University of Michigan-Flint Adds School of Nursing to Meet Nationwide Demand for More Nurses

Effective as of Nov. 1, the School of Nursing will become the fifth school at the University of Michigan-Flint (UM-Flint). The nursing program was originally part of the School of Health Professions and Studies but after a three-year vetting process will now stand alone as its own school.

As one of the fastest growing occupations in the nation and in the midst of a nationwide nursing shortage, UM-Flint recognized the opportunity to create a School of Nursing and took advantage. UM-Flint’s nursing program is well known for its hands-on approach, and the creation of the School of Nursing will bring on a full range of new programs and resources for their students.

The Department of Nursing at UM-Flint has a 45-year history of educating over 3,000 nurses and nurse practitioners. There are currently over 1500 students enrolled in pre-nursing or nursing bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs. More than 19% of students at the university study nursing or pre-nursing.

Director and Professor of Nursing at UM-Flint, Margaret Andrews, is pleased by the development of the School of Nursing and believes it will help better serve the surrounding community. The onset of the new School of Nursing will include new programs and partnerships with over 700 community organizations, providing a direct impact on the health of the local community. This progress will elevate the nursing program, making it more attractive by expanding the opportunities available to studies and faculty.

Transitioning into the School of Nursing is expected to enable the nursing programs to keep pace with the rapid changes in healthcare education and technology, create new nursing specialty programs, and achieve greater overall success through the launching of new programs to attract well-qualified and diverse and students and faculty.