Nurse Burnout Surges in the U.S.: Colorado, Arizona, and New York Rank Highest
Concierge nurse jobs see dramatic spike in interest as more nurses seek alternatives
A new analysis by nurse staffing platform Nursa reveals that Colorado tops the list of U.S. states where nurses are most at risk of burnout — a growing concern in healthcare settings nationwide. According to the report, interest in “concierge nurse” services surged by over 3,000% in recent days, reflecting a shift in how nurses are rethinking their roles amid rising levels of stress and dissatisfaction.
The World Health Organization defines burnout as chronic workplace stress not successfully managed, marked by exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy. In the United States, an estimated 31.5% of registered nurses leave the profession due to burnout, highlighting its urgent impact on workforce stability.
To better understand which regions are most affected, Nursa developed a state-level “burnout score” based on a range of data sources and metrics aligned with the WHO’s criteria — including compensation, patient load, job satisfaction, and cost of living.
Top 3 States with the Highest Nurse Burnout Scores
1. Colorado – Burnout Score: 8.42/10
Colorado ranks highest in the nation for nurse burnout. Nurses in the state are responsible for an average of 155 patients each, one of the highest patient-to-nurse ratios in the country. Though average weekly hours are slightly lower at 37, the benefits are offset by a cost of living 2% above the national average. The state also reported a low job satisfaction index of 3.4/10, reflecting the strain on nursing professionals.
2. Arizona – Burnout Score: 8.31/10
Nurses in Arizona face similarly high workloads, caring for 148 patients on average. With a 39-hour work week and a cost of living 11.2% higher than average, many nurses report challenges balancing compensation with quality of life. The state’s job satisfaction score came in at 4.9/10.
3. New York – Burnout Score: 8.14/10
Despite a slightly lower patient load (107 per nurse), New York nurses contend with some of the highest cost-of-living pressures in the country — 23.3% above the national average. Coupled with longer working hours (39 per week) and a compensation index of just 4.1/10, New York landed in the top three states for nurse burnout.
Where Nurses Are Least at Risk: Rhode Island
At the other end of the spectrum, Rhode Island was identified as the state with the lowest burnout risk, scoring 4.46/10 on the burnout index. Although nurses in Rhode Island work 40 hours per week and face a 12.2% higher cost of living, they report high job satisfaction (10/10) and manage an average of just 91 patients each. The data suggests that lower patient volumes may be more influential in reducing burnout than higher compensation.
Burnout Rankings: Top 10 States Most at Risk
| Rank | State | Patients/Nurse | Avg Weekly Hours | Annual Salary | Cost of Living | Compensation Index | Satisfaction Index | Burnout Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 155 | 37 | $86,590 | +2.0% | 6.6 | 3.4 | 8.42 |
| 2 | Arizona | 148 | 39 | $95,230 | +11.2% | 6.0 | 4.9 | 8.31 |
| 3 | New York | 107 | 39 | $110,490 | +23.3% | 4.1 | 3.1 | 8.14 |
| 4 | North Carolina | 122 | 39 | $86,270 | -2.2% | 7.4 | 5.0 | 7.97 |
| 5 | Delaware | 92 | 41 | $95,450 | +0.8% | 6.6 | 1.7 | 7.94 |
| 6 | Maryland | 141 | 39 | $96,650 | +15.3% | 5.8 | 5.7 | 7.79 |
| 7 | Nevada | 130 | 39 | $102,280 | +1.3% | 5.0 | 4.9 | 7.75 |
| 8 | Montana | 100 | 39 | $88,480 | -5.1% | 7.1 | 1.0 | 7.71 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | 116 | 39 | $90,830 | -4.9% | 6.6 | 4.2 | 7.70 |
| 10 | Maine | 107 | 38 | $87,440 | +12.1% | 6.7 | 5.3 | 7.62 |
Methodology
Nursa’s analysis drew from multiple public datasets to calculate a composite burnout score for each state. This included:
- Patient-to-nurse ratios
- Average weekly working hours
- Annual salary levels
- State-level cost of living adjustments
- Satisfaction Index (reflecting job satisfaction)
- Compensation Index (indicating how hard nurses must work for average earnings)
A higher Compensation Index score suggests nurses must work more to earn the same compensation, while a higher Burnout Score reflects a greater likelihood of burnout.
Takeaway
The findings underscore a key takeaway: burnout risk is more closely tied to workload than compensation alone. While pay and hours matter, managing patient load and improving job satisfaction may be the most effective levers in addressing burnout. As interest in alternative nursing models — like concierge care — grows, healthcare systems may need to rethink how they support frontline staff to maintain a sustainable, resilient workforce.
