However, not all regions offer nurses the same perks, benefits, resources, and salary ranges. From having access to differing veteran benefits to varying opportunities for career growth, choosing the right location to practice as a nurse can have a huge impact.
This being the case, it’s important for aspiring nurses to have a keen understanding of different areas and how well nurses are treated there. Gaining perspective on this topic can make it easier for one to thrive and find success as a nurse in the modern era.
Here is an exploration of state-specific differences in nursing education and career outcomes.
Educational Options
While registered nurse wages are clearly different depending on state and region, educational options for aspiring nurses don’t typically follow the same pattern. In fact, the most affordable nursing programs span across a wide variety of states.
It’s important to note that some of the most affordable nursing programs are found in states with the highest wages for nurses, such as California. Conversely, some states with considerably lower average wages for nurses can have more expensive programs.
Ultimately, finding affordable nursing programs is more dependent on specific educational institutions, their reputations, the resources they offer students, and their specific programs than geographic location. As such, it’s important for aspiring nurses to do in-depth research before deciding on which program to attend to become qualified as a nurse.
Salary Ranges
Though the average person may think that all nurses receive a comparable income, the truth is that salaries can vary wildly depending on where one is located. As an aspiring nurse, one should understand discrepancies in nursing wages and salaries before deciding where to work as a healthcare professional.
When it comes to income, it can be helpful to have a rough idea of where nurses make the most and the least money. Here are some state salary ranges that can help aspiring nurses understand where they should practice.
States with the Highest Registered Nurse Salaries
For nurses looking to make the maximum amount of money possible during their nursing career, it’s imperative to have a clear understanding of which states offer the highest nursing salaries.
States with the highest salaries for registered nurses include:
California: Coming in at an annual mean salary of $133,340, registered nurses in California make some of the highest registered nurse wages in the country. However, it must be noted that California has traditionally been one of the most expensive states to live in. From higher housing costs to higher income taxes, aspiring registered nurses should be mindful of state-related expenses before pursuing a nursing career there.
Hawaii: Registered nurses in Hawaii make an annual mean salary of $113,220. This is the state with the second highest wages for registered nurses in America. However, similar to California, the cost of living in Hawaii can be extremely high. This being the case, it’s important for aspiring nurses to take this into account before becoming registered nurses in Hawaii.
Oregon: Oregon is third on the list of states with the highest salaries for registered nurses with the annual mean salary for these healthcare professionals coming in at $106,610. Unlike California and Hawaii, many metropolitan cities in Oregon are more affordable. This being the case, nurses can expect to keep more of the money they earn than in other states.
States with the Lowest Registered Nurse Salaries
Because registered nurse salaries can vary so wildly, it’s important for nurses to understand what they’re getting into before pursuing a nursing career in a specific region. In particular, it’s important to understand which locations offer registered nurses the lowest salaries.
States with the highest salaries for registered nurses include:
South Dakota: Coming in at an annual mean salary of $60,540, South Dakota is typically looked at as the American state with the lowest wages for registered nurses. While the cost of living is relatively low in South Dakota compared to other states, this annual mean salary is still staggeringly low for these qualified healthcare professionals. In fact, registered nurses in South Dakota typically make half of what they would earn in the same roles in California.
Alabama: With registered nurses making an annual mean salary of $61,920, Alabama is one of the worst places to practice as a registered nurse if one is looking to earn as much money as possible. However, it must be noted that the cost of living in Alabama can be relatively low compared to other states, allowing registered nurses to potentially save more of the money they earn.
Mississippi: Only marginally better than South Dakota and Alabama, registered nurses in Mississippi make an annual mean salary of $63,130. This being the case, aspiring nurses from Mississippi, South Dakota, or Alabama may want to think about moving before pursuing a career as a registered nurse.
Ways Aspiring Nurses Can Prepare for Career Success
While there can be stark differences in career outlooks depending on the state where one is practicing as a registered nurse, the truth is that there are key practices one can engage in to find nursing success.
Some amazing practices for aspiring nurses to engage in include:
Choosing the right program: Each aspiring nurse’s situation is different. As a result, it’s important to choose a program that suits one’s specific needs and can help one reach one’s specific goals. This can include criteria such as price, mentorship resources, and job placement opportunities.
Moving to the Right Location: The area a registered nurse is in can have a big impact on their career. While some may seek the highest wages, others may seek opportunities to make an impact on small communities. Depending on one’s personal ambitions, moving to a specific location can make it easier to achieve one’s nursing goals and find fulfillment.
Networking with Healthcare Professionals: While there is a steadily increasing demand for qualified nurses in healthcare, landing the best nursing roles can still be a competitive process. This being the case, knowing the right people can be incredibly valuable for aspiring nurses. As such, networking with healthcare professionals while studying to become a nurse can be incredibly useful for landing amazing roles.
Different States Offer Nurses Different Avenues to Success
Which state registered nurses practice in can have a huge impact on their careers. From variance in income to differing opportunities to step into advanced positions, it’s important for aspiring nurses to have a deep understanding of the modern nursing landscape. By putting time and effort into finding which states align with one’s professional goals, aspiring nurses can have an easier time finding success and reaching their nursing goals.
