New study says WA among the best states for nurses. See the results, reasons for ranking

College graduation season is back, bringing an influx of fresh faces to the job market.

Some of the most popular majors lately include business, psychology and nursing. The workforce should gain a lot of nurses through the next few years, at least.

This matches a growing need for healthcare workers. In fact, when examining which majors would be most fruitful in the coming years, nursing is a top contender, expecting 6% growth in the U.S. through 2032.

Right on time for National Nurses Week, personal finance site WalletHub examined conditions for nurses in each state in order to rank which states are best for nurses.

“Despite the difficulties of the occupation, nurses are generally well-rewarded for their life-saving work,” the WalletHub study states. “Nursing is one of the most lucrative careers, with a mean annual wage of more than $94,000 and one of the lowest unemployment rates in the U.S.”

So, how did Washington state measure up in this ranking?

Best states for nurses

Washington took home the gold for nursing conditions, ranking as the number one best state for nurses. Based on a scoring system of 100 points, the top 10 states are:

1. Washington - 66.84

2. Maine - 60.77

3. New Hampshire - 59.53

4. Montana - 59.11

5. New Mexico - 58.80

6. Oregon - 58

7. Minnesota - 57.19

8. Wyoming - 57.18

9. Connecticut - 56.85

10. Arizona - 56.77

Comparatively, the worst five states were:

• Mississippi - 44.94

• Oklahoma - 44.44

• Alabama - 43.96

• Arkansas - 42.40

• Hawai’i - 41.37

Determining the best states for nurses

To determine the ranking, WalletHub analyzed each state on 20 metrics in two main categories, Work Environment and Opportunity and Competition. Each had specific weight, together totaling 100 points.

Washington came out at number one for the Work Environment category, with the best points for the category. Its metrics include:

• Mandatory Overtime Restrictions

• Ratio of nurses to hospital beds

• Nurses job growth since 2018

• Presence of Nursing Licensure Compact Law

• Regulatory requirements for nurse practitioners

• Share of best nursing homes

• Quality of public hospital system

• Friendliness toward working moms

• Average number of work hours

• Average commute time

The state ranked fifth for Opportunity and Competition, which includes:

• Monthly average starting salary for nurses (adjusted for cost of living)

• Average annual salary for nurses (adjusted for cost of living)

• Healthcare facilities per capita

• Population living in a primary-care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA)

• Projected share of elderly population in 2030

• Quality of nursing schools

• Tuition of cost per credit for BSN online program

• Nursing job openings per capita

• Projected competition in 2030

What makes WA best for nurses?

Washington had the third best monthly average starting salary for nurses, adjusted for cost of living and sixth for projected competition by 2030. The Evergreen State had the seventh best nurses per capita and ninth best average annual salary for nurses, adjusted for cost of living.

Washington also has one of the highest job growth rates, and some of the highest ranked nursing schools in the U.S.

“Nurses also enjoy good working conditions,” states the WalletHub study. “They can avoid burnout because the state restricts mandatory overtime, and nurses who work in nursing homes benefit from the fact that the state has a very high percentage of nursing homes rated five stars.”

On top of these conditions, nurses are also needed here. According to WalletHub, about 46% of state residents live in a primary care HPSA, meaning nearly half of the state’s population experiences a shortage of healthcare professionals.