How to Become a Licensed Practical Nurse in Michigan
A Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN, is a nursing professional who work under Registered Nurses and physicians. It’s a great choice for a career in healthcare and will allow you to work directly with patients while earning a good living. Demand is high and growing for LPNs in Michigan, so finding a job once licensed should be easy.
As an LPN you will be responsible for keeping an eye on patient vitals, like blood pressure and temperature, giving basic care such as changing bandages and making sure that patients are comfortable.
Michigan Requirements for Becoming an LPN
In Michigan, in order to become an LPN you will need to first finish high school and either graduate or earn a GED. Focus on good grades to ensure you are able to enroll in a post-secondary program for nursing training. You must complete a program that is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing. Finishing an approved program will prepare you to pass the required exam, the NCLEX-PN.
Licensed Practical Nursing Programs in Michigan
The Board of Nursing approves numerous programs throughout the state. You should be able to find one near you and that fits all your needs. Here are a few examples:
- Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids. Students in the western part of the state can complete the approved certificate program here. The program includes one semester of pre-nursing courses and two full and one half semesters of nursing curriculum. The total cost for residents is about $11,000.
- Lansing Community College, Lansing. This Lansing program also offers a certificate in Practical Nursing that is approved for licensing. Students without any credits or degrees will need two years to complete the program, while those with a degree in another subject can complete the program in 16 months.
- Davenport University, Warren and Midland. Davenport offers an approved program for students in the Detroit area and in the central region of Michigan with two different campuses. The program includes 46 credit hours of courses. Only 45 students are admitted each year, and there is a minimum high school GPA requirement of 3.0.
Certification for LPNs
After completing an approved LPN program you will need to become certified through the state Board of Nursing. You will apply by submitting information online and take your NCLEX-PN exam through Pearson Vue. You will also need to undergo a criminal background check and have fingerprints taken.
If you did not complete an education program for Licensed Practical Nurses in Michigan, you can still apply for state certification. To proceed, you must have your coursework reviewed and evaluated by the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools if your school was outside the U.S., or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services in the U.S.
Salary and Career Outlooks for LPNs
According to the Projections Managing Partnership, growth in the jobs for Licensed Practical Nurses in Michigan is 10.5 percent. In 2016n there were nearly 17,000 LPNs employed in the state, and by 2026 there are expected to be nearly 19,000. There will be many opportunities for new, qualified Practical Nurses.
In addition to job security, salary is another aspect of working as an LPN in Michigan that you can enjoy. The average hourly rate for these nurses in the state in May of 2017 was $22.92. The average annual salary was $47,660 but the highest earners in the field in Michigan made more than $60,960 that same year.
Working as a Licensed Practical Nurse in Michigan
As a Licensed Practical Nurse in Michigan you should find that you have a lot of options for work. LPNs are in high demand. Most work in nursing homes, residential care facilities and hospitals. You may also work in a physician’s office or as a home healthcare worker.
In any position as a nurse, expect to work hands-on with patients and to be on your feet for hours at a time. This can be a job that is both physically and emotionally demanding, but it is also rewarding. Look for the greatest number of available LPN jobs in and around Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing.
Popular Colleges
FAQs
How much do licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earn in the state of Michigan?
According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the state of Michigan made an average of $50,300 per year in 2019. Entry-level licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses earned around $39,570 and some experienced professionals earned salaries as high as $62,140.