Yes, location matters, especially when it comes to finding an exciting and high-paying nursing job. Washington State offers a variety of nursing jobs in hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and home health care agencies. Moreover, the state of Washington offers nurses a higher-than-average salary compared to the national average and is ranked as the sixteenth best place to live in the United States.
Also, did we mention that the state of Washington is beautiful? With miles of charming coastline, gorgeous beaches, and plenty of outdoor activities, the state of Washington can be a haven for nurses looking for a place to settle down in their nursing careers.
Types of Nursing Jobs in Washington
Nurses who decide to make Washington their home should be happy to know that salaries throughout the state are competitive. What’s more, Washington State has a growing healthcare system that offers plenty of opportunities for nurses to get their feet wet within the medical field. Some of the popular nursing jobs in Washington include jobs for registered nurses (RNs)—including jobs for perioperative registered nurses, emergency room (ER) registered nurses, critical care nurses (CCNs), and pediatric registered nurses—nurse practitioners (NPs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs).
If you choose to work in these types of nursing positions, you can expect to work with diverse populations, including infants, elders, and those with chronic illnesses or disabilities. Also, if you are a nurse searching for a job in Washington State, make sure to be on the lookout for nursing jobs that become available in several top-performing hospitals, such as the following:
- The University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle
- Seattle Children’s Hospital
- Swedish Medical Center in Seattle
- Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue
- Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane
Cost of Living in Washington
According to a 2022 report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, registered nurses in the state of Washington can make an average annual salary of $101,670, which is about $48.88 per hour. And while the cost of living in Washington state is 15 percent higher than the national average, high nurse salaries afford a comfortable lifestyle for registered nurses. Considering that the national average annual salary for registered nurses is $81,220 per year, Washington is a desirable place for nurses to advance in their careers.
Perhaps one of the best cities in the United States to pursue a career in nursing is Seattle, Washington. Seattle, Washington, has become a hub for healthcare professionals around the country and offers some of the most competitive wages for nurses. In fact, a registered nurse working in Seattle, Washington, can expect to earn an average salary of $105,540 per year or $50.74 per hour. Even more is that nurses in Seattle can look forward to a variety of attractions and activities, including the city’s stunning skyline, culinary delights, national parks, and the scenic Puget Sound.
Things To Do in Seattle, Washington
Seattle offers a wide range of activities and attractions for nurses looking for something to do on their days off. From art museums and scenic parks to good eats and exploring the large inland estuary of Puget Sound, Seattle is a vibrant city worth discovering. So whether you are new in Seattle or have been living there for years, there is no shortage of things to do. As it happens, Seattle is considered a great place for outdoor enthusiasts as it offers numerous biking and hiking trails, national parks to visit, and sits on the Puget Sound (which promises year-round fresh sea air).
Here are some of the top activities and attractions for nurses in Seattle:
- Seattle Art Museum: This museum displays a large collection of artwork from different eras and geographic regions.
- Pike Place Market: Pike Place is a popular market for tourists and locals alike that features a variety of fresh seafood, produce, crafts, and more.
- Space Needle: The iconic needle-shaped tower in Seattle (605-ft-tall) features an observation deck with breathtaking views and a rotating restaurant.
- Pioneer Square: This is a historic district of Seattle bustling with galleries, shops, and foodie restaurants.
- Seattle Great Wheel: This giant 53-meter-tall Ferris wheel on Elliot Bay in Seattle is the tallest Ferris wheel on the West Coast.
- Puget Sound: Take a ferry ride from the shores of Seattle to visit nearby islands.
- Mount Rainier National Park: Visit the highest point (6,400 ft.-high) by car, hike or bike along scenic trails, and visit the park at night for extraordinary stargazing.
- Wineries: Visit some of Washington’s top wineries only a day trip away from Seattle.
- Woodland Park Zoo: This zoo features over 1,000 animals from around the world.
Is Washington a Good Place for Nurses?
Washington is a fantastic place for nurses to pursue a healthcare career. With its beautiful scenery, high nurse salaries, and several top-performing hospitals, it’s no wonder why many new nurses choose Washington as their home. Additionally, Washington's temperate climate, diverse geography, and abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities make it an ideal place for those who enjoy the great outdoors. To add the cherry on top, the city of Seattle, WA, is ranked as one of the healthiest cities in the nation. With all this in mind, we are absolutely certain that Washington is a good place for nurses to be!
Learn more about working as a nurse or nursing assistant in Washington in our Ultimate Guide to Washington for CNAs, LPNs, and RNs.
