States with the Highest Demand for Nurses
Career News March 14, 2013There is an increase in the demand for qualified nurses in medical facilities throughout the country. Some areas are worse off than others. The BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) predicts that over the next few years, the job market will improve dramatically for those in nursing. Below are percentages that experts had reported:
•RN (registered nurse)- 26%
•LPN (licensed practical nurse) – 22%
•LVN (licensed vocational nurse) – 22%
•Nursing aides and orderlies – 20%
From 2010 to 2020, there will be a faster than average growth within the United States for these professions. Depending on the states, some will employ more nurses than others. If you want to work in the nursing field, then concentrate on the states with high nursing demands.
Registered Nurses
A registered nurse is expected to perform a wide range of duties on a daily basis. They are responsible for updating medical records, offering advice to patients about their condition, administer medicine to patients, develop patient care plans and manage a variety of cases. Advanced practice nurses also fall under the category of a registered nurse. These nurses have an area of specialization that calls for higher qualifications. The following list includes the states that employ the most nurses and have the highest number of positions available.
•Pennsylvania (130,740 Registered nurses in 2011)
•Florida (164,800)
•New York (176,180)
•Texas (184,890)
•California (250,230)
•West Virginia (26.11 Registered nurses employed per thousand jobs)
•Rhode Island (27.37)
•Massachusetts (27.57)
•Mississippi (27.62)
•South Dakota (28.32)
Advanced practice nurses and registered nurses are in high demands, in these ten states; so you will have a good chance in obtaining employment. The United States had around 2,737,400 registered nurses working in 2010. Between 2010 and 2020, there will be an increase of 711,900 registered nurse jobs, according to the BLS.
License Vocational and Licensed Practical Nurses
Licensed vocational and licensed practical nurses usually work under the direction of a doctor or RN. LVNs and LPNs work in clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, group homes, and private homes helping injured and sick patients. These nurses deal with people who are convalescing. LVNs and LPNs provide similar care, but depending on the states, the job title will vary. The leading ten states that have work available for LVN or LPN based on total jobs and highest concentration includes:
•Ohio (42,250 in 2011)
•Florida (42,710)
•New York (47,950)
•California (64,460)
•Texas (72,100)
•West Virginia (8.93 employment per thousand jobs)
•Oklahoma (9.90)
•Mississippi (9.90)
•Arkansas (10.69)
•Louisiana (12.04)
The number of people who worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse or Licensed Practical Nurse is 752,300 during 2010. Between 2010 and 2020, healthcare organizations will employ around 168,500 additional LVNs and LPNs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Attendants, Orderlies, and Nursing Aides
Nurse assistants play a significant role in the nursing field. Under the supervision of registered nurses and licensed practical nurses or licensed vocational nurses, nurse assistants perform general patient care duties. The duties could include assisting to move patients, changing linens, feeding, grooming, dressing them, and bathing patients. Nursing assistants can find work in these leading states:
•Ohio (75,180 total jobs in 2011)
•Florida (86,980)
•Texas (94,120)
•New York (101,650)
•California (107,950)
•Nebraska (16.24 employment per thousand jobs)
•Maine (16.50)
•Arkansas (16.75)
•North Dakota (17.70)
•Rhode Island (20.51)
In 2010, there were approximately 1.5 million people who were hired as nursing assistants. From 2010 to 2020, there is going to be another 302,000 people who will be employed as nursing assistants, according to the BLS.
If you are interested in finding out what states has the highest demand for nurses, it will depend on the type of nursing profession you want to pursue. However, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, Texas, New York, and California are currently the biggest employers of nurses by state. A majority of these positions are spread out across a large area. States with a large focus on nursing profession will have more job openings within the same area. West Virginia, Arkansas, Rhode Island, and South Dakota are states with a high nursing demand compared to other jobs.
