Dive Brief:
- Washington ranks as the best state for nurses across a variety of parameters, according to recent research from WalletHub. Louisiana clocked in as the worst.
- The survey measured 15 items, including the number of job openings per capita, highest and lowest salaries and the highest projected percentage of the population ages 65 and older from various data sites (U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, etc).
- The results coincide with National Nurses Week, which runs from May 6 to 12.
Dive Insight:
WalletHub also queried various industry experts about the overall state of the nursing industry. Many agreed with reports that emphasize the increasing importance of Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Christine Kovner, a professor at New York University's College of Nursing, said governments and health systems have a responsibility to improve nurses' working environment, especially in the areas of workplace injuries and verbal abuse.
Washington replaced former leader Oregon, which slid to No. 15.
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