Best States for Entry-Level Nursing Jobs

71 Comments

The health care industry is facing an unprecedented nursing shortage, with a need of 1,000,000 new nurses by 2016. This means that the new generation of nurses needs to be trained now. If you are interested in a career in nursing you should gain experience by searching for an entry-level nursing job. Becoming a Home Care Aide, Certified Nursing Assistant or Medical Assistant is a great starting point for your nursing career.

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. Click on a job below to see the 10 best states for that career, or use the navigation buttons to scroll through each entry-level job.

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RNMars

over 4 years ago

2 comments

Bannie - I want to be sure I follow your last comment. I understand you as saying an RN with an associate in science - nursing (which we call an ADN in NY) cannot get a job with a Magnate hospital. Is that coeerect? Do I also understand you to say that only those RN's with a bachelor of science degree - nursing (BSN) are hired by Magnate hospitals? Thanks
Bannie

over 4 years ago

2 comments

For the person Wholistic Nurse....yes there is a shortage, BUT you and the other commentor are both correct. In town hospitals in Boston (which is the hub of the east coast) are NOT hiring non BSN RN's, and many have or acquiring magnate status which would ensure no RN would have only an AD....which is me. As well, there are hiring freezes in place in certain Boston hospitals too! It's true.

The other hand, across the state there are a multitude of jobs that vary from LPN/LVN to RN in all degreed forms. In some cases an LPN may have an easier time finding a job because there is no expectation of an LPN to have a degree, the program generally doesn't call for one, however, many institutions looking specifically for an RN , are looking for that BSN too.
WholisticNurse

over 4 years ago

2 comments

I have no idea what part of the East Coast you are talking about RNBSN, but I found your comments to be grossly incorrect on several points. I am a new Nurse on the East Coast in a very economically depressed area and am an LPN with aa 1 year Diploma and have had NO PROBLEM finding a job nor have I heard of any of my Nursing frieids spread all through the country having any problems at all finding jobs and many of them are LPNs as well. The restrictions you mentioned of many hospitals hiring only BSNs would be IMPOSSIBLE to implement with the acute Nursing shortage in this country expected to top over 1,000,000 in less than 10 years of nursing jobs that will need to be filled.
Kimmie_T

over 4 years ago

66 comments

I do Medical Assisting and CNA work and am planning to challenge the LVN certification exam. I am doing this to get into a nursing program faster. Having this training will help me in the long run in nursing. MAs and CNAs are alos the backbone of health care. We are like junior nurses. Take pride if you are one.
SchabatkaCMAAAMA

over 4 years ago

2 comments

I have a Associates in applied science majoring in Medical Assistant then went and took my certification test and passed. I am very glad that this web site even reconized the medical assistant and that they can offer in the medical field. I work at a small office that I am the first medical assistant to work there. I have had to prove my schooling and creditenal many times over. I would like more information on what classes that I would need to take to get in to a RN program. I have also worked for doctors that have yelled at me and now I know they have made me a better person for me to be able to move on and to find two great doctors that I would do anything for with in my scope of practice of course. I know that I will always be stronger medical assistant for the poor doctor that yells most dont share with other offices.
judybland

over 4 years ago

6 comments

You know i have a dipolma in medical assistanting,i have been trying to find a job and it
just don't happen. I think a doctor i worked for blackbawled me. I like to work with the patients
it is just hard for me right now. I was his right hand,everything was always ready for him. He
screamed and hollered at me inches away from my face,all because of one instrument.
nancysnurses1

over 4 years ago

4 comments

New Grad nurses do have the hardest challenge I agree as a specialty recruiter for nursing I know the pain they suffer trying to get placeds I talk to them everyday. But just remember the sooner you start nursing no matter where the better and the experience will be worth it to you.
Make sure you test the waters and find what you like and I would love to give you some field information where the most jobs are open and have the best compensation, and beneifts just give me a call 336-644-6300 x 122
RNBSN

over 4 years ago

10 comments

Keep in mind that this nursing "shortage" does not exist in all markets. Some of us are having a hard time finding postions as a New Grad Nurse.

Many hospitals will only be hiring those with a BSN in the future. This is true now on the East coast.

Just an FYI for those that are thinking of entering the profession.
lilttriana

over 4 years ago

12 comments

I guess I'm on the right path. Wow that's a huge shortage...
wiyuna

over 4 years ago

126 comments

i took my nursing course in malaysia ^^
frumpster65

over 4 years ago

88 comments

Wow..I need to move to alaska...I do have a friend there who is on a 4 yr contract..shes an MD..MAybe I need to email her and tell her I need a job...lol