What states are in high demand for nurses?

States with high demand for nurses include California, Texas, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania, often due to large populations, while others like Alaska, South Carolina, and New Jersey show strong demand for growth or shortages, particularly for specific roles, with states like Washington, Georgia, and Oregon facing significant projected shortages by 2030-2035. Demand varies, with high employment numbers in large states (CA, TX, FL) and high percentage need in some smaller states or areas facing severe shortfalls.

What state has the highest demand for nurses?

Projected RN Shortages by State

California tops the list with an estimated 44,500 deficit in registered nurses, nearly three times the deficit in the next shortest state. Texas, New Jersey, and South Carolina will lack more than 10,000 RNs; Alaska, Georgia, and South Dakota will each be short several thousand.

Where are RNs needed most?

Below are the top five states and the mean hourly wage where RNs are most in demand.

• California, $71.31/hour.
• Texas, $44.08/hour.
• New Jersey, $51.44/hour.
• South Carolina, $40.83/hour.
• Alaska, $53.86/hour.

What state has the happiest nurses?

Top Happiest 5 states for nurses in the US

• #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.

What type of RN is most in demand?

Here are the most popular nursing specialties that are expected to grow rapidly in coming years:

• Neonatal Nurse. Babies who are born prematurely commonly experience a variety of health issues early on, and this is where a neonatal nurse comes in. ...
• Clinical Nurse. ...
• Dialysis Nurse. ...
• Nurse Practitioner. ...
• Nurse Advocate.

Top 5 Best States in USA for Nurses (2026)

Where do the happiest nurses work?

Top 10 Happiest Nursing Jobs

• Labor and delivery nurse.
• Radiology nurse.
• Gastrointestinal nurse.
• Cardiac nurse.
• Gynecology nurse.
• Pulmonary/respiratory nurse.
• Critical care nurse.
• Psychiatric nurse.

Do hospitals prefer RN or BSN?

Nursing school leadership estimates that over 80% of employers show strong preference for hiring BSN nurses while 43% of hospital and other healthcare setting employers require all new nurse hires to hold BSNs (AACN, 2019).

What state pays RN the most money?

The states that pay nurses the most are California, Hawaii, and Oregon, with California paying the most with an average of $133,340 wage per year.

What city needs nurses the most?

Best Places for Nursing Jobs

• New York (173,570)
• Los Angeles (109,790)
• Chicago (95,730)
• Philadelphia (70,530)
• Boston (62,260)
• Dallas (60,140)
• Houston (56,520)
• Miama (53,900)

Can an RN make $200,000?

While the median registered nurse salary sits at $93,600 per year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paid nurses are earning well over $200,000 annually, proving that nursing can be both personally fulfilling and financially rewarding. The nursing salary landscape has evolved dramatically.

Why are nurses quitting in 2025?

Burnout and Emotional Fatigue Remain Pervasive

According to the 2025 report: 79.9% of nurses say stress has increased due to staffing issues. 72.5% report heavier responsibilities but fewer resources. 69.4% cite reduced time with patients as result of short staffing.

What age are most RNs?

❖ The average age of an RN was 50 years old; however, most nurses (53%) were less than 50 years old.

What states have the worst nursing shortage?

The ten states with the largest projected nursing shortage in 2035 are Washington (26%), Georgia (21%), California (18%), Oregon (16%), Michigan (15%), Idaho (15%), Louisiana (13%), North Carolina (13%), New Jersey (12%), and South Carolina (11%).

How to make $200,000 as an NP?

Nurse anesthetists represent the highest-earning NPs, with median salaries exceeding $200,000 due to the specialized nature of anesthesia care. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners benefit from the growing demand for mental health services, often earning 15-20% above general practice NPs.

Why are nurses leaving bedside?

Work-life balance:

The irregular hours and demanding nature of bedside nursing can impact work-life balance. Nurses, like anyone else, may seek roles that offer more predictable schedules and a better balance between their professional and personal lives.

What state pays nurses the lowest?

Which 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.

Where do the happiest nurses live in the USA?

The 10 Best States to Work and Start a Family for Nurses

1. California. The plethora of family-friendly communities, theme parks, beaches, and year-round sunshine make California a great place for endless family fun. ...
2. Indiana. ...
3. Massachusetts. ...
4. Minnesota. ...
5. North Carolina. ...
6. Ohio. ...
7. Oregon. ...
8. Texas.

How to make an extra $1000 a month as a nurse?

Telehealth or Triage Nurse

You can find these roles on job boards like Indeed, FlexJobs, or directly on healthcare company websites. The pay ranges from $25 to $45 per hour depending on the company and your level of experience. Working just 10–15 hours a week can bring in an extra $1000 or more.

What is the easiest state to get your RN?

Top 10 Easiest States to Become a Licensed Nurse

• North Dakota. North Dakota is at the top of our list of states where you can get your RN license quickly. ...
• Arizona. You can get a temporary license on a walk-through basis from the Arizona Board of Nursing. ...
• Alabama. ...
• Hawaii. ...
• Louisiana. ...
• Nevada. ...
• Maryland. ...
• Kentucky.

Which state is the hardest to become a nurse?

Hardest States to Obtain an RN License

1. California.
2. New York.
3. Massachusetts.
4. Hawaii.
5. Nevada.

How can a RN make $100,000?

In short, the nurses most likely to make $100,000 or more per year are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), nurse leaders, and experienced travel nurses—especially those working in major metropolitan areas or high-demand specialties.

What is the best state to live in as a nurse?

The Top 10 States for Nurses

1. 1. California. #2 in Career Opportunity. #1 in Safety. ...
2. Colorado. #7 in Career Opportunity. ...
3. Massachusetts. #11 in Career Opportunity. ...
4. Oregon. #5 in Career Opportunity. ...
5. Ohio. #35 in Career Opportunity. ...
6. New York. #10 in Career Opportunity. ...
7. Texas. #17 in Career Opportunity. ...
8. Vermont. #36 in Career Opportunity.

What are the 5 levels of nurses?

What Are the Different Levels of Nursing?

• Certified Nursing Assistant. ...
• Licensed Practical Nurse. ...
• Registered Nurse. ...
• Advanced Practice Registered Nurse. ...
• Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) ...
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

What can a BSN do that a RN cannot?

Although all nurses start at entry-level bedside positions, BSN nurses have more advancement opportunities. BSN-RNs may enter leadership, managerial, or advanced roles with higher salaries. Additionally, some hospitals value the expansive BSN education and pay more for it in entry-level positions.

Is a BA or BS more respected?

If you are wondering whether a BA or BS is the better degree or whether one is more prestigious in general, the answer is “no.” Both are baccalaureate degrees conferred upon those who successfully complete their undergraduate course of study; neither is more distinguished or advanced than the other.