list- best states for pay?

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Awhile ago there was a list revolving on these boards that ranked all fifty states according to best pay rate per hour for RN's, taking into account cost of living. If I remember correctly, texas was number one but I can't seem to find the post anymore (darn, I knew I should have hit kudos! lol).

Does anyone have that list/know where to find it?

Specializes in Med/Surg/Onc, LTAC.

Thanks for posting the answer Samantha... beware of Hawaii though (although I only have one nurses' story on working there because her husband moved there for work) she stated as being a 'white american' (actually she's puerto rican lol) working on the big Island, she was treated terribly by the natives. Obviously this is just her story, and it's not necessarily the general population as a whole, but the nurse I work with stated there isn't a lot of love for the main-landers, but who knows.

Also... shame on those with the mean comments just because you are having a bad day. I'm embarrassed for nurses all around who eat their young, or treat others badly because they aren't having a good day. This is supposed to be a SUPPORTIVE website and we should try to be HELPFUL and not make people feel bad for asking questions.

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Specializes in NICU Transport/NICU.

Well, I'm definitely not moving to Puerto Rico. I guess I hate nursing.....

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Onc, LTAC.

When considering wages, also take in mind the cost of living. Living in Massachusetts, it's one of the highest wages in the country for nurses... BUT rent is typically $1500/month, and everything is generally more expensive. It's not called Taxachusetts for nothin! :)

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.
You know, I happened to read this post on a bad day for me...so i'm just going to put this bluntly.

If you're going into nursing for the money and to quickly zoom to the state that will pay you the most for the least amount of work, then please do us all a favor and just become a lawyer or politician or something BESIDES a nurse.

I've worked with enough nurses that were just there for the paycheck and not b/c they cared at all. Long story short, they were CRAPPY nurses. Don't join those ranks. Either be a nurse for the right reason or simply stay out of the field.

Seems a little harsh. Probably should have stopped yourself as soon as you typed "I'm writing this on a bad day".

So you want OP to go into nursing for "the right reasons"? What are they? Do you have a link? Who sets the standard and enforces it? What is their origin? Maybe you could make a thread listing all the acceptable reasons to enter into nursing and have it pasted so there is no confusion.

Wanting to find the best economic area for your chosen area of study/career is no crime by any means. Kudos to OP for being willing to flip flop their life around and pick up to move to brighter horizons. If more people did this, I'd be willing to bet the powers that be would take notice and make a little effort to adjust things in their own houses so they can retain the workers they wish to. Instead, they know most squat on their current positions, accepting whatever abuse is mandated and won't leave out of fear of the unknown and/or inability to change their scenery.

Why is it whenever money comes up, the assumption is the person is wicked, will abuse pt's, be horrible to co-workers and "is in it for all the wrong reasons"? Funny, when I read the thread, I thought to myself "Here is someone willing to move, probably anywhere, to be a nurse. How many people would be in nursing today if they had been told before starting school that they would have to move to the other side of the country to find work yet this person is willing." My assumption, yes, I made one too, was that the OP lives somewhere where work is not available and is anticipating moving.

Nothing wrong with realizing you will probably have to move to find work and wanting to be 100% sure you can make it work. Better than going from the frying pan to the fire.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/Onc, LTAC.

Thank you Eriksoln! People seem to be just chomping at the bit to be mean and bring others down and accusing them on their motives for being a nurse just because they ask about money. It's one of the BIG problems with nursing today.

I will also say that two of the worst, most neglectful and lazy nurses I've ever worked with constantly claim they love being nurses because of their love for helping people, and it's not about the money. Granted, I love helping people, AND I love the money (although I think nurses do NOT make enough period.)... and I work my @ss off trying to take care of my pt's.

It's definitely ok to shop around for the highest wages for doing a job you'll work hard at.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
You know, I happened to read this post on a bad day for me...so i'm just going to put this bluntly.

If you're going into nursing for the money and to quickly zoom to the state that will pay you the most for the least amount of work, then please do us all a favor and just become a lawyer or politician or something BESIDES a nurse.

I've worked with enough nurses that were just there for the paycheck and not b/c they cared at all. Long story short, they were CRAPPY nurses. Don't join those ranks. Either be a nurse for the right reason or simply stay out of the field.

Maybe some people should look within to see what struck a nerve about this post. Personally I don't find it insensitive. :confused: I would also rather not work with anyone in any field that just does it only for the money. Nursing is too stressful imo to not love your work but I definitely job shopped for the best money. I'm a overtime ho, I work every holiday because of the pay and love agency work on the side for the high hourly rate. I'm not offended by nurse_mo1986's post because I don't do it just for the money. I strive to be a great nurse but have no intention of doing it for less than I have to. Enough piling on already. :)

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Specializes in ER.

I just joined this website because I'm having a crappy day and with 10years of emergency/critical care nursing under my belt...i'm just DONE. My husband and I recently moved too and I took a HUGE pay cut. I think looking for the cash is smart and necessary. Nurses work damn hard and deserve to be compensated, and compensated well, for providing care.

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Personally I am hoping to make enough as a nurse to be able to afford to get massages, eat well, and in in general, live well enough that I don't get too stressed out. This in hopes that, if I am having a crappy day, I won't take it out on my patients.

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Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Critical Care.

I did nursing because I love it, but I believe that many nurses take on this certain "pedestal" attitude. Not placing themselves on the pedestal, but placing the patients on the pedestal to the point that they take away from their own lives. We work so much harder than the majority of the population, we give up so much, and we should be compensated accordingly. I'm glad to see others wanting more money, better benefits, and just not accepting low wages and horrible attitudes. If we don't change or maintain the attitude we are worth it, no one will certainly give it to us.

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Wow.

To the people who answered or attempted to answer my question, thanks. I appreciate the exchange of information, which is one of the major reasons I am on this site.

To the people who went on a rant about me wanting to be a nurse only for the money:

If you go back into my history of posts, this is probably the first time I have mentioned money. Excuse me for not writing a detailed message explaining why I want to be a nurse, and simply for getting to the point and asking for some specific information. Well, here is the long version:

I want to be a nurse for several reasons. I want to have a sense of purpose. I have had one as a caregiver, but it constantly frustrated me to not understand the physiology behind the issues the people I was caring for had. I wanted to do more, help them more, and I got to a point where I needed more education to help me do so.

And yes, I want a paycheck that will help me pay rent. Sue me. If every nurse was in nursing for altruistic reasons ONLY then they should be volunteering. Money IS a factor, and I am NOT ashamed to have money as a factor in my future career choice. It is NOT my only factor.

Everyone needs to calm down. I was asking for the sake of information and because the majority of my family will be moving soon and we are looking at places to move to. Since I want to become a nurse, I was looking at places that would pay me the best to do what I want to do.

Thank you again to those of you that tried to help me. I see that the majority did, which I sincerely appreciate.

The purpose of this website is for an exchange of information and a place for people with similar career goals to discuss issues from an insider's perspective. Let's all try and remember that.

Thanks.

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Well don't come to Utah, because the pay here stinks. We all have to support ourselves and our families, so of course it's good to consider the pay you will get. I had a friend that moved to Texas right after school. She walked right into an awesome hospital, with a fat sign on bonus and great pay! (brat! LOL). hmmm, maybe Texas wouldn't be so bad....I would be interested to see that list as well. Maybe if you find it you could post it!

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Not a single one of us works for free.

We all work for the money, we are Nurses for the love. I hope you all understand the difference.

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