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Top 10 Best and Worst States to Be a Nurse
NursingLink.com and CareerVoyages.gov
There is a projected need for 1,001,000 nurses needed in the United States by 2016. Nurses are one of the most in demand professions in America, but with so many job openings, it begs the question: Where should you work? NursingLink is committed to providing its members with the most most pertinent career research available. Below is the 10 best and worst places to be a Nurse based on salary and job openings.
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Top 10 States with the Least Nurse Job Openings
| State | Average Annual Job Openings |
| 1. Rhode Island | |
| 2. New Mexico | |
| 3. South Dakota | |
| 4. Montana | |
| 5. Delaware | |
| 6. Hawaii | |
| 7. North Dakota | |
| 8. Vermont | |
| 9. Alaska | |
| 10. Wyoming |
skichik
almost 5 years ago
2 comments
These wages are obviously not RN wages. Does anyone know where to find accurate RN wages? I graduated in Jan and took a job in Utah for $21 an hour which does not cut it financially for all the schooling and care I provide. I am interested in OR, CA, WA or CO. Thanks
cchrist1
almost 5 years ago
18 comments
itsmykee - Could you please tell me where to seek employment in this area at that pay?! I am going to be graduating soon and am trying to decide where to go and what to do. I live in Florida now and have never heard of such a high sign on and retention bonus! WOW! Any advice? Hospital? Thanks so much....I have not heard or seen any sign on or retention bonus here in our area, and starting RN's make $21.50 an hour.
nursejojo757
almost 5 years ago
10 comments
Where is Alabama? The pay here is very low, especially when compared to when I worked in California and things are just as expensive as far as cost of living from what I'm experiencing. these taxes are outrageous!
mbracc
almost 5 years ago
2 comments
Luby200, I think these are salaries for LPN
luby200
almost 5 years ago
2 comments
Not sure where the information on top 10 highest paid nurses came from. Very inaccurate! I have only been a nurse since 2004. I have had different rn jobs and never maid less than $30/hr to start. Most positions in CT start anywhere between $30-$50/hr. For example check out "Favorite Nurses" based in Hartford. There are many others as well. However, there is a catch, the cost of living in CT is extremely high.
laura59
almost 5 years ago
408 comments
Some of the states with the higher salaries have some of the fewest openings. No surprise there. You should have Tennessee on the low salary scale (at least parts of TN).
dfwrecruit4u
almost 5 years ago
10 comments
If anyone lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth Texas area, I am a recruiter for Quality Care. Quality Care has been staffing the local area hospitals since 1999 and we have numerous prn and contract opportunities for RNs and LVNs. We offer top rates to our nurses. Check us out at www.qualitycarenurses.com or call us at (214) 418-7888
EliteRN
almost 5 years ago
20 comments
Hello Fellow RN's......All your comments are Sincere. We as Nurses Must speak up and become one cohesive Unit. We were told even at our youngest age that there is strength in numbers. This is so true. and so valuable to us as Nurses. We must stay together. My Name is Jeremy Balmer. I am a RN and a Partner in a fast growing agency based in Hilton NY called Elite Staffing. You can visit us online at www.elitestaffingnursing.com. We offer high pay for quality nursing services thru Independent Contracts with our local hospitals. Sign up on our mailing list and give us a call toll free at 1-866-304-9840. We look forward to hearing from you. And remember.
Together We Are Stronger.
Account Removed
almost 5 years ago
Des Moines ,IA grads starting pay at mercy medical center $22.50
tjbart
almost 5 years ago
16 comments
I live in northeastern, Pa. Rn hourly start rate is about the same as what scroakman from Rochester, NY has in her commments. I was recently working on the med/surg floor at a local hospital on second shift. They gave a 60cents per hour shift differential for working second shift !!!! What an insult ! They wonder why no one wants to work that shift. You never see your family, there is never enough help, and there isn't any incentive.
By the way mashall4 LPNs start at around $13/hr in my area. I recently found this out and was very surprised. I feel that LPNs should get a much better rate than that.
Mel23
almost 5 years ago
12 comments
And saying about the cost of living, isnt that bad, we pay almost $800 for a 1,500sq footage apartment in a nice area, and luxury aptms are around $900- $1000
Mel23
almost 5 years ago
12 comments
Thats nothing, I read a posting from a hospital in NY that for RN with at least 2 yrs of experience the starting pay is $45.00 an hour, same experience for lpn is $25 and CNA same experience $15.00 not bad!!!
bobbyswife
almost 5 years ago
2 comments
After reading these comments I can honestly say that I am so happy that I have choosen to go back to school and (keeping my fingers crossed) within 3 years have my degree in the Nursing field but specializing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I am very determined to set the foundation for my 3 children that I have including one who is Severly Deaf and the new addition to our family in the beginning of 2009. I wish everyone luck and happiness!
duncankelly_attnet
almost 5 years ago
2 comments
In, Texas, Dallas and Houston are the two top paying cities. However, if you work at a small hospital out in the country GN make typically from $19.50 to $21.50 base pay. So, basically it's where and what you are doing.
caligirl1825
almost 5 years ago
2 comments
I live in the heart of California and as a current Certified Medical Assistant (going to school for nursing) I am making $19.39 an hour. On average a LVN here will make $25-$32 an hour and RN's make $42-$90 an hour. It all depends on what hopital you work in and what specialty you work in. Even though California has high salaries you can't forget how expesive the cost of living is here. As of right now your paying an average of 1,200 a month for a 1 bedroom apartment and an average of 650,000 for a 1,500 sq ft house. There pros and cons to living in California.