States That Offer the Best Opportunities in Travel Nursing
Are you seeking competitive pay, lower cost of living, excellent quality of life and thriving medical communities? These five states have got them all.
Are you trying to figure out where to take your next - or your first! - travel nursing adventure? If you’re flexible on
location and are looking for input, we’ve got some information for you!
WalletHub, a financial website, conducts an annual evaluation
of the best states for nursing using 18 criteria to generate a total score. These criteria include average starting nurse salary, average annual nursing salary, average nurse to patient ratio, and mandatory overtime restrictions, among others.
While Wallet Hub's research is focused on permanent staff nurses, we all know that many of these quality-of-work factors apply to travelers as well. And the list of top spots is changing all the time. Be sure to ask your Recruiter about today's trending locales.
Here are a few of the winners...
Top States for Today's Nursing Careers
- Washington - This state ranked well due to its extensive opportunities for nurses. With generally high pay and other factors, travel nurse jobs in Washington offer career-building opportunities.
- Maine - secured the the top position on WalletHub’s list, in large part because of its high demand for nurses and it's aging population (increasing service demand). Maine travel nurse jobs offer nurses the opportunity to explore the great outdoors. You might even be able to take a trip into Canada!
- New Hampshire - Travel jobs in New Hampshire offer a range of enticements: from mountain terrain and tranquil lakes, to city sophistication. Whether you’re into skiing or shopping (no sales tax!), NH has plenty of diversions.
- Montana - Montana is a gateway to outdoor adventure. Skiing, horseback riding and Big Sky camping are all on the menu here. Enjoy a lower cost of living here, helping your travel pay go even further.
- New Mexico- New Mexico scored high for its aging baby boomer population, increasing the need for nurses. While on a travel nurse job in New Mexico, nurses can take advantage of close proximity to numerous national parks, forests, and wilderness areas.
Are traveling nurses in demand in these states?
You bet. Consider working in locations that have seasonal changes in population, like Colorado in the winter, or
Wisconsin in the summer. Texas’ medical and research community is so large that the state is always in need of skilled
RNs.
“One of the many perks of travel nursing is that you have the flexibility to follow nursing trends. You aren’t committed to one state or one hospital; instead, you can follow the money, the opportunities for career advancement, or the experiences that mean the most to you.” - Mary Kay Hull, Vice President of Recruitment
Whether you chose to pursue a travel nurse position in one of these states or elsewhere,
your recruiter will help guide you to your dream job. With thousands of positions across all 50 states and
Washington D.C., we have something for everyone.
Taking A Tiny Home Around the U.S.
Highest Paying States for RNs
Motivated Traveler Lives a Lifelong Dream
Last Modified On: May 09, 2018
The next stop on your traveler journey awaits.
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