“Reapply or Lose Your Job”: Nurses Protest New BSN Mandate at Michigan Youth Facility
Nurses at Oakland County’s Children’s Village, a juvenile detention and residential treatment center in Pontiac Michigan, are protesting a county decision requiring them to reapply with a new educational requirement mandating a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for their jobs. The restructuring plan, announced on February 19, 2025, has sparked widespread concern among staff and community members about potential disruptions to care for the vulnerable youth the facility serves.
Restructuring Plan Sparks Controversy
Under the proposed changes, current nursing positions will be eliminated by July 11, 2025. Nurses who wish to remain employed must reapply for newly created "Public Health Nurse" roles. These positions require a bachelor’s degree and membership in the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA) union, which is a health and human services department standard and would result in nurses losing their seniority rights under their current union, the Michigan Association of Public Employees (MAPE). MAPE has criticized the county for failing to involve them in discussions leading up to the decision. The union claims it was not informed about the restructuring until after it was announced, despite being under an active contract with Oakland County.
Nurses with associate's degrees are concerned about the cost of college, the time needed for school and whether a bachelor degree can be obtained before the 18-month deadline. Nurses with bachelor degrees are upset that they must also reapply for their jobs, despite no performance issues.
Concerns Voiced at Commissioners Meeting
During a March 19, 2025, Oakland County Board of Commissioners meeting, spoke out against the restructuring. They emphasized their years of experience working in a unique environment that combines medical care with juvenile justice. One nurse expressed her concerns and described the plan as destabilizing, saying it undermines the continuity of care for children who rely on trusted caregivers. They emphasized their specialized expertise in working with at-risk youth and warned that replacing them could disrupt critical services. Another nurse expressed concern, saying that forcing staff to reapply for their jobs "does not feel like progress but rather destabilization".
Union president and Children's Village employee, who spoke on behalf of the nursing staff, highlighted that many of the current nurses, despite being registered and experienced, would be ineligible for their roles due to a new mandate requiring a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. This decision, they argued, disregards the years of dedicated service and the unique skills these nurses bring to the vulnerable children they care for. Sean Miller, an elected official, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the move would unjustly terminate experienced nurses who have built trust and rapport with the children. He questioned the rationale behind prioritizing a degree over practical experience, stating, "A degree does not replace experience, compassion, and institutional knowledge."
County Executive David Coulter defended the restructuring as part of a "progressive vision" for Oakland County but failed to provide clarity on how the restructuring would enhance services or address staffing concerns, potential impacts on care quality, broader national trends, and any legal challenges arising from union exclusion.
Next Steps and Advocacy Efforts
With less than four months until the restructuring takes effect, nurses and their supporters are ramping up advocacy efforts by creating a Change.org petition opposing the plan highlights concerns that experienced staff could be lost, urging county officials to reconsider the plan and prioritize workforce stability to ensure uninterrupted care for Children’s Village residents. Nurses argue that their years of experience working in such a specialized environment cannot be easily replaced. The petition has garnered significant community support, with many emphasizing the critical role these nurses play in providing specialized care to at-risk youth and acting on the quality of care provided to the children. Whether these efforts will lead to changes remains uncertain.
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