Five Nursing Compact States to Consider for Your Next Assignment
By Lee Soren, contributor
In recent years, the Nursing Licensure Compact has streamlined interstate moves for travel nurses by letting RNs practice in multiple states with a single multistate license. There are currently more than 30 nursing compact states, with several more pending legislation. If you're a travel nurse with a multistate NLC license or planning to apply for one, here are five states worth considering as you search for your next assignment.
1. Arizona
With some of the highest nursing salaries in the country according to Becker's Hospital Review, Arizona is a state worth considering for your next travel nurse job. RNs accepting assignments in metropolitan areas such as Phoenix can expect to make up to $2,077 per week depending on their specialty.
Arizona also offers travel nurses plenty of opportunities for leisure-time excitement and adventure. The state is home to the Grand Canyon, Sedona's legendary red-rock cliffs and the iconic Route 66, which takes drivers past a variety of roadside attractions. Travel nurses on assignment in Arizona can also learn more about Native American culture by visiting the state's many cultural centers, museums and ruins.
2. Florida
Because of its tropical climate and plentiful sandy ocean beaches, Florida is a great state for RNs looking for a travel nurse assignment in a vacation-like setting. Whether you choose an assignment on the Atlantic or Gulf Coast, there's plenty to do in Florida, and travel nurses can take advantage of top tourist destinations such as Key West, Everglades National Park and Disney World.
The Sunshine State is a mecca for retirees, and the Census Bureau estimates that more than 20% of Florida's population is comprised of individuals aged 65 and over. Florida also has a population base that shifts dramatically throughout the year with an influx of part-time winter residents, widely known as snowbirds. That seasonal shift can mean a high demand for travel nurses and plenty of choice assignments, making Florida a destination worth considering for your next assignment.
3. Texas
According to Becker's Hospital Review, another state facing a severe nursing shortage is Texas. With an aging population and an increasing demand for RNs, there are plenty of opportunities for travel nurses in Texas, especially those specializing in geriatrics and other senior-related fields. This need can lead to your choice of prime assignments throughout the state.
Another benefit of accepting an assignment in Texas is that living there won't break the bank. The average cost of living in the Lone Star State is more than 6% lower than the national average. For travel nurses looking to save money, that alone makes it a state worth considering.
4. Maryland
If you're a travel nurse who is looking to advance your career or add to your skill set, you may want to consider taking an assignment in Maryland. According to Newsweek, the state boasts one of the top 10 hospitals in the world. Ranking number four on the list, Baltimore-based Johns Hopkins Hospital handles nearly 3 million patients every year and is engaged in some of the most advanced medical research across the globe. For travel nurses netting an assignment here, it could mean unparalleled opportunities for learning and professional growth.
Maryland travel nurses can expect salaries on the higher end of the spectrum, with pay ranging up to $2,234 per week depending on their specialty. On their days off, nurses on assignment in Maryland may also appreciate opportunities for boating in Chesapeake Bay and the many cultural, educational and recreational opportunities available in nearby Washington DC.
5. Utah
This often-overlooked travel destination is another state that offers higher-than-average nursing salaries, and full-time RNs can make over $100,000 each year, according to Becker's Hospital Review.
Nurses who are seeking unique outdoor experiences may appreciate Utah's dramatic landscape, which includes gorges, caves and spectacular natural bridges. The state is also home to five national parks, some of the best ski resorts in the country and Dinosaur National Monument, where visitors can see an abundance of fossils and dinosaur bones.
If you are a travel nurse with a multistate nursing license or are considering applying for one, check out TravelNursing.com's available job opportunities in participating nursing compact states to find your next assignment.
Sources:
https://www.ncsbn.org/nlcmemberstates.pdf
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/compensation-issues/the-highest-paying-states-for-nurses.html
https://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm
https://www.sedona.net/
https://www.roadtripusa.com/route-66/arizona/
https://keywest.com/
https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/
https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/FL
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/texas-to-face-increasing-nursing-shortage.html
https://www.bestplaces.net/state/texas
https://www.newsweek.com/2019/04/05/10-best-hospitals-world-1368512.html
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/the_johns_hopkins_hospital/
https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/
https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/parks-outdoors/dinosaur-national-monument/