Idaho ranked best state to be a nurse

A relatively low cost of living and higher-than-average salaries make Idaho and Michigan the best states to be a nurse, according to a new report released by Drexel University.

Nurses in the Gem State make an average of around $59,000 each year.

It was enough to draw first-year nurse Kendra Nordahl from South Dakota to Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello.

“Coming over here to Idaho, nurses are getting paid more than back in South Dakota, so I think I’m doing pretty good,” said Nordahl.

Other states, including Washington and Oregon, typically pay nurses more than Idaho, but the Drexel report found that higher living costs in those states voided any of the benefits that come with a higher salary.

“You kind of get the biggest bang for your buck (in Idaho),” said Idaho State University nursing professor Tina Mladenka.

At ISU’s nursing school, the profession has continued to attract interest.

One academic adviser told Local News 8 she spoke to 200 students interested in nursing last fall, and that the school is having to turn some prospective students away.

“We only have so many seats. Our program is always competitive. We always have more students apply than who we can accept into the program,” said Abbey Hirt, an adviser at the nursing school.

Mladenka said it’s likely that demand for nursing careers will only continue to grow in the coming years.

“People want to go into nursing to help people and they can do that very well as a nurse, plus they can make pretty good money,” she said.