Top 5 Nursing Compact States in the Midwest
The Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), was implemented on January 19, 2018. Under this structure, nurses are able to provide care to patients in other eNLC states without having to obtain additional licenses, something that's quite convenient for travel nurses, who often hop from state to state and work wherever they're needed.
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Finding Work in Nursing Compact States
If you are a nurse who lives in a state considered to be a nursing compact state, the multistate license option opens up a crop of job opportunities for travel nurses interested in making a difference in patients' lives all over the United States.
A move to the Midwest is a good choice for travel nurses, as many states within this neighboring region are nursing compact states. Check out our list below of the top 5 nursing compact states in the Midwest to help inform your decision.
1. Iowa
U.S. News and World Report recently ranked Iowa as the #1 state in the U.S. The magazine uses several criteria to evaluate each state across 77 metrics with thousands of data points spread among eight categories, including healthcare, education, economy, opportunity, infrastructure, crime and corrections, fiscal stability and quality of life.
Iowa ranks #3 in healthcare, up two spots from 2017, and it ranks second for healthcare affordability. Iowa also boasts a world-famous state fair, an average commute time of 18.8 minutes and a cost of living that's 5.3 percent below the national average, making it an attractive place to work.
Healthcare is a growing sector in Iowa, and the state spends more per capita on healthcare because of its generally older population.
2. Missouri
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are just over 72,000 RNs employed in Missouri, and they make an annual mean wage of $63,300. Missouri is also a compact state, so if you live in a nearby state or any of the eNLC states, you can practice nursing here without any additional fees or applications.
3. Kansas
Kansas became the 30th member of the eNLC on April 10, 2018. Job opportunities in this rural state are sure to be plentiful, as the Kansas Department of Health & Environment predicted an RN shortage of 5,900 positions by 2020. Rural hospitals and health centers are vital for residents living in this state, since many of these people live many miles from a major hospital.
4. Wisconsin
Besides cheese, football and cold winters, Wisconsin offers plenty of opportunities for nurses looking for a new job. It has a relatively low cost of living at approximately 6.5 percent less than the national average and plenty of quaint, picturesque towns. Wisconsin has more than 150 hospitals, including the top-ranked University of Wisconsin hospital in Madison.
5. Oklahoma
Similar to Kansas, Oklahoma is a mainly rural state and has many medically underserved areas. As a result, the demand for qualified RNs is high. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the average annual salary for an RN in Oklahoma is $57,130. The 26th state to enact the eNLC, Oklahoma is a great place to start or continue your nursing career.
Whichever nursing compact state you choose to practice in, whether in the Midwest or elsewhere, you'll find plenty of rewarding opportunities at hospitals or medical centers and encounter patients who require your specialized care and expertise.
Learn about the eNLC and how AMN Healthcare can help you with your licensing. Learn More
