Montana Ranks High for Best Places for Nurses

There have been several recent announcements of healthcare facilities expanding in Montana, yet a new study suggests that for nurses in particular, Montana is already a great place to be for those in the profession.

Community Medical Center Expansion

Last week it was announced that Community Medical Center would be expanding its campus to include a nursing education building. The expansion was made possible by a generous donation from Mark and Robyn Jones and through a partnership between Montana State University and Community Medical Center.

Developments in the Bitterroot Valley

The Missoula Current reported on Bitterroot Health, which expanded its Stevensville facility. Additional developments include a facility in Darby and the completion of a community hospital in Deer Lodge.

Billings Clinic and Logan Health

Additionally, Logan Health announced in February that Billings Clinic and Logan Health signed a "non-binding letter of intent to explore uniting the two organizations." The merger is intended to "[elevate] health care delivery in Montana and Wyoming."

Why Montana is a Great Place for Nurses

Given all the changes, it's an ideal time to review the prospects for nurses in the state of Montana. A recent study from WalletHub looked at the best states for nurses. Variables included job openings per capita, annual salary, healthcare facilities per capita, competition by 2030, and the projected share of the elderly population by 2030. Overall, Montana ranked in the top 10, coming in at number 7.

Interestingly, though maybe not surprisingly, Montana ranked 3rd for healthcare facilities per capita. Montana also ranked 5th for the projected share of the elderly population by 2030. While not as high, Montana still ranked in the top 25 for nurses per capita, job openings, and average annual salary, 18th, 21st, and 25th respectively.

The study also noted that nursing, in general, is a well-paid career choice with low unemployment.