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Janice Monti's extensive publication record spans social science, popular culture, and race. After earning her Ph.D. from Carleton University, she taught sociology at Dominican University for over 30 years, where she held the Distinguished Service Pr...
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Updated February 10, 2023
Discover the top states to work as a nurse based on salary, cost of living, diversity, employment opportunity, and much more.
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The U.S. employs close to 3,000,000 registered nurses (RNs) earning average annual salaries just over $80,000. While employment prospects for healthcare workers remain promising across the country, some states offer nursing professionals greater job opportunities, more favorable work environments, and a better quality of life.
By comparing salaries, employment opportunities, cost of living, and levels of racial diversity in the workforce, nursing students and recent graduates can choose the best fit for their professional and personal needs.
Based on population and occupational data gathered from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and other sources, these rankings utilize a methodology that analyzes eight different metrics, weighted for each of the 50 states. More information about the variables and sources used to construct these rankings for the top states can be found at the end of this guide.
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The Top 10 States for Nurses
1. California
California offers a desirable place to live and work. Not only does it rank first among all 50 states for RN salaries, but California's rich tapestry of racial and ethnic groups forms one of the most diverse nursing workforces in the nation.
- Weighted Average Score: 103.3
- Average Annual RN Salary: $120,560
- Cost of Living Index: 142.4
- Projected RN Employment Growth: 16.7%
- Nursing Workforce Diversity Index: 98.5
2. Washington
Washington's nurses earn higher average annual salaries than most other states, but they pay more for essentials, such as housing, transportation, and food. However, when adjusted for cost of living, nursing salaries remain close to the national average.
- Weighted Average Score: 94.5
- Average Annual RN Salary: $91,310
- Cost of Living Index: 113
- Projected RN Employment Growth: 20.5%
- Nursing Workforce Diversity Index: 74.5
3. New York
New York offers something for everyone, from the excitement of the Big Apple to beautiful upstate landscapes. Nurses seeking to work in New York can expect one of the highest rates of job growth through 2030 and higher salaries than other parts of the country.
- Weighted Average Score: 92
- Average Annual RN Salary: $89,760
- Cost of Living Index: 146.6
- Projected RN Employment Growth: 24.6%
- Nursing Workforce Diversity Index: 79.9
4. Texas
Nurses in Texas can find a promising job outlook, the opportunity to join a diverse workforce, and reasonable living expenses. The state ranks in the 90th percentile for RN salaries when adjusted for cost of living.
- Weighted Average Score: 91.6
- Average Annual RN Salary: $76,800
- Cost of Living Index: 92
- Projected RN Employment Growth: 16.8%
- Nursing Workforce Diversity Index: 98.1
5. Arizona
The Grand Canyon state provides a welcoming environment for nurses. Arizona's growing population and popularity with retired baby boomers have contributed to expanding employment opportunities. Nursing salaries, adjusted for cost of living, rank among the top 10 of all 50 states.
- Weighted Average Score: 91.3
- Average Annual RN Salary: $80,380
- Cost of Living Index: 101.3
- Projected RN Employment Growth: 35%
- Nursing Workforce Diversity Index: 73.3
6. Delaware
Although one of the smallest states in the nation, Delaware's location within the major northeastern metropolitan area makes it a desirable place to live and work as a nurse. However, RN salaries rank slightly lower than the national average.
- Weighted Average Score: 90.1
- Average Annual RN Salary: $74,330
- Cost of Living Index: 107.7
- Projected RN Employment Growth: 20%
- Nursing Workforce Diversity Index: 57.9
7. Colorado
As Colorado's population ages, the demand for nurses continues to outstrip the supply. Job seekers can expect a projected RN employment rate of nearly 30% by the next decade. RN salaries rank 16th in the United States.
- Weighted Average Score: 89.8
- Average Annual RN Salary: $77,860
- Cost of Living Index: 104.2
- Projected RN Employment Growth: 29.5%
- Nursing Workforce Diversity Index: 33.1
8. Massachusetts
Massachusetts remains one of the best states to work as a nurse. Nurses in the Bay State earn the fourth highest average RN salary in the nation, which helps to offset the relatively high cost of living.
- Weighted Average Score: 89.6
- Average Annual RN Salary: $96,250
- Cost of Living Index: 129.9
- Projected RN Employment Growth: 8.2%
- Nursing Workforce Diversity Index: 61.9
9. Maryland
Strong employment prospects contribute to Maryland's ranking among the top 10 best states. Projections estimate a large increase in RNs over the next decade with one of the highest rates of open positions per population.
- Weighted Average Score: 89.5
- Average Annual RN Salary: $81,590
- Cost of Living Index: 127.2
- Projected RN Employment Growth: 21.7%
- Nursing Workforce Diversity Index: 78.7
10. Nevada
Nevada attracts nursing professionals because of its rapid employment growth, racially diverse workforce, and high salaries. Although RNs may find living in Nevada more expensive than other places, their salary levels, when adjusted for cost of living, rank second in the nation.
- Weighted Average Score: 89.3
- Average Annual RN Salary: $89,750
- Cost of Living Index: 108.8
- Projected RN Employment Growth: 22.3%
- Nursing Workforce Diversity Index: 100
The Best States for Nursing Salaries
According to the 2020 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Report released by the BLS, RNs earn a mean annual salary of $80,010. While relatively high compared to other healthcare workers, RN earnings vary considerably by degree level, work experience, specialties, and geographic location. The lowest 10% make $53,410 a year, while the highest 90% receive $116,230.
This table reports the top 10 states with the highest RN salaries adjusted for cost of living. California takes the lead among the best states for nurses seeking a place to live and work. In the states with the lowest compensation (e.g., Alabama, Iowa, and South Dakota), RNs earn $60,000 or less a year.
| Rank | State Name | Average RN Salary | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $120,560 | 142.4 |
| 2 | Nevada | $91,310 | 113 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $89,750 | 108.8 |
| 4 | Washington | $96,250 | 129.9 |
| 5 | Oregon | $95,270 | 127.3 |
| 6 | Alaska | $96,230 | 133.7 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $80,960 | 100.7 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $85,720 | 116.8 |
| 9 | Arizona | $80,380 | 101.3 |
| 10 | Texas | $76,800 | 92 |
Although employers generally tie salaries to the cost of living, job seekers should carefully consider the amount of money needed to cover essentials for themselves and/or their families, including housing, transportation, utilities, taxes, food, and childcare. For example, California tops the list for both the highest RN annual wages and cost of living. For some nurses, the exceptionally high annual salary of $120,560 may offset living expenses.
Significant differences emerge when looking at salaries in relation to living expenses in specific areas within states. While California's overall cost of living ranks 42.4% above the national average, the cost of living in the major urban center of San Francisco is 86.1% higher than the average. In contrast, the smaller city of Fresno offers more affordable living costs, 2.4% below the national average. Other states in the top 10 may offer nurses lower annual salaries between $76,800 and $96,000 but with significantly lower cost of living indices than California.
The States With the Largest Projected Employment Growth
Several factors contribute to the projected RN employment growth between 2019 and 2029, including demographic transitions, healthcare reform, and changes in the nursing profession.
As the U.S. population ages, more aging citizens seek primary and preventive healthcare services, while some areas of the country experience nursing shortages. According to the 2019 AMN Healthcare Survey, 86% of nurses over the age of 55 plan to retire within five years, draining the workforce of its most experienced and specialized professionals. As a result of the Affordable Care Act, previously uninsured Americans have gained access to healthcare services, impacting the demand for registered nurses.
At the same time, already overburdened nursing programs face challenges training a new generation of nurses in sufficient numbers to fill the unmet need.
| Rank | State Name | Projected RN Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | 35% |
| 2 | Colorado | 29.5% |
| 3 | Utah | 28.2% |
| 4 | New York | 24.6% |
| 5 | Georgia | 22.5% |
| 6 | Nevada | 22.3% |
| 7 | Maryland | 21.7% |
| 8 | Washington | 20.5% |
| 9 | Delaware | 20% |
| 10 | Idaho | 19.9% |
In each of the top 10 states with the highest RN employment growth, demographic shifts emerge as the most significant force pushing the demand for nurses. Because people over the age of 65 have higher rates of healthcare utilization, the projected RN job growth remains higher in states with a large percentage of elderly residents. Delaware's senior citizens comprise 16.3% of the state's population, closely followed by Arizona at 15.9%. The U.S. average stands at 14% for the total population.
The population growth rate for young adults between the ages of 25 and 29 in Utah, Washington, Arizona, Delaware, and Colorado ranks higher than the national average. As these millennials enter the workforce and raise families, they will need primary and preventive healthcare services.
These states also deal with rising retirement and turnover vacancies. Georgia's current nursing shortage has reached a crisis level, especially in public health where the lower salaries hinder both the recruitment and retention of quality nursing professionals.
The States With the Most Racially Diverse Nursing Workforce
A diverse and inclusive nursing workforce fosters quality care for all patients regardless of their race or ethnicity. Nursing education increasingly emphasizes the importance of cultural competency, preparing graduates to work effectively with individuals from all backgrounds. For healthcare employers, a diverse workforce that reflects the demographics of their patient community enhances communication and improves services.
These rankings use data from the U.S. Current Population Survey and Simpson's Diversity Index that measures the presence of racial groups within organizations. Hispanics or Latinos make up only 7.9% of the RN workforce compared to 17.6% in all other U.S. occupations. African Americans comprise 13.4%, marginally above their 12.1% national employment level. The 8.7% rate for Asian RNs slightly exceeds their 6.4% national rate across all occupations.
| Rank | State Name | Simpson’s Diversity Index |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nevada | 71.7 |
| 2 | Hawaii | 70.7 |
| 3 | California | 70.6 |
| 4 | Texas | 70.3 |
| 5 | Washington D.C. | 65.2 |
| 6 | New Mexico | 61.8 |
| 7 | New Jersey | 60.8 |
| 8 | Florida | 58.8 |
| 9 | New York | 57.2 |
| 10 | Maryland | 56.4 |
The states with the most racially diverse workforces have made some progress attracting nursing personnel that more closely reflects the diversity in their populations. However, white females still dominate the workforce and represent the majority of nursing school graduates. Nurses who identify as Asian are slightly overrepresented compared to their percentage in the overall U.S. population.
According to the nursing advocacy group Campaign for Action, Hispanics or Latinos make up almost a third of Nevada's population but only 14% of its nursing school graduates. Hispanics or Latinos in California and Texas represent less than 30% of nursing school graduates, although they comprise over 39% of the population in each of these states.
Nursing graduates in Nevada who identify as African Americans have not increased beyond 4.2% between 2011 and 2018, although they form 9% of the total state population. In Texas, where African Americans make up 12% of the population, the percentage of nursing graduates has dropped from 12.2% to 11.4% since 2011.
The Complete Ranking of the Best States to Work as a Nurse
Employment prospects for nursing professionals at all levels in every state have been affected by several national trends. These include demographic shifts, the growth in the aging population, economic conditions, expanded healthcare coverage, and the availability of nursing graduates to fill vacancies resulting from turnovers and retirement.
Although the national nursing shortage has abetted somewhat over the last decade, job seekers just beginning their careers may encounter substantial variations in the demand for RNs. According to the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, RNs can expect deficits in some states and large variations in supply in other states.
Nurses can continue to find employment prospects across the United States. However, before making any decisions about where to live and work, they should carefully evaluate their opportunities in light of the information presented in this guide.
| Rank | State Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | California |
| 2 | Washington |
| 3 | New York |
| 4 | Texas |
| 5 | Arizona |
| 6 | Delaware |
| 7 | Colorado |
| 8 | Massachusetts |
| 9 | Maryland |
| 10 | Nevada |
| 11 | Georgia |
| 12 | New Jersey |
| 13 | Illinois |
| 14 | Minnesota |
| 15 | Missouri |
| 16 | Oregon |
| 17 | New Mexico |
| 18 | Hawaii |
| 19 | Alaska |
| 20 | Pennsylvania |
| 21 | Florida |
| 22 | South Dakota |
| 23 | North Dakota |
| 24 | North Carolina |
| 25 | Connecticut |
| 26 | Michigan |
| 27 | Nebraska |
| 28 | Virginia |
| 29 | Washington, D.C. |
| 30 | Rhode Island |
| 31 | Utah |
| 32 | Alabama |
| 33 | Indiana |
| 34 | Oklahoma |
| 35 | Ohio |
| 36 | New Hampshire |
| 37 | West Virginia |
| 38 | Arkansas |
| 39 | South Carolina |
| 40 | Wisconsin |
| 41 | Iowa |
| 42 | Tennessee |
| 43 | Wyoming |
| 44 | Kentucky |
| 45 | Kansas |
| 46 | Montana |
| 47 | Idaho |
| 48 | Maine |
| 49 | Vermont |
| 50 | Louisiana |
| 51 | Mississippi |
Methodology and Sources
The best states to work as a nurse were determined using a weighted average ranking across eight different metrics, including RN salary adjusted for cost of living, racial and ethnic diversity among the nursing workforce, projected annual RN openings per population, projected RN employment growth, NCLEX-RN pass rate, patient hospital rating, RN nursing supply and demand, and RN location quotient. Each state received an index score where the best performing state was assigned a value of 100. Indices were then weighted and averaged across states.
RN Salary Adjusted for Cost of Living
How much are nurses paid and how much of their salary do they keep after adjusting for common expenses such as housing, transportation, and utilities?
Projected RN Employment Growth
By how much is employment of registered nurses projected to increase in each state?
Racial and Ethnic Diversity Among Nursing Workforce
How much representation is present for nurses of difference races and ethnicities?
Nursing Supply and Demand
Which states have the greatest need for new nurses?
Patient Hospital Rating
Which states receive the most favorable reviews from patients?
Projected Annual RN Openings per Population
How competitive are openings for RNs based on each state's total population?
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
What is the first-time pass rate for new RNs applying for licensure in each state?
RN Location Quotient
What is each state's share of total RN employment compared to the nation as a whole?
Sources include Projections Central, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Health Resources & Services Administration, National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the United States Census Bureau.
Average RN salary, total RN employment, and RN location quotient were collected from the BLS' 2020 Occupational Employment Survey.
RN salary adjusted for cost of living was calculated using the average 2020 RN nursing salary per state adjusted for the cost of living index per state according to meric.mo.gov.
Racial and ethnic diversity among the nursing workforce was calculated using Simpson's Diversity Index with data from the U.S. Current Population Survey for nursing occupations from 2016 to 2020.
RN nursing supply and demand was calculated using the 2017 Health Resources & Services Administration's Supply and Demand Projections of the Nursing Workforce: 2014-2030. States were indexed by projected 2030 registered nurse demand, where the states with the greatest demand received a score of 100.
Data for patient hospital ratings use the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Patient Survey updated on December 10th, 2020. States were indexed by the percentage of patients who gave their hospital a rating of 9 or 10 on a scale from 0 (lowest) to 10 (highest).
Data for projected RN employment growth and projected annual RN openings per population are from ProjectionsCentral.com for 2018-2028. Data was unavailable for Louisiana.
FAQs
The Best States To Work As A Nurse | NurseJournal.org? ›
1. Hospitals. Around 61% of RNs find employment at state, private, and local hospitals. RNs who work in hospitals often perform a variety of tasks and care for different patients each day.
Which U.S. state is best to work as a nurse? ›- Alaska. Alaska. Total Registered Nurse Jobs: ...
- Massachusetts. Massachusetts. Total Registered Nurse Jobs: ...
- New Mexico. New Mexico. Total Registered Nurse Jobs: ...
- Connecticut. Connecticut. ...
- Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania. ...
- New Hampshire. New Hampshire. ...
- New York. New York. ...
- Oregon. Oregon.
1. Hospitals. Around 61% of RNs find employment at state, private, and local hospitals. RNs who work in hospitals often perform a variety of tasks and care for different patients each day.
What is the best and worst state for nurses to work in? ›Washington is the best state for nurses while Hawaii is the worst, according to personal finance site WalletHub. In a report released May 2, WalletHub determined the best and worst states for nurses. The site compared the states across two dimensions: opportunity and competition, and work environment.
Which state has the happiest nurses? ›- #5 Colorado. Quality of life ranking: #10. Average RN salary: $69,990.00. ...
- #4 Alaska. Quality of life ranking: #19. Average RN salary: $88,510.00. ...
- #3 Oregon. Quality of life ranking: #18. ...
- #2 Wisconsin. Quality of life ranking: #3. ...
- #1 Minnesota. Quality of life ranking: #2.
While nurses work in various settings, most jobs are in acute care hospitals and ambulatory care facilities. Some benefits of working in high-demand areas include competitive salaries, job security, educational development, and opportunities for professional growth.
What city pays nurses the most? ›This makes San Jose the highest-paying city for nurses as of May 2021 (according to the BLS). In the United States, the average salary for RNs is $82,750. Additionally, the median (50th percentile) is $77,600. Over $100,000 lower than the San Jose's average nurse salary is Decatur, AL, at $54,410.
Where pays nurses the most? ›Switzerland: Nurses in Switzerland have some of the highest salaries in the world, with an average annual salary of around $85000. Canada: Nurses in Canada earn an average annual salary of around $75000. Germany: Nurses in Germany have an average salary of around $65000.
Where is the easiest place to work as a nurse? ›One of the easiest nursing jobs to get into is in the field of occupational health. Occupational health nurses work in large industries, HMOs, and factories to treat work-related injuries and onsite illnesses. This type of nurse is employed to keep the workers on the job.
What states pay RNs the least? ›The lowest-paying states are South Dakota ($60,540), Alabama ($61,920), Mississippi ($63,130), Iowa ($64,990), and Arkansas ($65,810).
What state pays nurses the least? ›
South Dakota is known to have the lowest nursing salary compared to any other state at an average annual wage of $60,540.
What states are in nursing crisis? ›California has the worst nursing shortage in the United States. It's predicted that by 2030, California will be in need of over 44,000 nurses. Other states with major hospital staff shortages include New Mexico, Vermont, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Arizona.
What is the most chill nursing job? ›Institutional Nurses
These nurses administer more basic care and typically don't have to work long hours and overnight shifts, so this field of nursing tends to be low-stress. Even with less excitement, these nurses find fulfillment in providing basic and family care to those in need.
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses. ICU is an extremely high-pressure environment and these nurses work with patients who have significant injuries and disease with added morbidity risks. ...
- Emergency Department nurses. ...
- Neonatal ICU. ...
- OR nursing. ...
- Oncology Nursing. ...
- Psychiatric Nursing.
With no state tax, average rental prices, a lower cost-of-living, and 16th best salary for Registered Nurses in the USA, Texas ranks as the most affordable state for nurses to live and work in.
What is the easiest nursing job that pays well? ›What is the easiest nursing job that pays well? One of the highest-paying nursing positions is nurse administrator. These managers are responsible for hiring, training and evaluating their team of nurses.
Who hires the most nurses? ›| Industry | Employment (1) | Percent of industry employment |
|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 1,724,510 | 30.85 |
| Offices of Physicians | 208,760 | 7.50 |
| Home Health Care Services | 173,640 | 11.31 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 152,120 | 14.87 |
An LPN or LVN program usually takes around a year to complete, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). What makes an LPN or LVN preparation program the easiest type of nursing education you can pursue is its focus on training for basic nursing services only and its quick completion time.
How bad is the nursing shortage 2023? ›The percentage of nurses who said they were satisfied with the quality of care they provide also decreased from 75% in 2021 to 64% in 2023. About 94% of those surveyed said there was a severe or moderate shortage of nurses in their area, with half saying the shortage was severe, per the survey.
Why is there a nursing shortage 2023? ›The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these shortages to crisis levels, with demand for nurses outpacing supply in nearly every region.
What state employs the most nurses? ›
- California (274,650)
- Texas (207,810)
- New York (180,730)
- Florida (174,710)
- Pennsylvania (139,480)
- Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse – $120,000.
- General Nurse Practitioner – $118,000.
- Critical Care Nurse – $118,000.
- Certified Nurse Midwife – $114,000.
- Informatics Nurse – $102,000.
- Clinical Nurse Specialist – $95,000.
- Nurse Educator – $82,000.
- Legal Nurse Consultant – $81,000.
| Industry | Average Hourly Pay | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Care Centers | $40.73 | $84,720 |
| Specialty Hospitals | $38.86 | $80,840 |
| General Hospitals | $38.20 | $79,460 |
| Psychiatric & Substance Abuse Hospitals | $35.87 | $74,610 |
Highest paying cities in Florida for registered nurses
Florida nursing salaries vary from region to region across the state. The area where registered nurses are paid the highest is Miami, where the average RNs salary is $74,220 and 53,110 registered nurses are currently employed.
A registered nurse with 5 years of experience will make $35.93 per hour on average in the U.S.
Why are nurses getting paid so much? ›Nurses are in high demand
This also means that nurses have a great number of choices in terms of where they want to live. The medical field in general has many roles that are in very high demand, and as a result, the pay for these roles is often good.
| Years of experience | Per hour |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | $34.03 |
| 1 to 2 years | $36.58 |
| 3 to 5 years | $38.39 |
| 6 to 9 years | $39.78 |
The most stressful nursing jobs include ICU nurse, ER nurse, and NICU nurse. In these roles, nurses work in an intense environment with high stakes. They manage emergency situations and care for critically ill patients. Other stressful nursing jobs include OR nursing, oncology nursing, and psychiatric nursing.
What state is the easiest to become an RN? ›- Maine: 1-2 weeks.
- Maryland: 2-3 days.
- Missouri: 2 weeks.
- Nevada: 1-2 weeks.
- North Carolina: 1-2 weeks.
- North Dakota: 1-2 weeks.
- Texas: 2 weeks.
- Vermont: 3-5 business days.
North Dakota, Colorado, Texas, Florida, and Nevada are all projected to have the largest shortages of nurses, with North Dakota only getting 84% of its demand met. Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and New Hampshire are all projected to have a surplus of nurses in 2030.
Who is lowest paid nurse? ›
Licensed vocational nurses (LVN) and licensed practical nurses (LPN) are some of the lowest-paid nursing roles, but that is due to the fact that the educational requirements are less than most other types of nurses.
Why does Florida pay nurses so low? ›According to the report, the average pay for travel nurses in Florida had the biggest decrease out of every state, 41% lower than pay in August 2021. The report says this change is primarily due to the shift from travel to permanent nursing and fewer federal dollars for hospitals for large travel contracts.
Is the nursing shortage getting better? ›According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Employment Projections 2021-2031, the Registered Nursing (RN) workforce is expected to grow by 6% over the next decade. The RN workforce is expected to grow from 3.1 million in 2021 to 3.3 million in 2031, an increase of 195,400 nurses.
Are nurses underpaid in US? ›That being said, the average salary (across all specialties) for staff RNs is around $77,460 per year with an average yearly increase of around 3%. Breaking that down, after taxes (at a 22% tax rate) that's an approximate take-home income of $60,148 per year, $5,012 per month or $1,253 per week.
Why are so many nurses quitting? ›Staffing shortages were the top reason nurses cited for planning to leave their jobs, followed by needing better work-life balance, the survey out Tuesday said. Nurses also said they planned to leave their roles because their mental health is at risk and they feel a lack of appreciation.
Is there truly a nurse shortage? ›Close to a third of nurses nationwide say they are likely to leave the profession for another career due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new survey from AMN Healthcare shows. This level is up at least seven points since 2021. And the survey found that the ongoing shortage of nurses is likely to continue for years to come.
What is the average age of a nurse? ›Average Age Of Nurses
The average age of a registered nurse in the United States is 44, though this may change as the demand for nurses increases.
Critical care nurses suffer the highest rates of burnout.
This is mainly due to the nature of the job, as critical care nurses work specialize in the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU). As such, their work environment is constantly fast-paced, meticulous, and demanding.
What type of RN is most in demand? All RNs are in demand more than other occupations. The BLS projects 6% job growth for all RNs between 2021 and2031, compared to 5% job growth for all occupations. Some specialties that are in especially high demand are neonatal nursing, surgical nursing, and critical care nursing.
What type of nurse is most wanted? ›- Nurse Practitioner (NP) ...
- Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) ...
- Neonatal nurse. ...
- Geriatric nurse. ...
- Critical care nurse. ...
- Oncology nurse. ...
- Psychiatric nurse practitioner. ...
- Pediatric nurse.
Where are the happiest nurses in the world? ›
Norway, a Scandinavian country known as the land of Fjords, has one of the highest standards of living in the world as well as job satisfaction for nurses.
What is the hardest nursing major? ›Pharmacology, or the study of medication, can seem scary because of the sheer scope of the course. "It becomes one of the hardest classes for nursing students due to the depth and amount of knowledge needed," says Megan Lynch, RN and instructor at Pima Community College.
What are the lowest paying nursing fields? ›School Nurse - $61,727
However, school nursing is also one of the lowest-paid nursing specialties. ZipRecruiter reports that the median annual salary for school nurses in the US is $61,727. However, this range also ranges widely -from as low as $25,000 to as much as $96,000 per year.
1. New Hampshire. New Hampshire boasts the highest NCLEX pass rate average in the U.S., over 14% higher than the national average. In 2022, five of the state's eight bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) programs reported first-time pass rates above 90%, including a 100% rate for Plymouth State University.
What type of RN makes the most? ›Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) earn a nationwide average of $202,470 per year according to the BLS; this makes CRNAs the highest-paying type nursing job by a significant margin.
What setting do nurses make the most money? ›- Family Nurse – $113,000.
- Urgent Care Nurse – $113,000.
- Oncology Nurse – $113,000.
- Orthopedic Nurse – $115,000.
- Cardiac Nurse – $116,000.
- Emergency Room Nurse – $116,000.
- Neonatal Nurse – $127,000.
- Nurse Anesthetist – $189,000.
Highest-paying states for RNs, adjusted for cost of living
As of 2021, Hawaii tops the list at 119.3, while Mississippi comes in lowest, at 87.8. Adjusting each state's average RN salary by its cost of living index gives us a potentially more accurate means of comparing where nurses get paid the most.
- As of 2022, the top five states with the biggest hospital staffing shortages are New Mexico, Vermont, Rhode Island, West Virginia, and Arizona. ...
- As of 2022, the top five states with the least severe nursing shortages are Nevada, Utah, South Dakota, Idaho, and Texas.
Critical care nurses suffer the highest rates of burnout.
This is mainly due to the nature of the job, as critical care nurses work specialize in the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU). As such, their work environment is constantly fast-paced, meticulous, and demanding.