Career Resources / Minnesota Quality of Life for Nurses
Once viewed as little more than an extra pair of hands to assist physicians with housekeeping duties, today’s nurses are highly respected for their professional skills, education, and abilities. This is particularly true in Minnesota, a state that is globally recognized for being at the pinnacle of medical care. Minnesota nurses work in collaboration with physicians and other members of the care team to both advance the patient experience and shape the way their facilities function. They advocate for their patients, their communities, and themselves.
But the advantages of being a nurse in Minnesota go beyond professional opportunities and advancement. Minnesota offers all of its residents a friendly atmosphere and a superior quality of life, no matter whether you choose to live in the Twin Cities or any of the state’s suburban or rural areas. The Land of 10,000 Lakes is rich with water-based recreational activities and people who are “Minnesota Nice” and highly educated too — the state ranks 2nd in the country for residents who have earned at least an associate degree. Workers at all levels benefit from a minimum wage that is above the federal standard, and the tuition freeze that’s been placed on higher education makes academic opportunities more accessible for all.
For healthcare professionals in general and registered nurses in particular, working in Minnesota places you squarely in the midst of the region now known as “Medical Alley” for its intersection of health technology companies and healthcare facilities. There are few things more exciting than being at the center of concerted efforts to improve patient care.
- Minnesota is Home to Internationally Recognized Hospitals and Health Care Facilities
When you think of health innovation and world-class care, the Mayo Clinic is at the top of the list of facilities, and its international reputation has inspired the state to turn the surrounding area into a Destination Medical Center that includes the country’s largest and most comprehensive sports medicine practice. Minneapolis is also home to Hazelden, the nation’s largest nonprofit treatment provider for chemical dependency and originator of the 12-step program, and the University of Minnesota Health represents a unique collaboration between the school’s physicians and researchers and the surrounding community.
- Minnesota’s Excellent Health Care Innovation Means Robust Health
It makes sense but it also bears repeating: when people have access to great health care, they enjoy better health. Minnesotans are routinely viewed as being in better health than residents of most other states, and notably is the only state in the country where the leading cause of death is not heart disease. That may be directly related to the state also having lower rates of smoking, asthma, and obesity, but is also a reflection of the care provided by facilities like the Minneapolis Heart Institute (MHI). Part of Allina Health’s Abbott Northwestern Hospital, MHI is ranked in the top one percent of heart health innovation and has established the largest telemedicine program in cardiology, and offers hands-on services through dozens of locations in the state.
Minnesota is where you’ll find the century-old Children’s Minnesota, one of the largest freestanding pediatric health systems in the United States. It’s where skin-to-skin contact with newborns was discovered and where the nation’s first pediatric pain, palliative, and integrative medicine clinic was created. It’s also an innovator in the use of acupuncture and other alternative medicine treatments within the hospital structure, in healing centers focused on spirituality, and in community-based clinical education.
Finally, Minnesota’s primacy as a healthcare innovator goes beyond direct care. In-ear hearing aids, the world’s first wearable pacemaker, and other complex medical devices were all born in the state, and this drew more and more entrepreneurs, inventors, and healthcare companies.
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- Minnesota Nurses Enjoy Creative, Comprehensive Compensation
Not only do Minnesota’s registered nurses enjoy the benefits of working for the nation’s most highly esteemed medical facilities, but they also earn higher average salaries than their colleagues in the rest of the nation and robust benefits that provide for themselves as well as their family members. Medical plans offer flexible coverage and premiums as well as pharmacy, vision, hearing, and dental benefits. Well-being programs offer credits toward health care premiums and Amazon gift cards in exchange for participation, while retirement savings plans and financial guidance are also common perks. Nurses interested in expanding their education are eligible for tuition reimbursement, while those who want to expand their families can receive adoption assistance including both financial assistance and leaves of absence.
- Economic Advantages of Living in Minnesota
No matter how much money you earn, there are economic considerations that go beyond salary. Fortunately, Minnesota’s economy means that your income goes even further, and there are other advantages too. With multiple Fortune 500 companies and countless entrepreneurs making the state their headquarters, your family members will have plenty of opportunities to choose from. And though Minnesota’s progressive income taxes, sales tax, and estate tax can be a shock for some, the reasonable cost of living means that your money goes further. Groceries, utilities, and transportation are approximately two-to-five percent lower than in the rest of the country, and despite its high quality, the cost of healthcare runs 20% below the national average.
- Minnesota Offers a High Quality of Life for Registered Nurses
Great recreational and outdoor activity options, plenty of sports teams to cheer for, and a great educational system are just a few of the things that have led to Minnesota ranking as one of the top states in the country for quality of life. Despite the length and low temperatures that characterize Minnesota’s winters and the unfortunate lack of public transportation, Minnesota’s residents enjoy a diverse arts and cultural environment, endless fresh air and forests, and the famous Mall of America and its indoor theme park.
Combine all of these advantages with the amazing job opportunities that abound for registered nurses, and it’s no wonder that we think of Minnesota as one of the best places in the country for nurses. To learn more, check out Incredible Health’s job search platform, where top Minnesota employers are waiting for you to log on so that they can reach out to you.
