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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.
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10 Top Paying States for Medical Assistants
The median salary for Medical Assistants is $13.19
| State | Hourly Wage |
| District of Columbia | $16.84 |
| Alaska | $16.84 |
| Massachusetts | $15.27 |
| Connecticut | $15.13 |
| Washington | $15.13 |
| New Jersey | $14.86 |
| Minnesota | $14.69 |
| Oregon | $14.62 |
| Colorado | $14.41 |
| New Hampshire | $14.37 |
Top 10 States with the Most Average Annual Job Openings for Medical Assistants
A Day in the Life of a...
Go to class with Assistant Professor-CT and Director of Student Services Dr. Ruby Martinez.
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There are, on average, 39,320 annual job openings for Medical Assistants in the U.S.
| State | Average Annual Job Openings |
| California | 2,880 |
| Florida | 1,830 |
| Ohio | 1,050 |
| New York | 1,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 800 |
| Georgia | 770 |
| Michigan | 760 |
| New Jersey | 700 |
| North Carolina | 660 |
| Arizona | 550 |
District of Columbia, Kansas, Texas and Virginia not reporting
Tasks
• Record patients’ medical history, vital statistics and information such as test results in medical records.
The Nursing Interview Quiz
• Prepare treatment rooms for patient examinations, keeping the rooms neat and clean.
• Interview patients to obtain medical information and measure their vital signs, weight, and height.
• Authorize drug refills and provide prescription information to pharmacies.
• Clean and sterilize instruments and dispose of contaminated supplies.
• Prepare and administer medications as directed by a physician.
• Show patients to examination rooms and prepare them for the physician.
Knowledge
• English Language – Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Medicine and Dentistry – Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
• 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.
• Clerical – Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
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