Are you looking for another state to move into to pursue your nursing career? Let us give you a location to consider: the Great Lakes State. Michigan is a breathtaking destination that will surround you with natural beauty from its extensive coastlines to its captivating views of the Great Lakes.
Through this resource, you’ll discover what it’s like to live in Michigan and be informed about what you can do to start your nursing practice in the state.
Michigan was officially named the 26th state in the Union back in 1837. Today, it’s the only state composed of two peninsulas.
With its population of over 10 million people, Michigan has a lot to give you. Come be drawn by its offerings, from cheering on your favorite sport to admiring its coastlines.
Michigan is your perfect destination to cool off from the summer heat. The shores of Michigan touch four of the Great Lakes and almost half of the state is composed of water, giving the state its nickname. These lakes are Lake Huron, Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Erie. The state’s name was also derived from a Chippewa Indian word meaning “large lake.”
Other than the Great Lakes, Michigan also carries 11,000 inland lakes you can enjoy. Michigan’s people are always within 6 miles of an inland lake and within 85 miles of any of the Great Lakes and this gives you a lot of options to dive into.
According to experts, these Great Lakes were formed by glaciers over 12,000 years ago. And the freshwater bodies in the state can also be viewed from the moon! With all these bodies of water surrounding its residents, Michigan won’t run out of water activities you can enjoy.
Although Michigan’s lakes are first to come to residents and visitors’ minds, there are other natural attractions you surely wouldn’t want to miss. In the winter, you can enjoy the Eben Ice Caves or get lost in the beauty of the trails found in Canyon Falls and Gorge.
You also won’t run out of state parks to relax at as Michigan has 101 of them. You can enjoy camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, and swimming in these areas. Many of these parks are also located on the coastlines.
The other recreational activities you can enjoy around Michigan are as follows:
If you decide to become a resident, for an affordable fee, you can enjoy all these places by getting your hands on a recreation passport that you can get together with your license plate registration renewal. The funds collected from the recreation passport are used to improve and maintain Michigan’s outdoor spaces.
If you love watching professional sports teams, Michigan is the state for you, specifically its Detroit area. The state is home to incredible teams such as the Detroit Pistons NBA, Detroit Red Wings NHL, Detroit Tigers MLB, and the Detroit Lions NFL. You’ll surely find a team to support and follow.
You can also enjoy the college sports scene by watching out for the University of Michigan’s Michigan Wolverines and the Michigan State Spartans.
Food and drinks are definitely enjoyed better in the company of friends and family. And Michigan’s beer industry is one of the best in the country. In fact, Thrillist ranked it number 4 for having the best beer in the United States!¹
Some of the best breweries in the state are as follows:
Related Reading: State Highlight: Why Oklahoma Is the Perfect Destination for Global Nurses
Nursing in Michigan can be an advantage to you and may be an upgrade to your nursing career because of its opportunities in its incredible hospitals. Here are some of the things you need to know about nursing programs in the state.
Although Michigan is not a part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, applying for your license and certifications and getting permission to take the NCLEX in the state is paperless and very accessible. You can do this through the Michigan Professional Licensing User System (MiPLUS).
Through the system, you can submit and update your information, pay fees, track your application status, and print your final license at home or from your workplace.
You can also be eligible for a nursing license through an examination for first-time nurses or through an endorsement for out-of-state nurses.
Related Reading: The NCLEX Study Plan That Works: Crafting Your Ideal Timeline
In 2020, Michigan ranked at number 14 in Nurse.org’s Highest Paying States for Nurses list, with the cost of living considered. In the same ranking, Michigan has a Cost-of-Living Index of 90.1 and an Effective Tax Rate of 12.29 percent.²
As of May 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded the annual mean wage for registered nurses in Michigan is $80,660.³
This means you can comfortably pursue your nursing career and other passions in the state considering the promising salary you can earn. Some of the highest-paying cities in Michigan for registered nurses are Ann Arbor, Flint, and Lansing-East Lansing.
As a part-time or full-time nurse, you can enjoy strong benefits during your employment at a hospital or healthcare facility in Michigan. These, of course, will vary depending on the healthcare institution you’ll be a part of. But generally, here are some of the standard benefits you may receive:
There are more than 1.7 million nurses in Michigan making the job market competitive. It would be great to find the best hospitals in Michigan that can employ you to have a competitive salary and generous benefits. One of the statuses or credentials you need to be familiar with is the Magnet hospital status.
A Magnet hospital or institution is recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) for its nursing excellence, work environment, quality patient outcomes, and nursing practice innovations.
Here are some of the hospitals with Magnet status that you may want to consider working at:
This means you have the freedom to decide whether or not to join a labor union. Joining a union could offer benefits like improved working conditions, job security, and competitive salaries. However, it may also involve participating in strikes and paying union dues, and seniority could impact opportunities for advancement.
Two of the unions you may choose to join are the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) and National Nurses United (NNU).
MNA is the biggest nursing union in the state of Michigan. It serves as a collective voice to make sure Michigan nurses are receiving fair wages and benefits, are represented in times of need, and have collective bargaining tools.
Meanwhile, NNU organizes and represents nurses nationwide and is claimed to be the most active and progressive union for U.S. nurses. It’s the largest professional association and union of registered nurses with more than 150,000 members in every represented state.⁴
Related Reading: State Highlight: Maryland’s World-Class Institutions, Natural Beauty, and Abundant Career Opportunities for Nurses
Make the most of your nursing degree and health care experience by getting into one of the best facilities in Michigan. Enjoy what the healthcare industry has to offer while you surround yourself with the beauty of the state.
Related Reading: State Highlight: Why Bring Your Skills and Family to Indiana
If you’re dreaming of becoming a nurse in Michigan and are planning to move there with your family, PRS Global is here to connect you with employers in the state through direct hiring.
We specialize in staffing global nurses, bringing them to the best American healthcare facilities. We’ll assist you in accomplishing your employment requirements so you can start working as soon as possible. Get in touch with us today to know more about our process.
References
1 Bernot, Kate, et al. “We Ranked the Top Beers in All 50 States.” Thrillist, 19 Jun. 2020, www.thrillist.com/drink/nation/every-state-in-the-usa-ranked-by-its-beer.
2 “Highest Paying States for Nurses (Adjusted for Cost of Living).” Nurse.Org, 17 Nov. 2020, nurse.org/articles/50-state-salaries-ranked-with-cost-of-living/.
3 “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm. Accessed 20 Jul. 2023.
4 “The Complete Guide to Nursing in Michigan.” Nurse.Org, 7 Oct. 2017, nurse.org/resources/nursing-career-michigan/.