Question to Michigan nurses

suzanne4, RN · Mar 7, 2006

First, not all facilities treat their staff very well in CA, there are ranges in the state just as everywhere else. Sure, there are ratios in place, but that doesn't keep the horror stories away.

I grew up in Michigan, and trained there as well, and worked many years there also. Michigan has more of an established nursing community, there are not as mant transients as there are in CA. There are also not near as many travle nurse positions there, either. Though, per doem agency does exist and all over. Never had one issue with a facility there.

jenrninmi, MSN, RN · Mar 7, 2006

I'm happy as a nurse in MI. I've never had to work mandatory overtime (although I've only been a nurse for 9 months). lol. I live in the Grand Rapids area.

Kev702 · Apr 23, 2006

Hi all, I was wondering if you guys that are in the field can comment on what the state of nursing is in Michigan. I have been on this site a lot the last couple of weeks, and have noticed that some states treat their nursing staff very poorly, and some, like California seem to treat them fairly well. So I was wondering, is MI a good state to nurse in? What are the nurse/pt ratios like here? What is the situation on mandatory overtime? Any insight on these issues is greatly appreciated.

Hi Jenni!

I've been a nurse for almost 17 years, 15 of which were in Michigan (Detroit/Oakland County area). I left Michigan 2 years ago. I have to admit that my experience in nursing in Michigan is a little jaded. But, Michigan isn't a whole lot different than other places.

The biggest difference I have seen is that the nurses in Michigan seem to be a little older, on average, and there's also a "hang 'em high" mentality. What I mean is that rather than work with peers and support each other, nursing administration tends to throw nurses to the wolves, rather than work with them to improve a situation. Very "heavy-handed".

Michigan's Nursing Board is quite the opposite, though. My experience with the board is that they are fairly helpful and will work with you on whatever issues there may be.

Currently, I'm in Nevada - BIGGEST mistake I've ever made in nursing: very backwards emergency medical system (I'm an ER nurse) and also a very paper heavy and punative Board of Nursing (the pres of the board is a CNA!)

All in all, Michigan's not bad. Just watch your back....:wink2:

Kev

MamaTheNurse, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2006

Currently, I'm in Nevada - BIGGEST mistake I've ever made in nursing: very backwards emergency medical system (I'm an ER nurse) and also a very paper heavy and punative Board of Nursing (the pres of the board is a CNA!)

holy moly - nothing against CNA's, but how is it that the president of the BON is not an RN (or LPN)? at least someone licensed..........

I've only ever worked in Michigan but when I hear people talk about California, it calls to mind the story I heard from someone I know who is a traveller and who was in California last year - she said that the ratio is a joke - apparently, you can only have 4 patients, which theoretically sounds good, but acuity is never taken into consideration so you get 4 and that's that - you could have 4 super easy patients and read magazines all night or have 4 patients that require enough care for 8 patients - it's luck of the draw - she had both kinds of shifts and swore that in spite of the huge money she made, it wasn't worth to work in that sort of system............

does anyone know - is that true or just one person's bad luck at one institution?

catbillou · Apr 29, 2006

wrote a lengthy reply, and it disappeared:angryfire Now I will write a short reply just to make sure it will work. In short; Michigan to my standards does not treat their nurses well...

Sincerely,

CatBillou