What are the best states to practice as RN?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Aug 9, 2007

what do you mean by "best"? Duties are similar in all states.

To answer, someone would have had to work in many states. That limits your responses.

TazziRN, RN · Aug 9, 2007

Dame is right, it's hard to answer that question. My opinion is that CA is the best because of the nurse-patient ratio.

x_coastie · Aug 9, 2007

I have read (probably on this site) that Texas is the best financially, when pay vs. cost of living is taken into account. California pays better but the cost of living is higher. There are so many factors in being "best" it is hard to say, and most answers are going to be subjective, although you posed a very interesting question.

StrwbryblndRN · Aug 9, 2007

Even in different hospitals even one area are run differently. I chose the hospital that I work in because it was 2 blocks from my house and I like how the med-surg floor is run. Granted if managers change than my opinion could change.

The only thing that really makes a difference from state to state is the money. And if I remembered correctly the best ratio for pay:cost of living is TX, MI, IL.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2007

California is the only state that has legally-mandated nurse/patient ratios regarding employment in acute care hospitals. Therefore, California is one state to consider.

The upper Midwestern states (Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, and so on) tend to be union-friendly, and offer good pay rates when other factors are taken into consideration.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2007

I have included a link which indicates that California is the best-paying state before cost-of-living adjustments are made, and that Texas is the best-paying state after the cost-of-living adjustments have been made. If pay rates are important to you, then be sure to check out the link below. Good luck with your search for information.

http://www.ga.unc.edu/NCCN/research/quickfacts/Salary%20Adjustment%20Table.htm

Sassybottom · Aug 9, 2007

Honestly, I think it depends on the hospital and it depends on the unit.

I live in Minnesota.

The hospital (twin cities) and unit I work on is pretty cush - there are so many supports for the nurses. I don't feel as exhausted - mentally and physically drained - as I did when I was a nursing student.

As a student (I went to school in a different country) I only rotated through level 1 trauma centers where patient nurse ratios were high, there was no such thing as agency nursing (nurses just took on a larger patient assignment), no such thing as IV team, and I think nurses had to do their own lab draws too. There would be like 2 nursing assistants for the entire floor - on days!!! All my friends who were hired on with these hospitals tell me how they would come home crying, stay an extra hour after work just to chart (and not get paid!). I have two young (mid-20s) friends who have already developed sciatica.

I have a friend who works at another hospital in the twin cities - level 1 trauma center and she works on the trauma surgery floor (really acute patients) and there are no HUCs, no nursing assistants, they do their own lab draws, and very rarely do they call the IV team for IV starts - this unit also has a lot of nurses with less than 5 years of experience because the turnover rate is so high. My friend has been charge nurse and she only has 2 years experience! And, their patient ratio is pretty high for patients in such an acute state.

It really depends on the hospital and the unit ...

thida · Aug 10, 2007

california is the only state that has legally-mandated nurse/patient ratios regarding employment in acute care hospitals. therefore, california is one state to consider.
the upper midwestern states (wisconsin, minnesota, michigan, and so on) tend to be union-friendly, and offer good pay rates when other factors are taken into consideration.

what are the nurse/patient ratios in california? :idea:

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 10, 2007

what are the nurse/patient ratios in california?

1 nurse to 5 patients on a med-surg floor is the ratio.

hospitals in california get around this law by way of 'team nursing.' if the rn is assigned a team that includes 1 lvn and 1 cna, then the rn can be assigned 10 patients. 'team nursing' works out well if the lvn and cna are helpful and cover their ends adequately. however, if they are lazy, the rn will spend a whole lot of time completing their duties plus his/her own tasks.