Idaho is a scenic state with great mountains, scenic lakes, and open ranges. Actually a majority of Idaho's land is federally owned to preserve its natural beauty. Idaho is a very northern state that coupled with the fact that many of its residents live in rural areas makes a perfect recipe for a nursing shortage. Due to the weather conditions, terrain, and low population density there are very few healthcare professionals per capita in the state. This leads to health problems because the patients cannot get the care necessary in a timely fashion.
Many of Idaho's counties are designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). For an area to be designated as an HPSA, the federal government has to see the situation in the area as dire. When an area is designated an HPSA the federal government funds the area and enacts policies to make sure it does not become a humanitarian crisis. An area is designated an HPSA by the US Department of Health and Human Services.
The current temporary solution to the nursing shortage has been to hire traveling nurses. Traveling nurses are nurses who are temporarily transferred to an area where they are needed. Travel nursing was started in response to the nursing shortage in the country. These nurses choose to be mobile because: they enjoy visiting new places, the salary is higher with bonuses, and there are many free benefits. On top of all that, usually the places where they are transferred to have a dire need to nurses, so they are usually welcomed with open arms and they make a difference wherever they are.
A career in nursing in Idaho is a great opportunity. The salary is higher than average, the opportunities for advancement are also very good. Overall, Idaho is a great place to do nursing.
