Career Resources / Nursing Opportunities in Minnesota
When it comes to being at the center of the healthcare universe, registered nurses can’t do much better than the state of Minnesota. The locale of what has come to be known as “Medical Alley,” the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul is home to one of the world’s best known medical organizations in the Mayo Clinic, the country’s largest health insurer in UnitedHealth Group, global leaders in medical device innovation, and academic institutions that are graduating leaders in public health and healthcare management, as well as highly skilled and educated medical professionals.
Health professionals in Minnesota take pride in their position as what they call “The Global Epicenter of Health Innovation and Care.” Through various associations and organizations, they are collaborating to transform the future of healthcare by providing better patient experiences and improved care. Minnesota’s state legislature is considering joining the Nurse Licensure Compact in order to attract more top-tier skilled nursing talent, and is also moving forward with a bill called the Keeping Nurses at the Bedside Act which would assemble multiple committees made up of both management and healthcare workers to collaborate in setting safe staffing levels.
Despite significant nursing shortages throughout the state, nurses working in Minnesota enjoy the pride that comes with working at the pinnacle of care. Not only do they earn average salaries that are higher than what nurses nationwide are making, but they do so while working for hospitals and health systems that rank high for the quality of care they provide. According to the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Minnesota ranks among the best states overall for healthcare quality, and the Commonwealth Fund ranks the state third in the nation for health system performance, as well as for prevention and treatment, and fourth for healthy lives. The state also ranked third best for the health and wellbeing of its seniors based on factors including clinical care.
Perhaps most important of all, in 2022WalletHub ranked Minnesota the fourth best state in the country to work as a nurse based on opportunity and competition and second for salaries adjusted by cost of living. Combine all of these professional factors with the state’s many social and environmental features and it’s easy to see why Minnesota is one of the best places in the country to work as a nurse.
Types of Nursing Jobs in Minnesota
Nurses in the state of Minnesota have their choice of excellent work settings. From positions teaching nursing students and advanced practice positions in one of the nation’s top-ranked hospitals and research institutions to providing care in long-term care facilities or remotely via telemedicine technology, nurse professionals can write their own ticket about the environment in which they choose to practice and the demographic that they want to serve. Whichever setting they choose they will find themselves respected, sought after, and highly valued.
With so many options available to them, nurses considering a job in Minnesota need to do their research and find the spot that suits them best. Below you’ll find a few of the nursing employers we’ve found most generous and considerate of their nursing staff.
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Mayo Clinic
No list of Minnesota medical facilities would be complete without naming the Mayo Clinic. Located in Rochester, Minnesota, the not-for-profit hospital is consistently named #1 in the country overall by U.S. News & World Report and is top-ranked in fourteen specialties. In addition to its stellar patient care, the facility has been named an award winner in multiple categories associated with its commitment to its employees. It was named a ‘Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’ by the American Association of People with Disabilities; ranked fourth in DiversityInc’s ‘Top Hospitals and Health Systems’ list; and was recognized as a ‘Military-Friendly Employer.’
For registered nurses, the Mayo Clinic Department of Nursing is among the world’s largest, and has been awarded Magnet designation for its excellence six times. Nursing professionals at Mayo are considered vital team members who work collaboratively with physicians, patient educators, and other health practitioners under a professional practice model. They participate in shared decision-making and benefit from state-of-the-art technology. The hospital offers a Nurse Residency Program for all nurses with less than 12 months of experience to ensure a successful transition from student to professional, and nurses receive both generous compensation and benefits that include pension and 403(b)/401(k) match, continuing medical education, paid time off and disability, relocation assistance, and more. Notable additions include up to $10,000 per child in adoption assistance and up to $12,000 for dependent scholarships, wellness programs and fitness facilities, parking and commuting, and a career investment program.
Allina Health
With 12 hospital campuses, 65 primary care clinics, and 14 urgent care centers, Allina Health is invested in the health of the people of Minnesota. The system has earned both local and national recognition both for its exceptional care and for the excellent environment that its employees enjoy. Multiple Allina Health hospitals have been ranked among the best in the Twin Cities by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals rankings, and the hospital won high marks in five Racial Equity categories as well as in the Disability Equality Index Report. Allina’s Abbott Northwestern Hospital received Magnet Recognition designation for its quality patient care, nursing excellence, and innovations in professional nursing practice, and an “A” Grade for patient safety from the Leapfrog Group, while Mercy Hospital and Northwestern Hospital were both named to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list.
Allina Health hires both new grad nurses and long-tenured nurses. They are a leader in nurse-initiated research studies, offering a special interdisciplinary program in partnership with St. Catherine University in St. Paul, Minnesota, and offer nurses the opportunity to work with cutting-edge, time saving technology that improves care. Perhaps most importantly, Allina Health is committed to its nurses’ futures, offering pathways to advancement and work-life balance. Compensation is generous, and the facility offers bonuses to employees who refer candidates.
HealthPartners
The country’s largest non-profit healthcare organization, HealthPartners provides insurance, health, and well-being programs. Nurses can work for the organization in a number of roles, including both primary care and hospice, in positions including case management, nurse management, and telephone triage. Clinic nurses can work in over 50 specialties and receive essential support from colleagues who value and trust their skills and knowledge.
HealthPartners nurses receive generous compensation and benefits including medical, dental, sick and vacation time, retirement contributions, and access to online courses that offer free CEU credits. They are also eligible for sign-on bonuses.
Working as a nurse in Minnesota offers countless professional and personal rewards, no matter what work setting suits you best. For information on available opportunities, start by visiting Incredible Health’s nursing job search page.
