The best hospital pretty much in NM is UNM in Albuquerque. If you need good health care in NM, you need to be near that area, it is the ONLY level 1 trauma center for at least 250 miles in any direction.
The rest of the towns have hit or miss health care or are a little behind the times. I went to nursing school in NM BTW, so I am not just blowing hot air.
As far as jobs, your best bet would be Santa Fe or Albuquerque area. A lot of the major attractions are on indian reservations or are government run - but there may be the stray hospitality job down there. Check out monster.com, salary is lower throughout NM, but so is your entire cost of living. Albuquerque is one of the cheapest places to live in the US and the climate is wonderful.
To make a corrolation salary-wise, I am a RN about 50 miles north of you. In Newburgh, my salary would be 30/hr, in NYC about 35/hr. In NM I would be lucky to clear 25/hr which I would take in a heartbeat to get out of the northeast.
I would try to look for govenment jobs down there as well. Also if you are looking for a career change, sometimes if you go to nursing school in NM and commit to working in the state after you graduate they will pay your tuition. 7 years ago some of the people I went to school with were actually getting cash up front when they were in school. Something to think about if you want a new career or are having a hard time finding a job down there.
Good Luck!
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