Detroit Nursing Schools
Detroit-area students interested in pursuing a nursing career have several schools to consider. This article discusses three of the closest schools, which are all 15 minutes or less from downtown Detroit. Examine the programs available, coursework and clinical requirements. Within the article is a handy table comparing school information, such as enrollment numbers, tuition rates, acceptance rates and more. Also included is a short section mentioning three additional school options.
- Wayne County Community College, which is one mile from downtown Detroit, gives students the chance to earn an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Nursing.
- Situated 2.2 miles from downtown, Wayne State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
- Students can earn a BSN, post-master's certificates or DNP at the University of Detroit Mercy, which is 7.3 miles from downtown Detroit. The school also offers an RN-to-BSN completion program.
Comparison of Schools
Use the following table to compare the three schools' enrollment figures, tuitions and overall graduation rates. Use this information to make the best education choice.
| Wayne County Community College | Wayne State University | University of Detroit Mercy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| School Type | 2-year; public | 4-year; public | 4-year; private not-for-profit |
| Total Enrollment (2021) | 12,749 (all undergraduate)* | 24,919* | 5,227* |
| Campus Setting | Large city | Large city | Large city |
| Tuition & Fees (for 2022-2023) | $3,042 in-district, $3,263 in-state, $3,998 out-of-state* | $14,675 in-state (undergraduate)*, $31,364 out-of-state (undergraduate)*, $19,789 in-state (graduate)*, $40,406 out-of-state (graduate)* | $31,058 (undergraduate)*, $21,626 (graduate)* |
| % of Undergraduate Students Receiving Some Form of Financial Aid (2020-2021) | 71%* | 99%* | 99%* |
| Undergraduate Acceptance Rate (2021) | Open admissions* | 63%* | 93%* |
| Retention Rate for Full-Time Beginning Undergraduates (2020-2021) | 64%* | 81%* 83%* | |
| Overall Graduation Rate | 10% (students began Fall 2018)* | 56% (students began Fall 2015)* | 67% (students began Fall 2015)* |
Source: *NCES College Navigator
Wayne County Community College
The Wayne County Community College District, located in Detroit, MI, has an annual enrollment of more than 14,000 students. The school offers associate degree and certificate programs in a number of areas, including emergency medical technology, dental assisting, business analytics, criminal justice, fire protection technology, manufacturing technology and nursing.
Associate of Applied Science in Nursing
Designed to prepare graduates for careers as staff nurses in various healthcare settings, the nursing associate degree program combines general education requirements with core nursing courses. The 63-credit hour program includes courses covering nursing foundations, human anatomy and physiology, nutrition, pediatric nursing, physical assessment, medical nursing, pharmacology and psychiatric nursing. Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses.
Wayne State University
Wayne State University's College of Nursing offers undergraduate and graduate programs that are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The College of Nursing also takes part in collaborative research with many local Detroit, MI, healthcare facilities, including the Detroit Medical Center, Henry Ford Health System, Beaumont Hospital and Wayne State University's School of Medicine.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
In addition to a traditional 121-credit bachelor's degree in nursing, Wayne State University offers a 62-credit second-career bachelor's program for students who have already completed undergraduate coursework in another field. Both programs require students to complete core nursing courses covering care of children and families, health assessment, pathophysiology, implications of drug administration, restorative care of adults and nursing research.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)
Designed to equip nurses with skills for advanced practice as certified nurse specialists or nurse practitioners, the master's degree program focuses on preparing graduates to care for culturally diverse families, individuals and groups. Clinical specialties available as part of the master's degree program include neonatal nursing, acute and primary pediatric nursing, psychiatric/mental health nursing and nurse-midwifery. The master's program requires that students hold licensure as registered nurses in Michigan before starting.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing
The PhD in Nursing program emphasizes providing students with the knowledge to make original, significant contributions to the field of nursing. The program allows a student to enter either after attaining a master's degree or as a post-BSN student interested in earning a master's and doctoral degree (or a doctoral degree alone). The curriculum focuses on theory development, a strong knowledge of human health care and a background in research and statistics. Graduates are prepared for careers in scientific, clinical and academic environments.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Preparing graduates to practice at an advanced level of nursing science, the DNP program stresses the students' ability to impact clinical health care settings as educators and leaders. By studying research and discovery in the nursing field, graduates are prepared to solve clinical problems in health care settings. This program requires the completion of 78 credits.
University of Detroit Mercy
The McAuley School of Nursing at the University of Detroit Mercy offers clinical experiences through partnerships with various health care clinics in the area, such as the Beaumont Health System, Detroit Medical Center, Trinity Health and the McLaren Health Care Corporation. In addition, this school offers a 10:1 student to faculty ratio, which allows for greater levels of personal attention.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
The BSN program is at the core of the nursing school at this university. It is also known as a traditional nursing program for pre-licensure or transfer students. This full-time program includes courses in human physiology, nutrition, statistics, medical ethics and management in nursing. Completion of a comprehensive nursing practicum is also necessary.
RN-to-BSN Completion
This program is geared towards registered nurses returning to school to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing. The curriculum spans four semesters. Courses are available on campus and online. The curriculum includes the study of nursing informatics, ethics, patient safety and community health. Core requirements include courses in religion, history, philosophy and literature.
Post-Master's Certificates
There are three post-master's certificate options available through the McAuley School of Nursing: adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist, clinical nurse leader and family nurse practitioner. The adult-gerontology CNS major focuses on advanced nursing practices. This major calls for 200 practicum hours and 19 credits that can be completed in three semesters and a summer session.
Finally, the CNL program enables generalist practitioners to rise up to clinical leadership roles. Students learn about health care management practices, business planning, decision making and systems leadership. This program requires the completion of 19 credits and a clinical immersion project.
The FNP major requires 29 credits and a 4-part clinical practicum. The goal of this program is to provide students with the skills to treat chronic and complex health issues. Courses address health promotion, pharmacology, pathophysiology and a diagnostic workshop.
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
This terminal degree program combines informatics with an in-depth knowledge of advanced nursing theories and practices. Candidates for this program include clinical nurse specialists, nurse practitioners, anesthetists, midwives and MSN-prepared nurses. The curriculum includes 36 credit hours. Required courses include the study of information management, health care policy and ethical issues. A clinical practicum and doctoral project are required.
Other School Options
Associate of Applied Science degrees in nursing are also available at Henry Ford College, located 10.5 miles from downtown Detroit, and at Macomb Community College, located 12.6 miles away. In addition, undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at Madonna University, located 15.9 miles away.