Michigan hospitals are among the state's largest employers, employing 222,000 workers. They invest heavily in recruiting, retaining and training healthcare professionals to bolster the workforce and address thousands of staffing vacancies across the state.
Hospitals are one of the largest employers in many Michigan communities, collectively employing 222,000 full and part-time employees and are focused on solutions that build the healthcare workforce that patients need now and in the future. Significant investments are being made in the recruitment, retention and training of healthcare workers in Michigan. These investments are helping hospitals move in the right direction by filling the thousands of staffing vacancies in hospitals statewide.
The third annual MHA member workforce survey, which represents more than 95% of the MHA membership, shows the success of Michigan hospitals as they filled nearly 58,000 positions in 2024. Michigan hospitals continue to outperform other states with a registered nurse turnover rate of 14.1%, which is 2.3 percentage points lower than the national RN turnover rate average of 16.4%. Collectively, Michigan hospitals now employ roughly 64,500 RNs.
Healthcare workers remain in high demand as Michigan hospitals have 23,000 open positions. Below are the results of the MHA 2025 Hospital Workforce Survey, including the total number of hospital job vacancies by job category in 2025 and the total number of hospital employees hired by job category in 2024.
Beyond the doors of your local hospital, neighbors, friends and family members from all backgrounds and industries are contributing to the lifesaving care our communities need. More than one million Michiganders work in the healthcare industry, making a combined $72.2 billion in wages, salaries and benefits. Nearly 572,000 Michigan residents hold direct patient care jobs, providing medical or supportive care to patients. An additional 502,000 Michiganders work in indirect healthcare jobs, making sure that the doctors, nurses and medical professionals have the supplies and systems necessary to provide care.
The new MI Hospital Careers campaign aims to ensure students in high school and college know about healthcare career opportunities, as well as working professionals looking for a rewarding new career. Without addressing the existing healthcare workforce shortage, Michigan residents risk losing access to quality, accessible healthcare services within their local community.
Graduate medical education (GME) is a formal, hospital-sponsored or hospital-based training program for individuals who have completed medical school and earned an M.D. or D.O. degree. It includes residency, internship, fellowship, specialty and subspecialty programs. Completion leads to physician state licensure and board certification, allowing physicians to further their medical education while delivering much-needed care to patients throughout Michigan.
Healthcare workers across the country are experiencing a growing rate of incidents of violence against front-line caregivers, including workers in Michigan. Since the onset of COVID-19 in the United States, data shows violence against hospital employees has markedly increased: 44% of nurses report experiencing physical violence and 68% report experiencing verbal abuse during the pandemic. Michigan hospitals are increasingly focused on ensuring the physical and psychological safety of staff and volunteers, which is vital to continue delivering the highest quality of care.
While the MHA, MHA Keystone Center and Michigan hospitals are partnering to address violence against healthcare workers through trainings and through the work of the MHA Workplace Safety Collaborative, more can be done.
Workplace Safety PostersThe MHA developed workplace safety posters for members to display throughout their facilities, communicating the consequences of committing physical harm toward healthcare workers or hospital property. The informational posters are geared toward patients, families and visitors, with a couple of creative options available in two sizes. With the help of MHA Endorsed Business Partner AMN Healthcare Language Services, Spanish and Arabic versions are also available. Complimentary copies of the materials are available to MHA members by request through an online order form. Non-members may purchase materials at cost. Questions about materials may be directed to the MHA.
Many states rely on a state-level Nurse Practice Act to outline the scope of nursing practice and the professional and ethical conduct nurses must adhere to. Michigan eliminated the Nurse Practice Act in 1978 and incorporated all rules and laws regulating health personnel into a new Public Health Code, which now defines the practice of nursing in Michigan.
To help understand the difference in scope of practice between licensed practical nurses (LPN) and registered nurses (RN), the MHA developed the Understanding LPN and RN Scope of Practice resource.
This resource outlines specific job functions that RNs and LPNs can perform as defined by the Michigan Public Health Code, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Administrative Rules of Nursing, as well as CMS Conditions of Participation for both hospitals and critical access hospitals.
The guidance may be helpful as facilities experience staffing shortages and consider redistribution of job functions to other qualified medical personnel.
The MHA is working closely with the MDHHS to expand access to Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) statewide. The MDHHS aims to establish approximately 150 PRTF beds in the state. There are several key factors to consider if interested in establishing a PRTF:
The first step for hospitals or health systems interested in establishing a PRTF is to have a preliminary conversation with the MDHHS to learn more about the logistics.
Members interested in learning more about PRTFs should contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.
Phone: (517) 703-8601
Fax: (517) 703-0628
