The Best and Worst States for Healthcare in 2024: What International Nurses Need to Know Before Choosing a U.S. Employer

The Best and Worst States for Healthcare in 2024: What International Nurses Need to Know Before Choosing a U.S. Employer

If you’re an international nurse considering making the move to the United States, no decision is more important than deciding where to start your career. The quality of healthcare varies dramatically state by state impacting not only patient outcomes, but also your experience as a nurse. At NurseContact, we connect talented international nurses with top U.S. employers, and we know how crucial it is to choose the right location for both professional growth and quality of life.

So how do U.S. states stack up when it comes to healthcare? The newest rankings reveal some surprising dynamics and offer key insights for international nurses planning their next career step.

Understanding State-by-State Healthcare Quality

A 2024 assessment by WalletHub compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C. in three essential areas:

  • Healthcare Cost: Affordability for patients and providers
  • Access to Care: Availability of doctors, nurses, and hospitals
  • Health Outcomes: Rates of preventable medical events, mortality, and overall public health

Scores are based on more than 44 diverse metrics from average insurance premiums, to hospital beds per capita, to vaccination rates. For international nurses, these factors can influence workload, resource availability, and opportunities for specialty practice.

The Top States for Healthcare in 2024

#1 Massachusetts
Consistently leading the nation, Massachusetts shines in patient access, outcomes, and a highly educated healthcare workforce. The state’s universal healthcare coverage translates to fewer uninsured patients, better preventive services, and safer staffing ratios making it ideal for international nurses seeking high standards of practice.

#2 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania excels in health outcomes and has a diverse network of hospitals, including several Magnet-recognized facilities that support professional development for nurses. Both rural and urban areas offer strong job markets for RNs.

#3 Connecticut
With high rates of insured residents and well-funded hospitals, Connecticut stands out for its access to care and efficient healthcare delivery. Nurses here typically report lower patient-to-nurse ratios and access to continuing education.

Other strong performers:

  • Rhode Island
  • Vermont
  • Minnesota
  • Maryland

The Most Challenging States for Nursing

On the other end of the spectrum, states facing the greatest healthcare headwinds include:

#50 Mississippi
Mississippi struggles with the nation’s highest rates of uninsured patients and chronic disease, contributing to greater patient complexity and more challenging work environments for nurses.

#49 Alabama
Chronic nurse shortages and resource limitations are common, particularly in rural hospitals.

Other states facing difficulties:

  • Louisiana
  • Oklahoma
  • Arkansas
  • West Virginia

While these locations may offer opportunities in terms of high demand for nurses, international RNs should weigh the challenges related to staffing ratios, infrastructure, and support.

Why These Rankings Matter for International Nurses

At NurseContact, our mission is to streamline the hiring process for international nurses while ensuring the best career matches. Here’s why understanding state rankings matters:

  1. Work Environment:
    States with better health outcomes and access often mean safer staffing levels, increased clinical resources, and more professional support.
  2. Patient Populations:
    States ranked lower may have more uninsured or medically complex patients, affecting your scope of practice and patient care priorities.
  3. Career Advancement:
    Higher-ranked states often support nursing education, specialty certifications, and leadership development.

Choosing the Best U.S. State for Your Nursing Journey

It’s not just about the highest salary or job availability; consider factors like workplace safety, employer support, patient loads, and quality of life. Each state offers a unique healthcare landscape and at NurseContact, we help international nurses navigate these complexities.

Interested in launching your U.S. nursing career in a top-ranked state? Create your NurseContact profile today and let us connect you with trusted U.S. healthcare employers for a streamlined, supportive hiring process.

About NurseContact:
NurseContact is a digital nurse recruitment marketplace dedicated to matching highly skilled international nurses with leading U.S. healthcare employers. Our platform offers a streamlined hiring process, support with nurse licensing, and expert career advice to ensure a seamless transition to American healthcare.

Sources:
WalletHub: 2024’s Best and Worst States for Health Care
Becker’s Hospital Review

by Raymond Escueta July 10, 2025 No comments
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