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How to Become a Nurse in Michigan

How to Become a Nurse in Michigan

Are you interested in becoming a nurse in Michigan? The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) licenses 181,866 registered nurses (RNs) and 20,802 licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and 32,511 of those RNs (17.9%) live outside the state. LARA also certifies 17,512 nurse practitioners (NPs), 3,383 nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), 631 nurse midwives (CNMs) and 356 clinical nurse specialists, the advanced practice nurses (APNs) who hold an RN license as well. Michigan has a vast amount of opportunities available to become a nurse and, if desired, to expand your knowledge and schooling to become an APN. Here are some Michigan RN facts from the state's 2026 Nurse Licensure Survey, which 15,596 Michigan RNs answered:

  • 47.7% of Michigan RNs qualified for their first nursing license with a bachelor's degree in nursing and 35.1% with an associate degree.
  • 81.2% of Michigan RNs are employed as nurses, and 65.9% work in nursing full-time.
  • Acute care is the most common setting (46% of RNs), staff nurse the most common position (53%) and adult health the most common specialty (40%); 24% work in ambulatory care.
  • 61.4% of RNs stayed in the same employment setting over the past year; among those who moved, a better schedule was the most common reason.
  • Among nurses in their first three years, 43.6% of RNs felt adequately prepared when they entered the workforce, a majority found it easy or very easy to find a nursing job, and 27.6% received a nurse residency or transition-to-practice program from their employer.

Educational Requirements

The first step to becoming a Michigan RN is to obtain your high school diploma or equivalent. The next step is to decide what type of nursing school to attend. The Michigan Board of Nursing currently approves 76 registered nurse programs in Michigan (39 bachelor's degree, 36 associate degree and 1 master's-prepared advanced generalist program, as of September 2026) plus 33 practical nursing programs, with varying tuitions and requirements. If possible, try not to limit yourself by applying to one program. Sometimes, the wait lists can be extensive and seats limited.

Choose carefully. In 2025, 4,844 graduates of Michigan programs took the NCLEX-RN for the first time and 86% passed; Michigan practical nursing graduates passed the NCLEX-PN at 84%. LARA publishes pass rates for every approved program on the same page, so check a program's numbers before you enroll.

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

An ADN is offered at many community colleges and takes approximately 2-3 years. Obtaining an ADN is a great start to your nursing career in a cost-efficient way. 

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

A BSN is a 4-year program that is offered at many Michigan state universities and some private colleges. While an ADN can open most doors for prospective nurses, obtaining your BSN may provide a higher earning potential or better opportunities for career advancement.

State Licensing Requirements

The Michigan Board of Nursing (BON) and LARA's Nursing Licensing Guide and FAQs are key resources to completing all necessary tasks to be a Michigan RN. To be licensed, complete the following:

  • Prospective nurses must first complete the online MiPLUS application. The application fee plus the two-year license fee is $212.90 for an RN by examination or endorsement (the same for an LPN), paid by credit or debit card.
  • Once the application has been submitted, you will be emailed an Application Confirmation letter with instructions to complete the criminal background check and get fingerprinted.
  • Complete a one-time human trafficking training and 2 hours of implicit bias training taken within the 5 years before your license is issued.
  • Answer the good moral character questions, provide your Social Security number (or an SSN affidavit) and show a working knowledge of English, which a nursing program taught in English satisfies.
  • Have your nursing school send your final official transcripts (or the Michigan Nursing School Certification form) directly to LARA. You must pass the NCLEX-RN within 3 years of graduation; after that you need a written certification of skills competency from an approved program before you can test again. Your scores reach LARA directly from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
  • Already licensed in another state? Apply by endorsement with an active, unencumbered license that was first earned by passing the NCLEX-RN, have that state verify your license to LARA (Nursys works), and send your transcripts.
  • Educated outside the United States? LARA requires a credentials evaluation report or certification from TruMerit (formerly CGFNS) or an evaluation from Josef Silny & Associates.

Note that Michigan is not a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a Michigan RN license is a single-state license and nurses moving in from compact states still apply by endorsement. A compact bill, House Bill 4246, passed the Michigan House on June 11, 2025 and was referred to the Senate Committee on Regulatory Affairs, where it sat as of October 2026.

NCLEX-RN Examination

Regardless of the nursing program you graduated from, all nursing graduates take the same National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX)-RN. This is a computerized test that is given 6 days a week. It is recommended to take this exam as soon as you can after graduation as this is when you have the most knowledge retention and are likely to have a better success rate. Visit the NCLEX Test Centers website for locations.

If you are interested in taking NCLEX prep classes, there are many options available online. Some are listed below. Before signing up for one, talk with your instructors and classmates to see if they have had success with a previous program or recommend one.

Job Outlook and Opportunities

The Michigan Center for Data and Analytics projects registered nurse employment in Michigan to grow from 108,330 jobs in 2024 to 117,360 in 2034, an increase of 8.3% and about 6,505 openings a year once nurses who retire or change careers are counted. Nurse practitioners are projected to grow fastest of all, up 41.5% over the same ten years, while licensed practical nurses grow 3.5% and nursing assistants 6.1%.

Pay follows the market. The state's 2025 wage survey puts the median annual wage for registered nurses in Michigan at $94,300 ($45.34 an hour), with entry-level RNs earning around $75,460 and experienced RNs around $103,580. However, certain areas in Michigan pay more, or less, than others. If you want to maximize your salary, the Ann Arbor area leads with a median of $103,450, followed by Flint at $97,780, Detroit-Warren-Dearborn at $97,280 and Saginaw at $95,160. Grand Rapids ($83,920), Traverse City ($83,690) and the Upper Peninsula ($81,410) are among the lowest-paying areas for Michigan RNs. For the other routes into nursing, the statewide medians are $65,460 for licensed practical nurses, $39,570 for nursing assistants and $131,450 for nurse practitioners. Many employers also offer shift differentials, which are specific shifts that pay more than others (e.g., evening or night shifts, weekends).

Resources and Support

There are many state and national resources available to nurses as they navigate schooling and the difficulties of working in this new field.

Why become a nurse? Nursing is a rewarding career with numerous opportunities to advance your career and/or specialize. You will always be in demand and can find the nursing niche that provides the most personal and professional rewards, whether that is working in the hospital in an inpatient unit, as an APRN, or even behind the scenes with an insurance company. Becoming a nurse in all these career opportunities has the same timeline:

  • Graduate with a high school diploma or equivalent
  • Apply and complete a nursing program
  • Fill out the MiPLUS application for the Michigan Board of Nursing and complete their requirements
  • Take the NCLEX-RN
  • Find a job!

Nurture your calling – start your nursing journey today!

Sources

  • Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Nursing Safety and Workforce Planning, 2026 Nurse Licensure Survey Summary Report (September 30, 2026): licensed nurse counts, education, employment, setting and new-nurse experience of Michigan RNs; read October 7, 2026.
  • Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Michigan Board of Nursing Approved Education Programs (September 3, 2026) and 2025 NCLEX Program Summaries: program count by type, 2025 NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN pass rates; read October 7, 2026.
  • Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Nursing Licensing Guide and FAQs: application steps, fees, training, transcript, endorsement and foreign-graduate requirements; read October 7, 2026.
  • Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, Occupational Employment Projections 2024-2034, Michigan statewide: registered nurse, nurse practitioner, LPN and nursing assistant employment and openings; read October 7, 2026.
  • Michigan Center for Data and Analytics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Michigan statewide and metropolitan areas: employment and wages; read October 7, 2026.
  • National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Nurse Licensure Compact map, and Michigan Legislature, House Bill 4246 of 2025: Michigan membership and pending legislation; read October 7, 2026.

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