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| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,176 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 1,153 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 1,151 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 1,139 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 1,122 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $104,505 | $50.24 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $101,689 | $48.89 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $99,510 | $47.84 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $97,110 | $46.69 | +2.3% |
| 2021 | $94,960 | $45.65 | +1.4% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 271 | 20% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 186 | 18% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,107 | 16% |
| 4 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 133 | 15% |
| 5 | Vermont | 623,657 | 72 | 12% |
| 6 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 227 | 11% |
| 7 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 77 | 11% |
| 8 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 132 | 10% |
| 9 | Alaska | 739,795 | 74 | 10% |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,186 | 9% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 682 | 9% |
| 12 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 320 | 9% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 53 | 9% |
| 14 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,025 | 8% |
| 15 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 785 | 8% |
| 16 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 494 | 8% |
| 17 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 153 | 8% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 89 | 8% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 57 | 8% |
| 20 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,304 | 7% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pueblo | 1 | 1% | $91,702 |
| 2 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $126,207 |
Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
Molloy College
Shepherd University
University of Maine
University of Southern Maine
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Northwestern State University of Louisiana
University of Detroit Mercy

Missouri State University
New York University

Western Carolina University

The University of Texas at El Paso
University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana
Quinnipiac University
Dr. Cynthia Aurentz DNP, MSN, RN, CNE: Nursing is a dynamic field and there are many options. You can work in an Emergency Room, pediatrics, oncology, or even as a vascular access specialist (and many others). One of the great things about Nursing is that if you find you don't like a particular specialty, making a change is easy. Having your RN license qualifies you to work anywhere that an RN license is required so it may simply be a matter of transferring to a different area. Nurses are lifelong learners and there is much to learn! It is beneficial to have a solid foundation in basic medical-surgical concepts. Nursing needs great med-surg nurses and employers are looking for those who are willing to provide excellent direct patient care at the bedside. I also recommend that you learn about Nurse advocacy and become involved. As soon as you graduate, join your State and National Nurse Associations so that you have a voice in the issues that impact Nursing.
Pennsylvania State University - Harrisburg
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Dr. Robert Doerfler PhD, CRNP: The earliest approach for the individual new grad is to consider several offers; don't agree to the first job offer—no matter how flattering and rosy it seems. You may end up agreeing to it in a short time, but give yourself a chance to consider other offers as well. Think about secondary gains. One offer may be a little less than another, but money isn't everything. Secondary benefits may include employer reimbursement or payment for continuing education (required by many states for re-licensure), cross-training in or certification for a clinical specialty that pays better (and thus a job you can bid on later), a promotion scheme that supplies specific benchmarks to the new grad to aim for to hit higher salary targets, and benefits plans that cover more out of pocket costs for health care, dental and vision insurance, 401k, and similar non-salary compensation. You may make more money at one job, but end up paying out of pocket for high deductibles or non-covered care, than you might at a job that has a much better benefits package, even if the pay is a little less.
Molloy College
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Normadeane Armstrong PhD, RN, ANP-BC: Specialize, Further Education, Negotiate, Explore Alternative Settings, Stay Updated.
Shepherd University
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Lisa Zerull PhD, RN-BC: Excellent clinical judgment, Flexibility and resiliency, Positive attitudes, Positive change agents—don't be part of the problem—be part of the team to effect positive change
Jordan Porter DNP, APRN, FNP-BC: Looking ahead in the field of nursing, one significant trend I foresee is the ever-increasing integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare. Nurses have long been recognized as among the most trusted and ethical professionals nationwide, with our code of ethics considered one of the most rigorous globally. This ethical foundation positions us uniquely to lead in the ethical application of generative AI in healthcare. We shouldn't view AI as a replacement for nursing intelligence but as a tool to augment it. It’s crucial that we maintain a human-centered approach in deploying AI technologies, ensuring they don’t perpetuate health inequities but rather promote health equity. We need to have a seat at the table to ensure that these technologies are used ethically and responsibly. This means being involved in creating AI systems that are not only effective but also accountable and aligned with our commitment to caring and fairness. So, in the next three to five years, I believe developing expertise in AI and ethics will be essential for nurses. We'll need to be vigilant and proactive in shaping how these technologies are implemented to truly support and enhance patient care without compromising our ethical standards.
University of Southern Maine
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Dr. Debra Gillespie PhD, RN, CNE: Salary depends upon experience and location. As a new grade you may have the opportunity to ask if there is a set salary or a range. Location is also important as many rural organizations do not have the resources as larger facilities have. Working in large urban areas organizations try to stay competitive with other organizations including salaries.
Dr. Cindy Krentz DNP, RN, ACUE: Entering the nursing profession at present offers numerous advantages. Firstly, there's a widespread shortage of nurses nationwide, making nursing a highly sought-after career. With the aging population and retiring nurses, there's a pressing need for new nurses to fill these vacancies. Additionally, nursing offers diverse career paths, allowing individuals to transition between different specialties if desired. Moreover, the field boasts high earning potential, job stability, and flexibility in scheduling.
Dr. Cindy Krentz DNP, RN, ACUE: Nursing encompasses a wide range of specialties, from forensic and flight nursing to hospice care, hospital nursing, research, and public health nursing, among others. Regardless of the specific role, the fundamental task common to all nurses is assessment. This involves evaluating patients' physical, mental, and overall well-being. Physically, nurses conduct examinations, monitor vital signs, assess pain levels, and consider the broader context to provide comprehensive reports to healthcare providers. Given that nurses are present round-the-clock in hospitals, they play a crucial role in relaying their assessments to providers, who typically visit once or twice a day.
Becky Farmer MSRS, RT (R)(M): Best advice for new graduates is to never stop learning, gain all the certifications you can and keep a positive attitude. Remember networking is key to a successful career!
Wendy Bowles PhD, APRN-CNP, CNE: To maximize your salary potential you should consider going back to school and pursuing your doctorate degree from a high quality, reputable institution. There are many programs that offer BSN to doctorate pathways and that will enhance earnings potential.
University of Detroit Mercy
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research And Clinical Nursing
Dr. Ashlee Barnes DNP, APRN, FNP-C: Nursing remains an excellent career path, characterized by its evolving landscape and opportunities, continual growth, and soaring demand in a variety of settings. Nursing guarantees job stability, possibility for both personal and professional advancement, and the satisfaction of positively impacting people's lives.

Missouri State University
School of Nursing
Dr. Monika Feeney: Advanced practice skills/certifications generally increase your income potential.
New York University
Rory Meyers College of Nursing
Natalya Pasklinsky: Advocacy and leadership skills needed to advance health equity, Skills in collaboration, systems thinking and community building for advancing care excellence and reform, skills in creating healthy work environments, and innovation skills for reimagining new structures and access for improving health for populations and communities.
Natalya Pasklinsky: Critical thinking, prioritization, carefully assessing any situation at the appropriate time, not normalizing the abnormal, and escalating necessary crucial information to the team at that right moment in time will save lives. Great nurses notice, and when in doubt, will take the right actions to get the right type of intervention for their patients and their families with patient advocacy at the forefront.

Western Carolina University
College of Health and Human Sciences
Terrica Durbin Ph.D.: Communication, critical thinking, patient assessment, problem-solving, clinical skills specific to the nurse's setting, electronic recordkeeping, flexibility.
Terrica Durbin Ph.D.: Communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, flexibility.
Terrica Durbin Ph.D.: Clinical skills specific to the nurse's setting, electronic recordkeeping, patient assessment, and prioritizing appropriate interventions.

Leslie Robbins Ph.D.: A growing baby boomer population, improved access to health care, and a rapidly retiring nursing workforce have led to nursing shortages across the nation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the need for more than 1 million nurses by 2022. This substantial demand for nurses has created more significant employment opportunities for recent graduates, especially in the Western and Southern United States.
University of Arkansas Community College at Hope-Texarkana
Health Care Administration
Lori Arnette: There is no doubt the coronavirus pandemic will impact today's graduate nurses. They were affected as students, and the effects will carry over into their careers, as they continue to face the unknown. They will be practicing their profession in ways not seen by previous generations of nurses. Nursing has been, and will always be, ever-evolving. While the coronavirus has presented some new challenges, nurses will continue to do what they do best; adapt and care for patients, no matter the situation. Nurses are resilient, robust, progressive, and great changemakers.
Lisa Rebeschi Ph.D.: One of the suggestions for new graduates is the importance of self-care. We have long known of the demanding nature of the nursing practice. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the nursing role's critical importance and the unique contributions made by nursing professionals. As the healthcare environment is extremely complex and challenging, nurses must remember to advocate for themselves and prioritize self-care.