11 Best LPN-to-RN Programs in Michigan – (Online & Campus-Based)
Written By: Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
What’s the surest path to career advancement if you’re a Michigan-based LPN? One of the LPN-to-RN programs in Michigan! Associate degree programs focus on critical thinking, patient assessment, and advanced clinical skills, building upon the experience you’ve already acquired in your LPN practice. As a registered nurse, your expanded scope of practice will qualify you for nursing specializations such as pediatrics or dialysis. Your pay will go up: RNs in the Wolverine State earn $80,660 annually, 41 percent higher than the average LPN salary ($57,180.) Demand for the services of registered nurses will rise by 8 percent in 10 years. This guide to the 11 best LPN-to-RN programs in Michigan contains more information.
WHAT ARE THE BEST LPN-TO-RN PROGRAMS IN MICHIGAN (ONLINE AND CAMPUS-BASED)?
Based on our Ranking Methodology, the following are the 11 best campus-based and online LPN-to-RN programs in Michigan.
1. Kirtland Community College - Grayling
Program Details: The Licensed Practical Nurse to Associate Degree in Nursing, AAS program at Kirtland Community College is one of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Michigan. The program follows a cohort model and admits students annually in the fall semester. It takes three semesters of full-time study to earn the degree and become eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN.
The LPN-to-RN program is a campus-based program that integrates classroom lectures with laboratory learning, simulations, and clinical practicums. The program features a 63-67 credit curriculum. Some of the classes you will take include Application of Pharmacology, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, and Professional Nursing.
Clinical practicums are an integral part of this LPN-to-RN program in Michigan. You will study concepts focused on health promotion and maintenance, illness and disease management, and individual and family-centered care. You will have opportunities to provide hands-on patient care in hospital, clinic, and community clinical settings. Clinical practicums are arranged by program faculty and supervised by either clinical faculty or approved clinical preceptors.
Why Choose This Program
• As a nurse and healthcare educator, I believe all nurses should find opportunities to continue learning and growing. Whether you decide to earn a higher degree or become certified in a specialty area, nursing offers endless options for personal and professional growth. Kirtland Community College supports continuing education opportunities, encouraging students to achieve higher degrees in nursing. For example, the college has an articulation agreement with Saginaw Valley State University that allows graduates of the LPN-to-RN program to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program at Kirtland Community College have a history of consistently exceeding state and national pass rates on the NCLEX-RN. Pass rates are a crucial factor to consider when choosing a nursing program, as they strongly indicate the strength of a program and how well you will be prepared to succeed, not only on your licensing exam but in practice.
2. Southwestern Michigan College - Dowagiac
Program Details: Southwestern Michigan College is home to an excellent option for an LPN-to-RN program in Michigan. The traditional Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree is a two-year program. However, as a licensed practical nurse, you can complete the program in just three semesters. Some courses in the program are offered online, while others are offered on-site. Campus learning is also complemented by skills and simulation labs. Small class sizes make building relationships with instructors easier and help to ensure you stay on track to progress successfully in the program.
The 60-credit pathway features classes, including Principles of Human Physiology, Psychosocial Care in Nursing, Nursing Leadership, and Care of Adults. The curriculum includes six clinical courses, each with a corresponding clinical practicum. Your clinical experiences will encompass the care of individuals and families, women, children, adults, and geriatric patients. Clinical assignments will take place at affiliated clinical sites such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, physicians' offices, surgery centers, urgent care centers, and community/public health agencies.
Why Choose This Program
• As a healthcare educator, I believe it is important to integrate simulation learning into the nursing curriculum. Simulations create opportunities to practice skills and prepare for real-world clinical practice. One of the great things about Southwestern Michigan College is that the school features a Nursing and Health Education building that features state-of-the-art skill and simulation labs.• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program at Southwestern Michigan College have excellent employment rates following completion of the program, as evidenced by post-graduation employment surveys. Job placement rates are an important factor to consider when choosing a nursing program, as the employment rate reflects the demand for program graduates in the nursing job market. It also is a good indicator of the quality and reputation of the program.
3. Gogebic Community College - Ironwood
Program Details: If you are searching for an LPN-to-RN program in Michigan that will get you working as a registered nurse in a short time, Gogebic Community College has an excellent option! The advanced standing LPN-to-RN program offers licensed practical nurses the opportunity to join the traditional associate degree nursing program in the second year and graduate in two semesters' time.
The LPN-to-RN program requires you to complete 42 credits. You will take classes like Concepts of Nursing Practice: Care of Patients Across Lifespan Complex Conditions, Concepts of Nursing Practice: Care of Adults with Stable/Unstable Conditions, and Transition to Nursing Practice. The LPN-to-RN program at Gogebic Community College features an interactive classroom environment complemented by a wide variety of hands-on laboratory and patient care simulations followed by in-person clinical practicums. Clinicals occur at several affiliate clinical partner sites under the direction of program faculty and preceptors. The program includes a minimum of 500 clinical hours.
Why Choose This Program
• At Gogebic Community College, the LPN-to-RN program is taught by experienced, certified faculty. Each faculty member brings unique experiences to the classroom and clinical settings, giving you diverse learning opportunities to prepare you for the transition into the role of a registered nurse.• Gogebic Community College has articulation agreements with several four-year colleges and universities, making it easier for you to smoothly transition to a bachelor’s nursing program and earn your BSN upon completion of the LPN-to-RN program.
4. Delta College - University Center
Program Details: At Delta College, you will find another excellent LPN-to-RN program in Michigan. This is a special program option for currently licensed LPNs with one year of full-time work experience. The program is designed to be completed in as little as 16 months. The program is campus-based, with lectures, skills labs, and simulations in person with your cohort. Clinical practicums occur off-site under the direction of program faculty or approved preceptors.
The LPN-to-RN program is a 69-credit pathway. The curriculum features classes, including Nursing Care & Management Throughout the Health Continuum, Transition- Pediatric Nursing, Principles of Adult Care, and Transition- Mental Health Nursing.
The program integrates a wide variety of lab and clinical experiences. Simulated and clinical lab settings prepare you to develop skills competencies that you will implement in clinical practicums and later nursing practice. You will complete a minimum of 540 clinical practicum hours. Clinicals include opportunities to practice direct patient care in acute care, pediatric, maternity, and mental health settings. Practicums involve care of patients of all ages across the lifespan experiencing varying degrees of health and illness.
Why Choose This Program
• At Delta College, you will have excellent opportunities for simulated learning in the school’s 9,000 square foot state-of-the-art health professions lab. The lab features advanced technology, including an anatomage table and other high-fidelity equipment.• Delta College has a history of educating nursing students dating back to 1961. The school offers one of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Michigan, with an outstanding reputation for providing an exceptional, high-quality education and producing nurses who are sought after by local employers.
5. West Shore Community College - Scottville
Program Details: West Shore Community College offers another outstanding LPN-to-RN program in Michigan. The traditional associate nursing degree takes four semesters to complete. However, as a licensed practical nurse, you can enter level two, or the second year, of the associate degree program and graduate in as few as two semesters.
The program is designed with a campus-based format featuring classroom lectures, skills labs, and simulations, combined with diverse clinical practicum experiences. This associate degree nursing program is a 68-credit pathway. Upon entry to the LPN-to-RN pathway, you will be required to complete 34 credits. The curriculum includes classes such as Bioethics, Obstetric & Pediatric Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, and Leadership in Nursing.
Additionally, the program includes 445 lab and clinical hours. Your clinical experience will include opportunities to provide care to patients in hospitals, acute care facilities, long-term care facilities, and mental health settings.
Why Choose This Program
• The LPN-to-RN program in Michigan at West Shore Community College reports excellent NCLEX-RN pass rates among program graduates. Student achievement data suggests graduates have consistently exceeded both state and national pass rates for the last five consecutive years!• West Shore Community College has an exceptional nursing faculty. Students in the LPN-to-RN program learn from a diverse group of faculty members with decades of experience in clinical nursing and nursing education. Their dedication is instrumental in promoting student success and furthering the nursing profession.
6. Kellogg Community College - Battle Creek
Program Details: Kellogg Community College is home to another of our featured best LPN-to-RN programs in Michigan. With options to enroll part-time or full-time, you can learn at a pace that suits your individual needs. The part-time pathway admits students in the fall, and the full-time pathway admits students in the summer following completion of the required prerequisites. Full-time students can complete the program in three semesters. Part-time students take five semesters to graduate.
To earn the Associate of Applied Science degree in Nursing, you must complete 60 total credits. Acceptance into the Advanced Standing LPN-to-RN program is contingent upon completing preadmission coursework, which includes 35 prerequisite course credits; 14 of the prerequisite credits will be advanced standing credits which are awarded for having an active, unencumbered LPN license. The curriculum features classes, including Complex Physiologic Integrity, Psychosocial Integrity, and Transition to Practice.
The program includes a broad array of clinical experiences. Clinicals may occur during the week or on weekends and may vary in shifts from days or evenings to nights, depending on site and preceptor availability. Upon completion of the program, you will have acquired at least 504 clinical practice hours.
Why Choose This Program
• The LPN-to-RN program in Michigan offered at Kellogg Community College offers state-of-the-art learning centers, including a simulation center that features high-fidelity patient simulators. At KCC, you will practice true-to-life patient simulations as you prepare to provide direct patient care in your clinicals and nursing practice.• As a healthcare educator and having worked in nursing leadership, I feel it is important to seek nursing programs that have a good reputation for providing a high-quality education. In addition to verifying NCLEX pass rates, retention rates, or employment rates, I advise prospective students to find out what former students and healthcare employers have to say about programs. For example, employer feedback for the LPN-to-RN program at Kellogg Community College is excellent. One employer has been quoted as saying, “KCC grads continue to be the best prepared out of all our schools/graduates.”
7. Northwestern Michigan College - Traverse City
Program Details: The LPN-to-RN program in Michigan at Northwestern Michigan College is designed for licensed practical nurses who have either graduated within the past three years or who have clinical experience in acute or clinical nursing care.
The LPN-to-RN program is a 70-credit pathway, including 41 prerequisite credits. Of the 41 prerequisite credits, you will receive 22 credits for level one nursing coursework completed during your practical nursing program. After prerequisites are completed, the LPN-to-RN completion program takes two semesters to complete.
Clinical experiences occur in a variety of healthcare agencies, including Munson Medical Center. Clinical practicums correspond with clinical courses such as Mental Health Nursing, Advanced Maternal Child Nursing, Acute Care Nursing, and Nursing Management.
Why Choose This Program
• Northwestern Michigan College offers a unique opportunity for students to earn a concurrent BSN degree through a partnership with Davenport University. By taking just 10 additional courses, you can pursue the ADN to BSN option, earning the highest undergraduate nursing degree possible!• One of the most important factors prospective students mention when choosing a nursing school is the cost. Northwestern Michigan College understands the importance of affordability when it comes to nursing education. The school is ranked as one of the most affordable nursing programs in Michigan, making it an excellent choice for potential students!
8. Grand Rapids Community College - Grand Rapids
Program Details: Grand Rapids Community College is home to another of the best LPN-to-RN programs in Michigan. The program offers advanced standing to the associate degree nursing program to LPNs with an active license and at least 2,000 hours of work experience.
This advanced standing program includes a pre-nursing semester during which prerequisite courses must be completed. Once prerequisite courses are accomplished, you can complete the LPN-to-RN program in three to four semesters. The program features a 49-credit curriculum. You will take classes such as Population Health & Education Concepts, Family Health Illness Concepts, Synthesis of Nursing Concepts, and Application of Nursing Skills.
In addition to interactive lectures in the classroom, you will participate in laboratory simulations and in-person clinical practicums. You will provide care to patients of all ages in various settings across the health continuum. Clinical assignments are arranged and supervised by program faculty to ensure you have adequate learning opportunities. By the time you complete the program, you will have completed at least 500 clinical hours.
Why Choose This Program
• Grand Rapids Community College reports high retention and completion rates for its LPN-to-RN program in Michigan. This is an important factor to consider when choosing a program, as retention and completion rates indicate student satisfaction and program strength.• At Grand Rapids Community College, students receive career readiness and placement assistance. Students in the LPN-to-RN program have several opportunities to network with local employers and healthcare agencies, which results in excellent employment rates following completion of the program.
9. Monroe County Community College - Monroe
Program Details: You will find another excellent LPN-to-RN program in Michigan at Monroe County Community College. The program is an associate of applied science in nursing pathway. Students in the LPN-to-RN program must take a transition course and a mental health course with a clinical component during the summer before transitioning to the traditional associate nursing program for the final third and fourth semesters of study. The summer semester consists of class, lab, and clinicals that vary by days of the week, but include both campus and clinical days two to three days each week. Once you transition to the traditional program, didactic courses are offered on campus two days per week with lab and clinicals scheduled one to two days per week.
The LPN-to-RN program consists of a maximum of 62 credit hours. You will study Nursing Leadership & Management, Obstetrical Nursing Care, Medical Surgical Nursing Care, and Pediatric Nursing Care. Clinical courses are complemented by corresponding clinical practicums. Clinicals provide opportunities to use advanced clinical reasoning and effective communication while implementing evidence-based practice and the nursing process to provide safe, high-quality nursing care.
Why Choose This Program
• I am a firm believer that all nurses should commit to continuous learning. One of the things I like about Monroe County Community College is that the school makes learning easier by offering transfer agreements with several four-year nursing programs. Because of these articulation agreements, you can complete the LPN-to-RN program and then transition to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing.• Graduates of the LPN-to-RN program in Michigan at MCCC have excellent employment rates following program completion. According to graduate surveys, most graduates report finding employment as registered nurses within six months of completing the program and passing the NCLEX-RN.
10. Jackson College - Jackson
Program Details: The LPN-to-RN program in Michigan offered at Jackson College is an excellent option for licensed practical nurses ready to transition their careers and become registered nurses. The program is available to LPNs who have a valid, unencumbered Michigan LPN license and 1,000 hours of clinical practice. The program consists of integrated lectures on campus and in skills labs and clinicals in approved clinical affiliate sites.
The 65-credit curriculum consists of general elective, nursing-related, and nursing core courses. LPNs may transfer up to 12 advanced standing credits into the program. You will study in classes, including Pathophysiology, Women & Neonate Concepts, Cultural Connections, and Behavioral Health. Nursing courses are assigned various labs and clinical assignments. You will learn essential skills in the school's high-fidelity lab before transitioning to clinical practicums in various healthcare settings. Clinical practicums are arranged by program faculty and supervised by faculty or approved preceptors.
Why Choose This Program
• LPN-to-RN programs can be challenging. Finding a nursing program that offers student support is crucial to your success. At Jackson College, you will be assigned a student success navigator who will assist you from the time you are accepted into the program until you graduate. Your navigator will offer services from academic advising to mentoring and will help facilitate networking and job placement opportunities, as well.• In addition to excellent support staff, the LPN-to-RN program in Michigan at Jackson College has an excellent faculty team. Most faculty members continue to work in clinical nursing roles, which means they stay abreast of current changes or trends in nursing, bringing their knowledge and experience to the classroom.
11. Lake Michigan College - Benton Harbor
Program Details: Current licensed practical nurses may apply for advanced standing in the associate degree nursing program at Lake Michigan College. The program admits students twice yearly in the fall and spring semesters. This LPN-to-RN program in Michigan allows LPNs to receive credit for most of the first year of nursing courses based upon their practical nursing degree, allowing them to enter the second-year nursing classes. Once admitted to the nursing program, you can earn the associate degree in just two semesters.
To earn an associate degree in nursing, you must complete a total of 71 credits. The curriculum includes credits earned from prerequisite coursework and nursing core courses. You will study Advanced Health Assessment, Medical-Surgical Nursing, Current Issues in Nursing, and Maternal-Child Nursing.
The LPN-to-RN program integrates a broad range of clinical practicum experiences. You will provide care to patients in medical-surgical, pediatric, maternal, and mental health settings. Additionally, you will participate in clinicals in hospitals, physicians’ offices, and long-term care facilities.
Why Choose This Program
• Students enrolled in the LPN-to-RN program in Michigan at LMC have opportunities to learn in the school’s high-fidelity simulation lab. The lab features state-of-the-art advanced simulation models and is designed to provide students with hands-on learning experiences to prepare for their role transitions to registered nurses.• Lake Michigan College boasts exceptional NCLEX-RN pass rates among first-time testers who graduate from the LPN-to-RN program. The school reports almost all graduates of the program have passed the exam for the last five years in a row!
Darby Faubion Provides Tailored Advice To Students With An Interest In LPN-To-RN Programs In The State Of Michigan
Going back to school to earn a higher degree is a major decision, one that should be taken seriously. If you are interested in LPN-to-RN programs in Michigan, you have some great options! Transitioning from a licensed practical nurse to a registered nurse positions you for better job opportunities and career advancement. It also sets you up for roles with more autonomy. Registered nurses typically earn more generous salaries than LPNs. In fact, in Michigan, the salary difference is greater than $19,000 per year!
As a nurse and healthcare educator, there are several things I can suggest to help you as you search for the right program. First, always look for an accredited program. Accreditation ensures you will receive an education that meets high-quality standards, preparing you for practice. Also, check the school's reputation and student success ratings. For example, what percentage of students complete the program, how many pass the NCLEX on the first try, and how long does it take graduates to find employment? Each of these factors indicates the strength of a program and is important to consider when choosing a school. The most important advice I can give you, though, is to set goals and hold yourself accountable. Although others can encourage you, it is up to you to accomplish your dreams. You CAN do this!!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ANSWERED
1. Starting LPN VS. RN Salary In Michigan: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?
| RN Average Starting Annual Salary | LPN Average Starting Annual Salary | Difference | |||
| Number | % | ||||
| $67,450 | $47,840 | +$19,610 | +40.99% | ||
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |||||
2. Experience-Wise LPN VS. RN Salary In Michigan: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?
| Level of Experience | RN | LPN | Difference | ||
| Number | % | ||||
| Entry-Level | $67,450 | $47,840 | +$19,610 | +40.99% | |
| 1-4 Years of Experience | $77,000 | $56,910 | +$20,090 | +35.30% | |
| 5-9 Years of Experience | $81,710 | $61,850 | +$19,860 | +32.11% | |
| 10-19 Years of Experience | $97,670 | $65,850 | +$31,820 | +48.32% | |
| 20 Years or More Experience | $101,610 | $74,400 | +$27,210 | +36.57% | |
| Average Salary | $86,210 | $61,910 | +$24,300 | +39.25% | |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |||||
3. Metro Wise LPN VS. RN Salary In Michigan: How Much More Can You Earn As An RN?
| Metro | RN Average Annual Salary | LPN Average Annual Salary | Difference | ||
| Number | % | ||||
| Ann Arbor | $91,980 | $66,400 | +$25,580 | +38.52% | |
| Battle Creek | $86,730 | $61,730 | +$25,000 | +40.50% | |
| Bay City | $85,560 | $56,200 | +$29,360 | +52.24% | |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn | $87,620 | $64,510 | +$23,110 | +35.82% | |
| Flint | $86,760 | $64,670 | +$22,090 | +34.16% | |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming | $82,140 | $61,330 | +$20,810 | +33.93% | |
| Kalamazoo-Portage | $84,230 | $61,380 | +$22,850 | +37.23% | |
| Lansing-East Lansing | $86,310 | $63,360 | +$22,950 | +36.22% | |
| Monroe | $88,280 | $63,070 | +$25,210 | +39.97% | |
| Muskegon | $81,150 | $56,910 | +$24,240 | +42.59% | |
| Niles-Benton Harbor | $85,310 | $63,970 | +$21,340 | +33.36% | |
| Saginaw | $89,180 | $60,330 | +$28,850 | +47.82% | |
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |||||
4. LPN VS. RN Job Outlook In Michigan: Is The Job Outlook For RN Better Than LPN?
| Occupation | Employment | New Employment Growth (2020-2030) | |||
| 2020 | 2030 | Number | % | ||
| RN | 102,590 | 110,750 | +8,160 | +7.95% | |
| LPN | 13,180 | 14,070 | +890 | +6.75% | |
| Difference | +89,410 | +96,680 | +7,270 | +1.20% | |
| (Source: Careeronestop.org) | |||||
5. LPN VS. RN Job Openings In Michigan: Are There More Job Openings For RN Compared To LPN?
| Occupation | New | Replacement | Annual Job Openings (New + Replacement) | ||
| RN | 816 | 5,534 | 6,350 | ||
| LPN | 89 | 1,031 | 1,120 | ||
| Difference | +727 | +4,503 | +5,230 | ||
| (Source: Careeronestop.org) | |||||
6. Average LPN-To-RN Salary In Michigan VS. Average LPN-To-RN Salary In The Nation: Who Earns More?
| Average Michigan LPN-to-RN Annual Salary | Average National LPN-to-RN Annual Salary | Difference | |||
| Number | % | ||||
| $86,210 | $94,480 | -$8,270 | -8.75% | ||
| (Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) | |||||
Darby Faubion, RN, BSN, MBA
Darby Faubion is a nurse and allied health instructor with over 20 years of clinical experience. Her work history includes clinical experience in pediatrics, mental health, addiction and behavioral disorders, geriatrics, wound management, and communicable disease. Darby has worked in hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home health and hospice agencies. Darby also has experience as a nursing and allied health educator at both community college and university levels. Her love for nursing and nursing education led to her becoming a test-taking strategist and NCLEX prep coach.