you have as a registered nurse is invaluable to this particular career path, since you know exactly what patients need and the challenges that Michigan nurses face. Michigan is home to many dedicated research centers, including Henry Ford Nursing Research Council.

If you want to find out how you can get involved in this field, keep reading to learn more about research nursing graduate programs in Michigan.

Michigan Graduate Degree Programs in Nursing Research

Nursing research is an in-depth Master’s degree program that is intended for graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in nursing and several years of full-time nursing experience. Most of these programs run full-time, so you need to ensure that you can adjust your work schedule accordingly. While studying full-time, you can anticipate graduating in two to three years after completing your required 30 to 40 credits.

The courses that you are required to take at this level of nursing instruction tackle many of the core concepts and goals of the nursing industry. As you advance your knowledge of health care, you can learn more about research protocols and procedures. Some of the courses you may take as an advanced nursing student include Research Design and Statistics, Knowledge Synthesis in Nursing Science, Ethical and Legal Issues in Research, Theories of Nursing Research, Health and Health Behaviors, and Conceptual Foundations of Clinical Researchers.

You may contribute quite a bit to nursing research as a student, since you must get experience with different types of studies in a variety of settings. Most Michigan schools require you to spend at least 300 hours participating in research prior to graduation.

The nursing community of Michigan supports advanced students in several different ways. You may qualify for different types of financial aid as a graduate degree student. Consider using the Michigan Center for Nursing as a scholarship resource throughout your graduate degree.

The Role of Clinical Nurse Researchers in Michigan

As a clinical nurse researcher, it is important to realize the possible impact of your research. Nursing research is used to make policy decisions in Michigan. For example, there is a large body of nursing research supporting the current push to increase the scope of practice for nurse practitioners in Michigan.

Having clearly outlined goals can help you direct the course of your research career.
The demand for nurse researchers is growing in many areas, particularly in cities with large colleges and universities.

The work that you can do in clinical research can shape the nursing industry for years to come. Find out what your options are by reaching out to nurse research programs in Michigan.

Michigan Certified Nurse Midwife Programs

If you’re dedicated to the field of nursing, there may be several ways that you can expand your career and take your practice to the next level. When you’ve gained experience as a registered nurse and you’re ready to further your education, consider becoming a certified nurse midwife and serving the women of Michigan.

Contact the schools offering nurse midwife programs in Michigan to learn more about your options.

Nurse midwives can address the needs of female patients in a variety of ways. As a nurse midwife, you may have the freedom to offer personalized care to women of all ages. That may involve administering or prescribing medications, offering preventative or well-woman care, and caring for women during pregnancy and delivery. In this career path, you can change the face of childbearing and give women choices. If you’re interested in taking your career to the next level, you can keep reading to learn more about certified nurse midwife programs in Michigan, then request information from schools directly from our site.

Becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife in Michigan

Nurse midwifery is a specialized nursing field, so you have to meet fairly rigorous educational expectations before you can start working independently. To work efficiently as an advanced nursing professional, you must have graduate-level training in research, leadership, woman-focused health problems, and advanced clinical procedures.

To earn a Master’s degree in nursing, you have to spend two to four years in a graduate program. Throughout the course of your education, you may earn between 30 and 40 credits. This involves completing more than 1,000 hours of clinical work in clinics, hospitals, and other health care settings.

The curriculum you follow should build on your existing nursing knowledge. In the early stages of your training, you may take classes like Principles of Health Promotion, Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Evidence-Based Practice, and Advanced Pathophysiology. Some of the courses you may take that are unique to a CNM program include Midwifery Care During Labor and Birth, Midwifery Care During Pregnancy, and Midwifery Care During the Postpartum Period. You may also study primary care procedures for women and pharmacology.

As a CNM student, you should learn about a breadth of procedures that are used in women’s health care. For example, you may learn about and perform pelvic exams, cervical checks, physical exams, common birth interventions, and diagnostic tests.

Financial aid may be a crucial part of your school choice, particularly if you have student loans from your undergraduate nursing degree. Spending some time on your financial aid search every year may help you discover new opportunities and programs. The Michigan Nursing Scholarship is a state-funded scholarship that is awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. Other organizations and associations fund financial aid options. The Michigan Center for Nursing is a popular resource, as is the Michigan League for Nursing.

Working as a Certified Nurse Midwife in Michigan

The field of nursing as a whole is growing rapidly, and so too is the demand for nurse midwives.

Before you can start as a certified nurse midwife, you have to meet the licensing and certification laws of Michigan. First, you may obtain national certification by passing the nurse midwife exam administered by the American Midwifery Certification Board. However, to legally work in Michigan, you must get an advanced practice license through the Michigan Board of Nursing. An advanced practice license expands your scope of practice to reflect your higher level of education.

Nurse midwifery is a growing field with room for passionate care providers who care about women’s medical needs. Make your mark by reaching out to certified nurse midwife programs in Michigan.

Michigan Clinical Nurse Specialist Programs

Michigan is a state with a prominent health care industry. It has been successful in many ways, but it also has many opportunities for growth and improvement. As a registered nurse, you’ve likely already done a lot to improve health care in your community. If you want to use your experience and knowledge to have an even greater impact on your statewide nursing community, you may want to look into advanced nursing degrees.

Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) degrees are available in Michigan, and are a great route into advanced practice. Contact the schools on our site that offer CNS programs to learn more.

If you opt to become a clinical nurse specialist, you may have a huge opportunity to strengthen the field of nursing. Whether you want to conduct research, spend time working one-on-one with patients, or teach other health care professionals important techniques and medical standards. Clinical nurse specialists in a nursing home have developed plans to strengthen memory, minimize depression, and improve patient outcomes for long-term residents. You may choose from a variety of specialties and determine the course of your own career.

Becoming a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Michigan

Check into a variety of local clinical nurse specialist programs to ensure that you meet their admissions requirements. Most CNS programs require an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, but some schools do look for students with GPAs of 3.5 or higher. In addition, relevant experience is a must. At least one full year of nursing experience with child or adult patients is typically recommended. Furthermore, you must have a valid nursing license in the state of Michigan in order to complete your clinical hours.

As you peruse the curriculum for your clinical nurse specialist program, you may find that you take advanced courses in many different areas of nursing. This is necessary because of the many roles that clinical nurse specialists fill. You may have to take classes like Epidemiology, Research for Health Professionals, Epidemiology, and Nursing Concepts & Theories are common core courses. Courses that specifically cater to CNS students include Outcomes Performance Management, Health Policy Issues, Health Care Financing, Advanced Physiology and Pathophysiology, and Advanced Health Assessment.

Don’t underestimate the importance of clinical work as a CNS student. From hospitals to clinics and specialty wings, you must get many types of experience before graduating. Many programs in Michigan include well over 500 hours of clinical work.

Michigan’s employers, associations, and government agencies support nursing students through grants, scholarships, and loan forgiveness programs.

The Michigan Nursing Scholarship is a statewide program that is funded by the state government. You may also join the Michigan League for Nursing to be considered for their scholarships. The Michigan Center for Nursing also awards several scholarships each year.

Working as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Michigan

As you get close to finishing your graduate-level education and embarking on your new career, you want to prepare for the licensure process. Through the Michigan Board of Nursing, you can apply to have your RN license upgraded to an advanced practice license. This allows you to enjoy the full scope of practice given to clinical nurse specialists.

If you’re interested in research, clinical work, and leadership, this could be the perfect career path for you.

Learn more about your options by reaching out to clinical nurse specialist programs in Michigan.

Michigan Public Health Graduate Programs

The greatest tool that the health care industry has is education. Whether the goal is eradicating drug use, stopping the spread of a highly infectious disease, or getting people to wash their hands, educating the public is always one of the first steps. That is why public health nurses play such an important role in Michigan.

Michigan has many unique health concerns and problems, due to the fact that it has two peninsulas that largely operate like different states. The Michigan Public Health Association focuses on subjects like immunizations, preventative health care, HIV testing, cancer screening, and nutrition.

If you are ready to use your nursing experience to take Michigan into a healthier future, contact the schools below to learn more about public health nursing graduate programs in Michigan.

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Master’s Degree Programs in Public Health Nursing in Michigan

The field of public health nursing has changed over the years. While it used to only require an interest in community nursing and public health efforts, it now requires an extensive knowledge of statistics, infectious disease, and public health laws.

To meet the requirements laid out for public health nurses, you must start by earning a Master’s degree in nursing. Your Bachelor’s degree in nursing should have laid a strong foundation for study at this level. Programs tend to last between two and three years, depending on exactly how many credits your school requires.

By looking over the curriculum of your nursing program, you can start to understand what public health nurses do and what you need to learn to succeed in this specialty. Your curriculum may have classes like Health & Health Equity, Assessment and Collaboration with Communities, Program Planning for Health Systems, Advanced Practice in Community Health Systems, Health Policy, Evidence-Based Practice, and Transcultural Nursing Practice. In addition, your school may require you to complete a scholarly project or research study. This helps you define your goals as a public health nurse and demonstrate the knowledge gained in your graduate program.

Like many other states, Michigan has financial aid programs for nurses who are returning to school. The Michigan Nursing Scholarship is awarded through the Michigan Department of Student Aid. Since this is a scholarship, it does not need to be paid back.

The Role of Public Health Nurses in Michigan

What you do as a public health nurse in Michigan depends a lot on where you work in this state. If you work in one of the larger urban areas of Michigan, you may deal with public health issues like drug use, malnutrition, and food deserts. However, if you begin your career in a rural community, you may spend more time with health issues caused by being outdoors, resident education, and safe access to health care. In addition, this job tends to change on a fairly frequent basis, so you must be ready to tackle new problems and topics that arise.

Find out how much of an impact you can make on health care in Michigan. Get started today by requesting information from public health nursing programs in Michigan.

Graduate Nursing Programs in Healthcare Policy in Michigan

There are many ways that you can use your passion for nursing to improve the quality of life of Michigan residents. Of course, direct care is one of the most popular choices. As a registered nurse, you are already heavily involved in the day-to-day care of your patients. However, have you ever considered what you could contribute to the world of healthcare policy?

Health policy is one of the driving forces behind industrywide change. By getting involved in policy, you can use your knowledge to create changes that actually positively impact patients and healthcare employees.

The work done by legislators, especially those who are nurses, can influence the availability of specific procedures and their funding. As the result of policy, the two largest insurers in Michigan now fund holistic care and telemedicine (MLive).

Obviously, switching your career focus from direct care to legislation requires a lot of education and hard work. Learn more about what it takes by reaching out to Master’s in healthcare policy programs in Michigan.

Master’s Degree Programs in Healthcare Policy in Michigan

Although your nursing experience may be particularly beneficial in the world of healthcare policy, it is important to remember that administrative healthcare roles are quite different from most roles you play as a nurse. Because of this, it is crucial to attend a high-quality graduate program and get as much practical experience as you can prior to graduation.

Specific course requirements differ between schools, but most Michigan healthcare policy programs require 36 or more credits. You may find courses like those listed here in your curriculum:

Health Services System
Corporate Finance in Healthcare
Organization and Management of Healthcare Systems
Cost-Effective Analysis in Health
Health Policy Challenges in Developing Countries
Comparative Health Policy and Management
Health Insurance and Payment Systems
Risk Management and Policy

As you may notice, healthcare policy is often combined with an overall understanding of management and administration. This is because your career may involve governmental work, but it may also involve working for specific facilities to improve their policies and keep them up-to-date. With this type of advanced nursing education, you can thoroughly prepare for a number of career paths.

Practical experience can be obtained in many ways, including internships, clinical rotations, and practicum courses. No matter which option your school offers, you should definitely try to get some policy experience before you graduate. Doing so can help you start to get comfortable in this field and make some beneficial professional contacts.

To maintain your status as a health policy nurse, keep your license valid through the Michigan Board of Nursing. You must renew your license every two years. Furthermore, each renewal cycle involves completing 25 hours of continuing education.

How Do Nurses Impact Healthcare Policy in Michigan?

Healthcare policy is a huge part of legislation in Michigan. This state has many complicated health policy needs, due to the vastly different populations and healthcare needs of the Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula. As you grow in your career, you may work with many different groups and agencies to create a stronger Michigan.

The Michigan Nurses Association is a huge part of nursing policy in this state. In 2015 alone, they focused on adding APRNs to the public health code, passing the Safe Patient Care Act, supporting the containment of petroleum coke piles, and mandating lead screening in children. As safe water in Michigan becomes a prominent issue, nurse leaders and policy makers may have a significant impact on government and within their communities in the years to come.

A major policy employer in the state is the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. This agency utilizes statistics to measure the quality of healthcare and make policies to improve it.
Major changes are coming in the healthcare industry. Policy is the main route by which change occurs.

Start getting involved in this specialty now by learning about graduate healthcare policy programs in Michigan.