Career Resources / Nursing Licensure / Michigan
Looking to work as a nurse in the Great Lake State? The first step is to get your Michigan nursing license. Once you’re eligible to work in the state, keep up with your continuing education and use information from nursing associations to help find a job at one of Michigan’s best hospitals.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- How to get your Michigan nursing license
- Licensing fees
- How to renew your Michigan nursing license
- Michigan continuing education requirements
- Job and salary outlook for nurses in Michigan
- Top hospitals in Michigan
- Michigan nursing organizations
How to get your Michigan nursing license
Follow these basic steps to earn your Michigan nursing license and start practicing in the state.
Complete your education
Attend an accredited nursing school to earn either an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). An ADN will take between 18 and 24 months to complete, while you can expect to spend roughly four years working through a BSN.
If you already have an ADN, there is an ADN to BSN bridge program that allows you to earn a BSN in 12-18 months. There is also an RN to BSN bridge which takes three semesters of nursing courses to be completed in one year. These programs will save you time and money.
The more education you have, the better your chances of landing your dream Michigan nursing job.
Pass the NCLEX-RN
When you’re six weeks away from graduation, you can apply to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. There are 75 to 265 questions on the NCLEX-RN with a five-hour time limit for completion. If you don’t pass the NCLEX-RN on your first attempt, you’ll need to wait 45 days before you can try again.
The NCLEX includes questions on the following topics:
- Safe and effective care environment
- Health promotion and maintenance
- Psychosocial integrity
- Physiological integrity
Gain experience
The next step in the process after getting your Michigan nursing license is to gain hands-on experience. This will provide you with invaluable opportunities to work with patients, making you attractive to future employers.
Obtain certifications
The final step is to obtain certifications for your chosen career. Requirements for earning a certification vary, so it’s important to check with the governing body for information. Incredible Health offers free courses to obtain or renew certification requirements. Create a free account to access professional development mandates and get instant certificates.
Licensing fees
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Michigan, whether you’re a first-time nurse or moving to Michigan from another state. For more information, visit the Michigan Board of Nursing licensing page.
Licensing fees by examination (first-time nurses):
- NCLEX fee: $200
- Application fee: $208.80 (RN/LPN)
- Fingerprint processing fee: $62.75
Licensing fee by endorsement (already have RN licensure):
- Application fee: $208.80
- Fingerprint processing fee: $62.75
License renewal fee:
- Application fee: $128.50
Legislation is pending for Michigan to become a nursing compact state, which allows nurses to hold multi-state licenses. Check the NCSBN site to stay updated.
*Fees are subject to change.
How to renew your Michigan nursing license
If you need to renew your Michigan nursing license, the first step is to verify the status of your license. Visit the Verification page in order to confirm your license.
Next, complete your Michigan nursing continuing education requirements before your license expires. You can complete your nursing CEUs online, on your schedule, and 100% free with Incredible Health.
Finally, you’ll visit the Michigan Board of Nursing site to enter your renewal application. Visit the Renewal Requirement page for specifics.
Michigan continuing education requirements
RNs, LPNs, and APRNs need 25 contact hours every two years to maintain their Michigan nursing license. Two of these hours must be in pain and symptom management. (One contact hour equals 50-60 minutes of classroom instruction. One CEU credit equals 10 contact hours.)
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Michigan Board of Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
Earn your CEUs free
Our easy online CE courses are ANCC-accredited and 100% free for nurses.
Job and salary outlook for nurses in Michigan
Due to the shortage of nurses, these healthcare professionals are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor
Because of the nursing shortage, nurses are in high demand across the state. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimates the nursing profession will grow by 6% between 2021 and 2031. The national average salary is $82,750.
We can also help you check out salary estimates to help determine if Michigan is the right state for you.
[ MORE: Average nurse salary in Michigan ]
Top hospitals in Michigan
Ready to put your Michigan nursing license to work? Here are the top hospitals in Michigan according to U.S. News and World Report.
University of Michigan Medical Center
This Ann Arbor facility has been named the 15th best hospital in the world and is a part of the Magnet Recognition Program®. Awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), Magnet is considered the “gold standard” for excellence in nursing practice and care. Hospitals must meet certain criteria and apply to be designated.
The University of Michigan hospital is also known for being one of the best employers in Michigan. Some specialties include:
- Ophthalmology (#8 in the nation)
- Ear, nose, and throat (#9 in the nation)
- Diabetes and endocrinology (#10 in the nation)
- Gastroenterology and GI surgery (#13 in the nation)
Beaumont Hospital
The Beaumont Hospital system has locations in Royal Oak and Grosse Pointe. Beaumont is committed to “compassionate, extraordinary care every day.” They have been recognized by the Magnet Recognition Program®. They’re also in the top 10 hospitals in the state, with 24 specialty programs among the top 10% in the country. Some specialties include:
- Gynecology — Royal Oak (#18 in the nation)
- Cardiology and heart surgery — Royal Oak (#19 in the nation)
- Gastroenterology and GI surgery — Royal Oak (#19 in the nation)
- Neurology and neurosurgery — Grosse Pointe (#23 in the nation)
- Urology — Grosse Pointe (#30 in the nation)
Top nursing jobs in Michigan on Incredible Health
🏥 Assistant Nurse Manager – Med Surg
Farmington Hills, MI | $57,000 to $100,000 /year
🏥 Nurse Manager – Emergency Department
Taylor, MI | $57,000 to $100,000 /year
🏥 Nurse Practitioner – Home Health
Flint, MI | $64,000 to $145,000 /year
🏥 Registered Nurse – Med Surg
Farmington Hills, MI | $57,000 to $100,000 /year
🏥 Registered Nurse – Med Surg
Grosse Pointe, MI | $57,000 to $100,000 /year
Michigan nursing organizations
Once you become a registered nurse, joining a nursing organization or association will give you access to networking, job opportunities, and a wealth of information. Here are a few of the organizations and associations for nurses in Michigan.
Michigan Nurses Association
The mission of the Michigan Nurses Association is to empower nurses to “act to educate, advocate, organize, and collectively bargain to promote professional practice, quality patient outcomes, and healthy communities.”
Health Care Association of Michigan
The Health Care Association of Michigan aims “to promote excellence in senior care by providing support, information and advocacy on behalf of the members we represent.”
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
AORN hopes “to establish a national community for operating room nurses who seek to share best practices for patients undergoing surgery.”
Find a job with your Michigan nursing license
Once you have your Michigan nursing license, you’re ready to start practicing. Incredible Health makes it easy to find nursing jobs in the state. Create a free account and look for open positions that are a good fit for you.
Expert advice from nurses like you
Join the free Incredible Health Nurse Community to get career advice, support, and tips from experienced fellow nurses.
Contact information
Michigan Board of Nursing
Phone: (517) 241-0199
Fax: (517) 241-9416
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_72600_72603_27529_27542—,00.html
Mailing address:
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Bureau of Professional Licensing
PO Box 30670
Lansing, MI 48909
Physical address:
2407 N. Grand River Ave.
Lansing, MI 48906
Sources:
“Nursing.” michigan.gov. Accessed July 14, 2022.
“NCLEX and Other Exams.” ncsbn.org. Accessed July 14, 2022.
“Nurse Licensure Compact.” ncsbn.org. Accessed July 14, 2022.
“Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.” aca-prod.accela.com. Accessed July 14, 2022.
“Continuing Education for Michigan Nurses.” Accessed July 14, 2022.
“ANCC.” nursingworld.org. Accessed July 14, 2022.
“Registered Nurses.” bls.gov. Accessed July 14, 2022.
“Occupational Employment and Wages.” bls.gov. Accessed July 14, 2022.
“Best Hospitals in Michigan.” health.usnews.com. Accessed July 14, 2022.
“ANCC Magnet Recognition Program.” nursingworld.org. Accessed July 14, 2022.
minurses.org. Accessed July 14, 2022.
hcam.org. Accessed July 14, 2022.
aorn.org. Accessed July 14, 2022.
