Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system and if we’re being honest, they tirelessly devote themselves to ensuring our well-being even without knowing us! 

Despite the demands of their profession, nurses find fulfillment and financial stability in their careers. With a mean annual wage surpassing $94,000 and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S., nursing emerges as one of the most rewarding careers.

WalletHub recently did some research and examined the nursing industry. Focusing on 20 key metrics, including job availability, salaries, overtime regulations, and nursing home quality. This research was done for nurses across all 50 states.

Courtesy: Wallethub.com
Courtesy: Wallethub.com
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The research determined the overall score for each state and some of these numbers and rankings might surprise you!

Although Texas didn’t make the top 10 list, it still made the top 20 list coming in at number 15 for the best place to work as a nurse.

Now, a state that did make the top 5 list includes our neighboring state, New Mexico.

Yup, New Mexico is the 5th best place to work as a nurse with an overall score of 58.0!

Take a look at the full list here:

Overall Rank StateTotal Score Opportunity & Competition Rank Work Environment Rank
1Washington66.8451
2Maine60.7796
3New Hampshire59.53165
4Montana59.11230
5New Mexico58.80144
6Oregon58.00159
7Minnesota57.19287
8Wyoming57.18333
9Connecticut56.85354
10Arizona56.77629
11Alaska55.83403
12Florida55.03440
13West Virginia54.582016
14New York54.572314
15Texas54.302117
16Missouri54.251125
17Massachusetts53.78472
18Rhode Island53.543610
19Nevada52.831031
20Idaho52.821727
21California52.712623
22Iowa52.581928
23Illinois52.502721
24Wisconsin52.213119
25Pennsylvania51.983022
26Kansas51.623220
27North Carolina51.53841
28North Dakota51.534111
29Georgia51.37743
30Utah51.35448
31Indiana50.951236
32Kentucky50.781337
33South Dakota50.474212
34Ohio50.351835
35Virginia49.172238
36Colorado48.843924
37Michigan48.461446
38New Jersey48.444318
39Maryland48.444813
40Vermont47.284915
41Nebraska46.833832
42Louisiana46.742545
43South Carolina46.692447
44Delaware45.894526
45Tennessee45.493739
46Mississippi44.942950
47Oklahoma44.443348
48Alabama43.963449
49Arkansas42.204642
50Hawaii41.375034

These Metros in Texas Are the Best for Nurses

Vivian Health found the metros in Texas that pay nurses the highest wages, using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

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