Top 10 Best and Worst States to Be a Nurse

I agree with you Esnooopy, I am puzzled by these figures also. I am not sure where these pay rates were obtained, but I work in CA often as a traveler, and I make much more than is quoted here. And, the staff have quoted me their pay ranges as well, and it's considerably higher than these stats too, so....

Florida didn't even make the list. Why am I not surprised..LOL

I live in Ohio and as the charge nurse, with a BSN, on a specialty unit, I only make $25/hr after 4 yrs at that hospital. It's RIDICULOUS! It's certainly not a high enough wage to repay the student loan I had to take out to get the schooling for this career.
As many have said, I am exposed to pathogens toxins and bodily fluids daily. Staffing ratios are unsafe and I am treated like a personal servant, "Get me more jello, I'm hungry, get me this, get me that, wipe my butt...." I save lives and I work harder than alot of other professions, yet I'm paid way under par. I've really soured on my career choice and wonder all the time why I became a nurse. I don't enjoy this anymore.

HaHa! South Dakota made it to the bottom. No surprise: a 90% White, redneck, red state. They've been controlled by the party of NO for the last 30 years. They're are also known as the "Mississippi of the North." Losers!

I hate Nursing I have been an RN since 1983, and at that time I was being paid $25.00, today I get paid less and the hours are longer, and little to no benifits. The American Hospital Association will not allow Unions in every state, where do we go for help? The White man Whores who control the Medical Establishments make enormous salaries, as we get splashed in the face with toxic body fluids, are they more educated then a BSN, no they are not.. I am an American living in Miami, and the Hispanic Nurses get the jobs. I hate Nursing.

I would have to argue that just because a state has a higher wage doesn't mean it's a better state to work in by any means. When I moved from Indiana to Nevada last year, I took a job that paid me $10/hr higher than I made in Indiana, but it was awful to work there. In Indiana, I was used to CNA trained to do more work than they are legally allowed to in Nevada, so those tasks then fell onto the nurses. Also, my patient to nurse ratio skyrocked in Nevada. I frequently was forced to take a higher patient count than I felt I could safely manage. But when I refused I was told I could leave and be arrested at the door for abandonment. And I worked at the best hospital in my area??? They are also way behind on bringing in some technology that I have seen in various hospitals in Indiana for years. I would gladly trade a lower salary for better working conditions and better tecnology at my fingertips.

I agree with most of the post that the salary info is inaccurate because most hopsital in Maryland start you off with $25.00-26.00 per hour. As for there being alot of nursing positions open yes there are but they are for experienced nurses not new grads so for those of you about to graduate or presently in nursing school do your research and try getting your foot in the hospital door now with a patient technican position(CNA) because if you haven't had hospital experience in that or some other medical field you will have a hard time getting a nursing position. Also if your nursing school offeres a practicum,capstone, or intern/extern ship experience take advantage of that it will give you a foot up on those of us whose nursing schools have yet to offer those. Be patient and continiously apply for RN Clinical I positions and don't get discouraged if your don't hear back from facilities where you put in your application. Don't take jobs at facilities your gut tells you not to.

Live in MS, and I've never been paid that low, even right out of nursing school.