Michigan needs more nurses. How Detroit-area students can answer the call

Continued education can help nurses strengthen skills that are increasingly important throughout healthcare, including evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient-centered care and healthcare-system leadership. The advertiser paid a fee to promote this sponsored article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of this site or affiliated companies. Behind Michigan's projected need for thousands of registered nurses each year are two important questions: Who will care for a growing number of patients, and how can aspiring and current nurses get the education they need to answer that call? The Michigan Center for Data and Analytics projects approximately 5,950 openings for registered nurses in the state each year through 2032. Nationally, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 189,100 registered-nurse openings annually from 2024 to 2034, largely because nurses are retiring, leaving the workforce or moving into other occupations. For Detroit-area residents, those numbers point to more than a workforce challenge; they highlight the value of making nursing education more accessible to people at different stages of their careers. 'Expanding access to high-quality nursing education remains one of the most effective strategies for addressing workforce shortages,' said Lisa Wagner, regional nursing director for the Michael O. Leavitt School of Health at Western Governors University. Finding the right path into nursing There is no single educational route that fits every aspiring or practicing nurse. Someone entering the field needs a program that prepares them for licensure and patient care, while an experienced nurse may be looking for the credentials required to move into leadership, education or advanced practice. Through the Leavitt School of Health, Western Governors University offers more than 20 health and nursing degree programs, including: A prelicensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) An RN-to-BSN pathway for licensed nurses seeking a bachelor's degree Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs focused on leadership and education Advanced practice pathways, including Family Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs WGU's prelicensure BSN program is available to eligible Michigan students. Coursework is completed online, while clinical rotations provide in-person experience with healthcare partners in the communities they serve. WGU lists the Detroit area among its Michigan clinical locations, with rotations generally assigned within approximately 60 miles of the designated area. Program eligibility, clinical assignments and licensure requirements can vary, so prospective students should review the current details for their location and career goals. Making education work for working adults Returning to school can be especially challenging for nurses already balancing shifts, family responsibilities and other commitments. Flexible education models can make continued learning more manageable. 'WGU's competency-based model allows students to progress as they demonstrate mastery of skills and knowledge, offering flexibility for individuals balancing education, work and family responsibilities,' Wagner said. Rather than measuring progress only by time spent in a classroom, competency-based education focuses on whether students can demonstrate that they understand and can apply the material. This can be particularly useful for experienced professionals who bring existing knowledge to their studies. Online coursework does not mean nursing education is entirely virtual, however. Hands-on training remains essential for students preparing to enter clinical practice. Building confidence before caring for patients Prelicensure nursing students must learn how to assess patients, communicate with healthcare teams and respond when a patient's condition changes. Simulation and clinical training give them opportunities to practice those skills before they are responsible for care in real-world settings. WGU prelicensure students complete in-person clinical rotations locally as well as in-person simulation experiences at an assigned WGU Clinical Learning and Simulation Center. The university's learning lab and simulation centers offer patient-care environments where students can work through clinical scenarios and then debrief with their learning lab instructors. 'Simulation-based training has become an increasingly important component of nursing education because it helps students develop clinical judgment, teamwork, communication and patient care skills in a safe, controlled environment,' Wagner said. The combination of online learning, simulation and clinical experience is designed to provide flexibility without removing the hands-on preparation nursing requires. Education can also open the next door For licensed nurses, further education can create opportunities beyond bedside patient-care roles. Depending on the degree and applicable licensing requirements, nurses may prepare for positions in management, nursing education, advanced practice or specialized care. Continued education can also help nurses strengthen skills that are increasingly important throughout healthcare, including evidence-based practice, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient-centered care and healthcare-system leadership. 'Addressing the nursing shortage requires more than increasing enrollment,' Wagner said. 'Future nurses must also be prepared for an evolving healthcare environment that demands clinical expertise, leadership and adaptability.' For aspiring nurses and experienced professionals alike, the first step is identifying the program that matches their current education, responsibilities and long-term goals. Learn more about Western Governors University's nursing and healthcare degree programs.