These States Desperately Need Nurses


The nursing industry has been experiencing a shortage for quite some time due to the aging population, the aging workforce, nurse burnout, and more. Now, in the wake of COVID-19 adding even greater strain to some of healthcare’s most vital workers, a recent nationwide survey has found that three out five nurses are likely to leave their job or specialty as a result of their experience with the pandemic. Coupled with the existing shortage, that many nurses leaving their positions could be crippling for the healthcare industry as a whole.

The United States needs nurses, and will continue to need nurses, maybe more than ever before.

For those who are eager to join the profession, or stay and thrive in it, the opportunities will be unmatched. The American Nurses Association projects that more registered nurse jobs will be available through 2022 than any other profession in the United States, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the field of nursing to grow at a faster rate (15%) than all other occupations through 2026.

Where are nurses currently needed the most? Here are the top five states seeking RNs, NPs, LPNs, and CNAs, as well as which specialties are most in-demand in each location, according to data from our jobs site.

Registered Nurses

1. Texas

Most In-demand Specialties: Operating Room, Telemetry, Intensive Care Unit

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2. California

Most In-demand Specialties: Intensive Care Unit, Operating Room, Home Health

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3. Florida

Most In-demand Specialties: Home Health, Telemetry, Intensive Care Unit

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4. Pennsylvania

Most In-demand Specialties: Home Health, Hospice, Operating Room

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5. New York

Most In-demand Specialties: Operating Room, Hospice, Intensive Care Unit

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Nurse Practitioners

1. California

Most In-demand Specialties: Urgent Care, Surgery, Mental Health

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2. New York

Most In-demand Specialties: Urgent Care, Family Practice, Hospitalist

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3. Pennsylvania

Most In-demand Specialties: Psychiatry, Urgent Care, Critical Care

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4. Texas

Most In-demand Specialties: Hospitalist, Palliative Care, Mental Health

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5. Massachusetts

Most In-demand Specialties: Mental Health, Psychiatry, Hospitalist

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Licensed Practical Nurses

1. Pennsylvania

Most In-demand Specialties: Pediatrics, Home Health, Behavioral Health

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2. Florida

Most In-demand Specialties: Home Health, Hospice, Pediatrics

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3. Ohio

Most In-demand Specialties: Home Health, Hospice, School Health

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4. New York

Most In-demand Specialties: Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, Home Health

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5. Tennessee

Most In-demand Specialties: Home Health, Rehabilitation, Pediatrics

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Certified Nursing Assistants

1. Florida

Most In-demand Specialties: Hospice, Telemetry, Home Health

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2. Pennsylvania

Most In-demand Specialties: Hospice, Pediatrics, Home Health

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3. North Carolina

Most In-demand Specialties: Hospice, Home Health, Pediatrics

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4. California

Most In-demand Specialties: Telemetry, Hospice, Home Health

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5. Texas

Most In-demand Specialties: Hospice, Home Health, Pediatrics

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Disclaimer: The viewpoint expressed in this article is the opinion of the author and is not necessarily the viewpoint of the owners or employees at Healthcare Staffing Innovations, LLC.