Pros and cons to nursing in the state where you live

Editorial Team / Admin · Mar 28, 2017

I would think that the employer is going to influence the pros and cons much more than the state will. However, you will find that a lot of people aren't willing to reveal that kind of information because of the amount of anonymity that can be had here.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2017

I am in a large, rapidly growing city in North Central Texas (population 850,000).

The benefits of working as a nurse here include the low cost of living, competitive pay, and proliferation of new hospitals and healthcare facilities sprouting up to meet the burgeoning population.

The drawbacks of working here include the lack of nurse/patient ratios. In fact, California is the only state that has legally mandated nurse/patient ratios, and even their ratio law is limited to acute care hospitals.

Bduncan008 · Mar 29, 2017

Thanks for the feedback! :)

Isakolistic · Mar 29, 2017

I won't divulge the exact state I live in, but I will say that it is in the northern Midwest. I can speak for many Midwestern states, when I say there are definitely pros to living around these parts!

Pros:

Low cost of living

Rural, small hospitals = easily cross-train to other departments, lots of opportunities

Less competitive = may be easier to get hospital/other desired jobs/specialties

Strong nursing community

Cons:

Living "in the middle of nowhere" (I don't mind)

Comparatively lower pay to other states (offset by low cost of living, IMO)

May find smaller facilities to be short-staffed (could be a problem anywhere, though)

I grew up here, and I wouldn't even think about moving elsewhere!

Penelope_Pitstop, BSN, RN · Mar 29, 2017

I think once you decide what sort of job you want, this will be easier to answer. Not all nurses want to be in a hospital environment, and not all hospitals provide the same services. Also, what *you* want out of a geographical location (job market nonwithstanding) is also a very important consideration).