Overview
Minnesota, land of 10,000 lakes has a long tradition of excellence in the health care industry. The world-renowned Mayo Clinic, founded by the Mayo brothers in the late 19th century, is based in Rochester. Nursing students fortunate enough to train at the University of Minnesota at Rochester have the opportunity to get clinical experience there. Employment in urban hospitals is less plentiful in the current economy, but work can still be found in some rural areas.
Nursing Education in Minnesota
Studying nursing in Minnesota affords aspiring nurses the opportunity to attend some of the finest nursing programs in the country. For example, nursing students at the University of Minnesota Rochester have the opportunity to gain work experience at the Mayo Clinic. Nursing scholarships are plentiful and administered through several of the state’s universities and colleges..
Outlook for Nursing in Minnesota
The health care industry is huge in Minnesota. It accounts for around 14 percent of Minnesota payrolls, and one in seven employed Minnesotans works in the industry. Even so, the recent recession has hit the sector, and urban hospitals have cut nearly 1,000 jobs according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbook 2010 edition. Nurses are still in demand, but finding work, in the short term, may be difficult. The wages are relatively high in the state at nearly $35.00 an hour.
Some of the top employers of Registered Nurses in Minnesota include Saint Mary’s Hospital, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview - University Campus, Abbott Northwestern Hospital, Saint Cloud Hospital, and Hennepin County Medical Center.
Nursing Degree Programs in Minnesota
Transition programs for nurses:
Graduate programs for nurses:
- All Masters in Nursing Programs in MN
- All DNP and PhD in Nursing Programs in MN
- All Nurse Practitioner Programs in MN
Entry level nursing programs:




