The Best States to Live in for Nurses

April 25th, 2016

While the medical industry is generally immune to economic downturns — with good jobs typically available all across the country — some states offer certain advantages as well as more robust employment opportunities. This situation applies to all professions within the field of healthcare, including nurses. Finding the right state to start or grow your nursing career simply takes some research and a desire to succeed.

What follows is a look at some of the most promising states for your nursing career. Good luck in your job search efforts!

Cost of Living and Quality of Life Are Important

Don’t forget to consider a location’s cost of living before deciding on relocating for a nursing position. While nursing salaries are higher in California, so are rent, groceries, and other expenses. Quality of life is also relevant, so if you enjoy going to the beach on a regular basis, a job in Vermont is probably not the best choice for you.

The Highest Nursing Salaries Are in These States

The five states with the highest salaries for nurses include: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Alaska. Unfortunately, all those states also have high costs of living, especially the previously mentioned California in addition to Hawaii. However, the beachcombers among you probably wouldn’t have too much of a problem paying extra in monthly expenses given the local scenery.

When you factor cost of living along with the highest average nursing salary, Texas, Michigan, Nevada, Idaho, and New Mexico are the states where your pay goes the farthest. All these states have their own unique advantages, from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the beautiful mountain lifestyle of Boise, Idaho.

The Most Robust Nursing Employment Markets

Looking at states with the fewest number of nurses per population, the top five include: Utah, Hawaii, California, Alaska, and Nevada. While the cost of living is high in many of those locales, you won’t have much competition when looking for a job.

Factoring in cost of living, quality of life, availability of jobs, and salaries, the five best states for nurses are: Washington, Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Texas. Needless to say, you have many things to consider and a host of options all over the country when it comes to looking for a nursing job.

Working with a knowledgeable recruiter gives you the best shot if you are looking for a nursing position. As one of the nation’s top healthcare staffing agencies, Pinnacle Workforce employs the best recruiters in the business. Make it a point to contact us at your earliest convenience.

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