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5 Best States for Nursing Jobs
NursingLink.com and Careervoyages.gov
California
The Golden State may be sunny in disposition, but its number of employed nurses is bleak. There is an estimated need for 291,200 RNs, 64,800 LPN / LVNs and 83,600 CNAs ending in the year 2016. That is a total of 439,600 available nursing-related jobs in California.
This is especially true in the field of geriatric nursing. As the Baby Boomers age and need more medical care, the demand for nursing dramatically increases.
To help alleviate California’s dire nursing shortage, California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the California Nurse Education Initiative which provides $90 Million over 5 Years through a public-private partnership to reduce California’s nursing shortage.
“Nurses are people of compassion and courage. Their profession is a labor of love and without them we simply could not deliver quality care for patients. California is facing a severe nursing shortage and it is absolutely critical that we open up the nursing profession to everyone who has the passion and potential,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “With this new Initiative we are going to improve the quality of health care everywhere in our state. We are going to provide more classes, more teachers and more resources to expand the ranks of nurses in California.”
California Nursing Jobs: Search >>
Nursing Salaries in California: Find Out >>
Network: Find NursingLink Members in California >>
marlaqa
over 4 years ago
2 comments
I don't think the Bay Area has a nursing shortage.I found out about that the hard way.I'm still looking though.
rischgirl
over 4 years ago
2 comments
How in the world did FL make the list?! I have been an LPN for 15 years, originally licensed in Ohio & currently work for hospice in FL, making $5 an hour more than when I began nursing in Ohio in 1993!!! FL sucks!! & there's an article stating hospices pay well when I have always heard that hospices are notorious everywhere for paying lower than the average!!
I'm in a rut, HELP!! I am 40 yrs old, separated from my husband, lost my father in '06 & I can't even hardly pay my bills with no cc debt; desperately want to get my RN & maybe move to another state but where do you get money for school? Have no time to go to classes & want to do home study thru The College Network. By the way, the Hospice I work for only pays $1,000 tuition reimbursement!!!!!!!!
Ikanhue
over 4 years ago
4 comments
Hello all you nurse out there. I've been in the Army for quite some time and I am retiring soon. I plan to retire in SOCAL and work per diem nursing. Any guidance from anyone out there?
LovePlayingNurse
over 4 years ago
4 comments
I have been a traveling Lpn for 11/2 yrs and so far Nebraska LTC has best pay and North Carolina DOC second at this time. California has an act of congress to go through before you get licensed, (IT SHOULD PAY WELL)
Janster
over 4 years ago
2 comments
How did PA make this list???? As far as I'm concerned, it's got to be one of the WORST, low pay, lying employers, waving carrots of benefits, then not being able to access them. I've had 4 jobs in less than 2 yrs, before finally finding something decent. Even though the pay still sucks, 30 yr RN.
FL was decent, and NC, NOT TX!
ergbu
over 4 years ago
6 comments
There are very interesting comments here on Nurse shortage areas. Living cost and raising nurse salary do n`t have direct relationship. Lets say if you get more money on your salary today, you will pay it tomorrow for app. bills. No net gain.
mcagenda
over 4 years ago
4 comments
How does MN rank? Just curious...
maryrn62200
over 4 years ago
14 comments
If you don't have objection to obtaining a diploma RN. Pennsylvania still has plenty of Hosptial RN diploma programs. Check it out.
DawnEmber
over 4 years ago
2 comments
I currently hold an unrestricted lisence in the state of south dakota but can't find a job. Either they want experience or the application is so complicated that I think we need an extra class just to fill it out. I am also a minority and am not sure if that is playing an active role in the rejections I am getting. I received my first rejection letter earlier this year. I thought there was a shortage? I am willing to move anywhere I need to so that I can start working in the career I chose. I also am looking for a program that will allow me to continue with my education but everything has a 2 year waiting list or is highly competetive. Something needs to be done about the situation. We need advocates, and if there are already some out there tell me where I can find someone who is actually going to listen to what we have to say and doesn't have their own agenda that they want us to push for them. I am so frustrated.
ptorrez
over 4 years ago
6 comments
I AM AN LPN READY TO BRIGDE INTO AN RN PROGRAM AS SOON AS I CAN FIND ONE , THERE IS SUUCH A SHORTAGE BUT THE STATE LEAVES NO ROOM FOR ERROR I STARTED SCHOOL FROM THE BEGINNING GED,CNA ALL PREREQ'S DONE AND NOW MY SCIENCE CLASSES ARE EXPIRING NOW WHAT? LPN IN CHICAGO CAN USE SOME HELP?
gwenf
over 4 years ago
2 comments
Lela2780 - what's your location? Have you tried going the Jr College route? I'm in a program that's competitive to get into, but there is no "waiting list", so to speak. I was accepted twice before I was able to actually accept my seat in the program. And yes it's considered a good program. Our NCLEX pass rate is something like 99%. After ASN degree, you can get a fast-track BSN. You can do an RN to BSN degree through University of Illinois in 16 months.
lacordes
over 4 years ago
2 comments
yea, its true. Nursing schools (at least here in California) are so impacted that it's very difficult to get in. Many schools have lotteries and its completely up to chance if you are accepted. Your chances might be better with a private school, but their tuition is extremely high. it's whatever you're willing to do...
Lela2780
over 4 years ago
10 comments
Thats awesome! If You can get into Nursing School. I can't find a program that doesn't have a three to four year waiting list. And I can't find anyone to help me out. I've emailed and called everywhere. I even considered joining the army to get my education. It's pitiful!
healthcare_
over 4 years ago
6 comments
Some people just don't realize what the cost of living is like in California --- particularly in the Bay Area. I've got a facility that is willing to pay a nurse manager of ER (who would be under a Director) $130 - $160k. But when you run a cost analysis calculator against say even some place like Denver or Dallas, and the difference is amazing.
Raejeanz
over 4 years ago
6 comments
I am a nursing student in NW IN. I would be willing to relocate to finish school in CA, can someone provide me with info regarding schooling. Raejean rivich69@yahoo.com