Help please. Which state should I choose in applying for an NCLEX-RN?

Question

I have narrowed down the states to choose from based on Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) and Non-CGFNS states. I am from the Philippines and looking forward to work in the US.

These states are participants of the NLC and DOES NOT require CGFNS Qualifying Exam:

Arizona

Colorado

Kentucky

Maryland

New Mexico

North Carolina

South Carolina

Texas

I have excluded Arkansas because it will take 12 months for its BON to conduct a background criminal check before the application can actually be processed, which I think is very long period of waiting.

My first choice is Maryland because I have relatives there. But through the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), I will have a chance to pick the best state out of these 8 and later on join my relatives in Maryland.

And if you could let me know which of the states I have mentioned is a good catch or bad one and please state the reason (i.e. cheap cost of living, high taxes, low paying jobs, high unemployment rate, housing cost, or anything else that matters in migrating to that certain state)

I am also researching on these states more but I want to get a first hand opinion from those who actually experienced living there or have friends/relatives who actually did, or some people who just happen to know the place.

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

I am a former nurse from Kentucky, now living in Alabama. I guess the cost of living is reasonable and the pay is pretty good. There is a high demand for nurses all over the US, I do not think you should have a hard time finding employment at all. I do not know how the process works with you immigrating to the US, but I think you would do fine anywhere you choose.