For both staff nurses and travel RNs, choosing from the best hospitals in Michigan impacts your career trajectory, income, and work-life fit. In fact, the top hospitals in Michigan are among the highest in the region when it comes to competitive pay, professional development, and nursing culture.
According to the Michigan Health & Hospital Association 2025 Workforce Report, RN turnover in Michigan averages 14.1%—below the national average of 16.4%—making it a stable environment for travel RN jobs in Michigan.
Whether you’re looking for permanent staff roles or travel nurse jobs in Michigan, this guide breaks down what excellence looks like and overviews the top 10 hospitals in Michigan.
Key Factors for Choosing the Best Hospitals & Travel RN Jobs in Michigan
Whether you’re evaluating staff roles or travel RN jobs, here are the top factors to consider when comparing Michigan hospitals:
- Nurse‑to‑Patient Ratios & Acuity: Safe staffing is key to nurse satisfaction and patient outcomes. For example, 1:4 is ideal for Med Surg, 1:2 for ICU. Always ask about typical ratios and patient acuity for your unit. Travel nurses should ask if float pool policies could increase their patient load.
- Support Staff & Resources: Facilities fully staffed with with CNAs, transport teams, phlebotomists, and rapid response teams help RNs focus on direct care and reduce burnout.
- Unit Culture, Communication & Turnover: Check for hospitals with shared governance, clear leadership communication and low turnover. Travel nurses should ask if mentoring or onboarding programs are in place.
- Magnet Designation & Nursing Excellence: Magnet-recognized hospitals signal high nursing standards, safer ratios, onboarding, and career-building opportunities.
- Online Reviews & Peer Insights: Use platforms like Glassdoor and Reddit to spot recurring themes in reviews. Look for mentions of “travel nurse,” “scheduling,” and “leadership.”
- Scheduling Flexibility & Work‑Life Balance: Clarify holiday policies, cancellation terms, guaranteed hours, and floating rules upfront.
- Technology & Innovation: EMR systems like Epic or Cerner make care easier. Ask if training is provided, especially for a travel assignment.
- Professional Development & Education: Look for hospitals that offer CEUs, tuition reimbursement, specialty certification, and clinical ladders.
The Top 10 Hospitals in Michigan for Nurses & Travel RNs
We created this list of the best hospitals in Michigan for nurses and travel RNs by looking at trusted sources like U.S. News & World Report and the Magnet recognition program. We also read through hundreds of reviews and comments from real nurses on forums like Glassdoor, Reddit, and other trusted job sites. This helped us put together a well-rounded guide to help you choose the right place to work in Michigan.
1. University of Michigan Health – Ann Arbor
Magnet Status: Yes
EMR: Epic (MiChart)
Notable Specialties: Cardiology, Cancer, Neurology, Pediatrics (C.S. Mott)
Highlights:
- Ranked #1 hospital in Michigan by U.S. News for 2025‑26
- Advanced clinical ladders and specialty units (e.g., transplant, burn, NICU)
- Known for professional autonomy, nursing research, and top-tier leadership
- Excellent travel RN contracts with built-in cross-training opportunities
Insight for Travel Nurses: U-M Health is a great choice for experienced travelers looking to upskill in specialized units. Contracts here often include longer orientation periods and opportunities to extend.
Common Reviews: Supportive management, access to world-class medical technology and patient-centered care. Some mention steep learning curve due to case complexity.
2. Henry Ford Hospital – Detroit, MI
Magnet Status: Yes
EMR: Epic (OneChart)
Notable Specialties: Level I Trauma, Cardiology, Transplant, Oncology
Highlights:
- Ranked #7 best hospital in Michigan by U.S News.
- Nationally recognized for innovation and teaching
- Epicenter of Detroit’s health system with multiple campuses
- Known for high acuity and fast-paced environments
- Completion bonuses and overtime opportunities for travel RNs
Insight for Travel Nurses: Expect a challenging but rewarding experience. Henry Ford offers high pay for ER, ICU, and OR specialties.
Common Reviews: Robust orientation programs, innovation and collaborative units. Some note the demanding pace of a large academic center.
3. Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital – Royal Oak, MI
Magnet Status: Yes
EMR: Epic
Notable Specialties: Surgery, Orthopedics, Pediatrics
Trauma Level: Level I Adult Trauma, Level II Pediatric Trauma
Highlights:
- Frequently ranked in the top hospitals in Michigan, ranked #2 best hospital in Michigan by U.S News for 2025-26.
- Strong community reputation and leadership involvement
- Known for quality improvement programs and robust CEU options
- High traveler demand and contract availability
Traveler Insight: Great for those wanting balance. High standards without the intensity of some academic hospitals. Travel nurses often report seamless onboarding and clear expectations.
Common Reviews: Excellent benefits, supportive management with an open-door policy, and continuous learning and improvement initiatives.
4. Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital – Ann Arbor, MI
Magnet Status: No (Magnet-like practices)
EMR: Epic
Notable Specialties: Emergency Services, Cardiology, Med-Surg
Trauma Level: Level I
Highlights:
- Community-based hospital with high nurse satisfaction
- Emphasizes work-life balance and family-friendly scheduling
- Ideal for those looking for meaningful patient connection without academic center pace
- Honored as a Top 100 Hospital by Fortune/IBM Watson.
Traveler Insight: Great for first-time travelers or those looking to recharge. Known for respectful staff dynamics and supportive administration.
Common Reviews: Supportive co-workers, responsive administration, and a genuine work-life balance and positive work environment.
5. Henry Ford Rochester Hospital – Rochester, MI
Formerly known as Ascension Providence Rochester Hospital
Magnet Status: No
EMR: Epic
Notable Specialties: Orthopedics, Cardiology, Neuro
Trauma Level: Level III
Highlights:
- Strong community reputation with Henry Ford system support
- Clean, modern facilities and updated surgical suites
- Solid retention and contract consistency for travel nurses
Traveler Insight: Ask about unit-specific policies. Strong option for Med Surg or Telemetry assignments.
Common Reviews: Supportive co-workers and focus on patient care. Some suggest verifying unit-specific policies and potential for fluctuating workloads.
6. Henry Ford Genesys Hospital – Grand Blanc, MI
Formerly known as Ascension Genesys Hospital.
Magnet Status: No
EMR: Epic
Notable Specialties: Critical Care, Surgery, Radiology
Trauma Level: Level II
Highlights:
- Advanced surgical technology, including robotics
- 24/7 emergency care center with high travel nurse demand
- High marks for teamwork and nurse empowerment
- Ranked among the top 15 best hospitals in Michigan by U.S. News.
Traveler Insight: Smart pick for ICU and ED travel nurses in search of steady work and good pay.
Common Reviews: Supportive managers and good technology, but clarify shift expectations and workload during interview.
7. UP Health System – Marquette, MI
Magnet Status: No
EMR: Epic
Notable Specialties: Emergency Medicine, Heart & Vascular, Cancer
Trauma Level: Level II
Highlights:
- Largest hospital in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
- Strong need for travel nurses due to rural reach
- Offers rural pay differentials up to 15% higher than metro hospitals
Traveler Insight: If you’re into hiking, skiing, or lakeside living, this is a dream contract. Great team culture and slower-paced than urban centers.
Common Reviews: Excellent work-life balance, friendly staff, and a welcoming small hospital feel.
8. McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital – Petoskey, MI
Magnet Status: No
EMR: Cerner (MyMcLarenChart)
Notable Specialties: Med-Surg, Ortho, Cardiology
Trauma Level: Level II
Highlights:
- Known for nurse-friendly policies and leadership responsiveness
- Ideal for travel nurses who prefer a smaller, community-based environment
- Located in a resort town with seasonal patient population
Traveler Insight: Perfect for RNs seeking high pay without high stress. Many travel nurses return thanks to manageable workloads and positive leadership.
Common Reviews: Praise leadership that listens and actively supports nurses, as well as a positive team atmosphere and good patient ratios.
9. Ascension Borgess Hospital – Kalamazoo, MI
Magnet Status: No
EMR: Epic
Notable Specialties: Stepdown, MedSurg, Orthopedics, Women’s Health
Trauma Level: Level II
Highlights:
- Recognized as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals by HealthGrades.
- Ranked in the Top 15 Best Hospitals in Michigan by U.S. News.
- Regional hub offering Level II trauma care and diverse specialty units
- Known for consistent contract availability and solid orientation for travelers
- Offers a slower-paced alternative to metro hospitals with a strong sense of community
Traveler Insight: Popular among first-time travel nurses and those seeking manageable workloads.
10. ProMedica Monroe Regional Hospital – Monroe, MI
Magnet Status: No
EMR: Epic
Notable Specialties: Women’s Health, ED, Cardiology
Highlights:
- Strong culture of teamwork, low turnover, and fair scheduling
- Popular choice for med-surg and step-down travelers
- Good transition environment for newer travelers
Traveler Insight: Great management and a steady schedule make this one of the best hospitals in Michigan for stability.
Common Reviews: Praise fair scheduling, manageable workloads, and a strong team feel with co-workers.
Why These Are the Top 10 Hospitals in Michigan for Travel RNs
- U.S. News Rankings: Each hospital is regularly ranked among the top hospitals in Michigan for quality and specialty care.
- Magnet Designation: Several hold Magnet status—indicating nursing excellence and career support.
- Traveler Feedback: These hospitals show up consistently in Glassdoor, Reddit, and Advantis feedback loops as solid picks for work environment, growth, and fair treatment.
- Contract Variety: Whether you’re looking for OR, ER, ICU, or Med Surg roles, these hospitals offer flexible contracts and good pay.
- Location Diversity: From Detroit to the Upper Peninsula, there’s a setting and lifestyle for every kind of travel nurse.
Work at the Best Hospitals in Michigan with Advantis Medical
Working at the best hospitals in Michigan is easier with a trusted partner who understands your career goals. At Advantis Medical, we specialize in matching travel nurses with high-paying, flexible contracts across Michigan’s top hospitals.
Here’s why over 700 five-star reviews confirm Advantis Medical is the #1 agency for travel RN jobs in Michigan:
- Transparent & High-Paying Contracts: See full pay packages with exact hourly rates, tax-free housing stipends and bonuses in our AdvantisConnect portal.
- Guaranteed Housing Support: Our team provides personalized housing assistance to help you find safe, furnished and pet-friendly options near your assignment for a smooth transition.
- 24/7 Expert Support: From credentialing and license transfers to on-assignment support, our team is on-call to help you with anything you need, so you can have peace of mind during your assignment.
- Personalized Job Matching: Your recruiter takes time to understand your skills and goals, matching you with travel RN jobs in Michigan that truly fit your lifestyle and goals.
Ready to explore hundreds of travel nursing jobs in Michigan? Connect with a Pro Recruiter today to find your next rewarding assignment with confidence.
