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Best States for Entry-Level Nursing Jobs
Jon Wirt and CareerVoyages.gov
With so many nursing 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 places for an entry level nursing job based on salary and job openings.
10 Top Paying States for Home Health Aides
The median salary for Home Health Aides in the U.S. is $9.62
| State | Hourly Wage |
| Alaska | $13.15 |
| Connecticut | $12.76 |
| Rhode Island | $11.90 |
| Massachusetts | $11.90 |
| Hawaii | $11.79 |
| Delaware | $11.50 |
| New Hampshire | $10.97 |
| New Jersey | $10.91 |
| Minnesota | $10.75 |
| Colorado | $10.68 |
Top 10 States with the Most Average Annual Job Openings for Home Health Aides
There are, on average, 45,410 annual job openings for Home Health Aides in the U.S.
| State | Average Annual Job Openings |
| New York | 5,110 |
| California | 2,500 |
| North Carolina | 2,120 |
| Ohio | 1,970 |
| Florida | 1,600 |
| Minnesota | 1,450 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,350 |
| New Jersey | 1,300 |
| Michigan | 1,050 |
| Wisconsin | 890 |
District of Colombia, Kansas, Texas and Virginia not reporting
Tasks
• Maintain records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems to report and discuss observations with supervisor or case manager.
• Provide patients with help moving in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs or automobiles, and with dressing and grooming.
• Provide patients and families with emotional support and instruction in areas such as caring for infants, preparing healthy meals, living independently, or adapting to disability or illness.
• Change bed linens, wash and iron patients’ laundry, and clean patients’ quarters.
• Entertain, converse with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
• Plan, purchase, prepare, or serve meals to patients or other family members, according to prescribed diets.
• Direct patients in simple prescribed exercises or in the use of braces or artificial limbs.
Knowledge
Customer and Personal Service – Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
pbmarie
10 months ago
4 comments
Im going through the same thing! I graduated in Dec 2011 and passed the NCLEX in March 2012. It's now the end of July and still nothing. I;m trying not to get discouraged but it's so hard. I apply for many jobs, even some in a lower status than a RN, go to the hospitals and nursing homes and nothing. Sometimes I don't even get a call back. I ended up landing a gig as a Live-In Caregiver in April just to make ends meet but even that isn't enough. Im sad and frustated but know that I can't give up. That day will come when I get that important call. Don't give up guys!!
nnrpece
12 months ago
6 comments
As a new graduate it is important to not give up and to continue applying and trying. I am there right now. It can be frustrating, but I keep reminding myself why I chose this career path, and that was to be a positive light in humanity. The economy is tight, nurses are not retiring, and hospitals are on tighter budgets. There is little to no training for new grad nurses. It is a catch 22... they want experience yet no one will hire you because you do not have experience. Colleges are not forthcoming with this information, yet they know it. They will recruit you into the field but you are on your own once you graduate and pass the boards. But again I stress do not give up! I graduated this past March, took the boards in April, and ACLS in May, I think it is good to coninue education. Next I am thinking of taking a class to learn spanish, they key may be to set yourself apart from the other applicants. Good luck to all of you who are looking like I am.
couponsx
over 1 year ago
46 comments
I started out in Virginia and the pay was really good. So I'd say Virginia should be on that list.
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Lika812
over 1 year ago
2 comments
I graduated with ADN and passed the NCLEX in July 2010. I have four years of experience working as an LPN. A year later and having searched in four states and applying for over a hundred postions, I have only gotten three interviews and the same old answer. "We are looking for someone with at least a year of acute care experience". I am very frustrated and fear becoming homeless if I don't find something soon. I should have become a truck driver instead.
lennya
almost 2 years ago
12 comments
I am glad I found this resource, this website overall it's very helpful for nurses, the information here is very pertinent. Actually at some point this website does the same thins as a peo company, it offers employment support.
couponsx
almost 2 years ago
46 comments
I am currently in college going for my ADN in Nursing and will be graduating in 2011. I'm hoping by then I won't have much of a problem finding a job even tho there are 2 hospitals here in Albany, GA but that doesn't stop me from checking other towns for gainful employment as an entry level grad nurse. Wish me luck with my studies..........I'm gonna need it. LOL yeah right.........
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newgradnurse
about 2 years ago
6 comments
I graduated in 1/11 and passed my N-CLEX also. I have been searching for a job but keep hearing "we don't need any nurses." I thought there was a shortage. I graduated with honors and still can't find a job. What's going on out there.
Nursegal82
about 2 years ago
2 comments
I just graduated in Dec. '10 in Orlando, FL and took and passed the NCLEX in Feb. '11. Thinking that once I take this exam, I would be more attractive to employers, but that's hardly the case. Experience and "who you know" is what matters. I have been only searching for about 3 or 4 months, but it is getting exhausting and tearing down my ego a bit. I'm using everyone in the industry I know, but they seem to not be any help for some reason. I even had a friend email me saying her unit was hiring and to contact her manager. I did that and heard nothing. I was just told to go to HR and apply, which I had already done. Dead end. I know there's a job out there for me, but the journey to it is so very frustrating. Especially when your friends and family question the time it's taking to get a job. It's not easy.
yelenakh
over 2 years ago
2 comments
I graduated in May, 2010, and passed my NCLEX on July 6, 2010. I'm working at oncology/hematology doctors' office. I distributed my resume to all hospitals in NYC., but still did NOT get any calls from nurse recruiters.
deniselovesjazz
almost 3 years ago
8 comments
I will be starting my BSN accelerated program at the Goldfarb School of Nursing in Jan of 2011. I feel encouraged and excited about beginning a new career for myself. I will not allow negativity to enter the picture as I do believe that you have to think and act positive to get anywhere in life. I do hope the new grads find work very soon. Flexibility is the key and you have to crawl before you walk.
kaufer01
almost 3 years ago
2 comments
I graduated in May 09, passed my NCLEX in July 09, and I have yet to find a nursing job. Now I've got my EMT-B cert. and am working as an emt, but still looking for nursing jobs. I'm having a hard time even getting an interview.
bariql
about 3 years ago
8 comments
I graduated in Dec09 & passed the NCLEX on Feb10. I live in the Philadelphia area and I am having a very difficult time finding a new grad BSN-RN position. I am hoping that I find something soon because I can't relocate any where right now... I am praying that something comes up; this is my dream job to be and practice nursing.
freshcholo
over 3 years ago
6 comments
here in south Florida theres plenty of jobs for new grads, I have been a nurse for two years and i didnt have any problems finding a job or anybody from my class that i talked to. we have a huge shortage here, when i worked in the hospital we always had too many pts, now i work in a drug rehab and i make more money then the hospital and the job is so relaxing compared to the hospital.
freshcholo
over 3 years ago
6 comments
here in south Florida theres plenty of jobs for new grads, I have been a nurse for two years and i didnt have any problems finding a job or anybody from my class that i talked to. we have a huge shortage here, when i worked in the hospital we always had too many pts, now i work in a drug rehab and i make more money then the hospital and the job is so relaxing compared to the hospital.
Elsah5
over 3 years ago
2 comments
After reading all the comments on this board I am very concerned for my future. I am a middle-aged woman with four children who was layed off from factory work in July 2009, and started taking my pre-reqs in order to get into the nursing program which begins in 2011. I chose the nursing profession because I like to take care of people, the wide range of specialities, the benefits, the monetary compensation, and the job security. If not nursing-what would be another suggestion? Please comment with your input.