Nursing Jobs: Albuquerque Overview
Albuquerque sits in the high desert of New Mexico at 5,314 feet, making it the highest metropolitan city in the U.S. Two of its educational institutions, the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Central New Mexico Community College, are known for their medical programs. If you're seeking full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem work, consider searching here for nursing jobs. Albuquerque has much to offer you on and off the clock.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Albuquerque
- Is New Mexico a compact state? Yes. Read about the New Mexico Nurse Practice Act.
- How much do nurses earn in Albuquerque? This is a breakdown of average annual salaries in Albuquerque by license/certification:
- NP salary in Albuquerque: $135,690
- RN salary in Albuquerque: $92,350
- LPN salary in Albuquerque: $52,860
- CNA salary in Albuquerque: $37,650
- Where can I find information about nursing license requirements in NM? You can visit the New Mexico Board of Nursing website for up-to-date information. Need to renew a license? Our article on the New Mexico nursing license renewal process can help.
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Albuquerque
Albuquerque is a growing city with a metro area population of more than 908,000. This represents a steady growth of 1% to 2% each year. The city combines the Southwest feel of the Pueblos with the progressive culture of a college town. At UNM, bachelor’s degrees are available in emergency medical services, international mountain medicine, radiological sciences, and nuclear medicine. Its nursing program offers BSN degrees that include online learning. Central New Mexico Community College is also known for its school of nursing and patient support. Programs in the school include medical assistant, nursing, nursing assistant, and patient care technician.
You can explore the latest jobs for your license or certification:
- Nurse practitioner jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- RN jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- LPN jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- CNA jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- Surgical tech jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- CMA jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- Home health aide jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- Caregiver jobs in Albuquerque, NM
- Student nurse jobs in Albuquerque, NM
An overview of your potential patient base shows the median age in Albuquerque is 37.5. More than 17% are 65 years or older, and 11% are younger than 65 with a disability.
With Albuquerque’s diverse cultural makeup, you can attract hiring managers’ attention by ensuring your skill set includes cultural competency before you apply to nursing jobs. Albuquerque has a population that is 55% White, 48% Hispanic or Latino, 22% two or more races; 5% Native American and Alaska Native, 3% Asian, and 3% Black. More than 27% of households speak a language other than English, so if you're multilingual, you may have an advantage when you apply to nursing jobs.
Albuquerque Workforce and Employers
The main industries in Albuquerque include aerospace, bioscience, and renewable energy. Healthcare practitioners and healthcare support employees number around 50,000. You can jump-start your search for a new job by exploring the latest openings at these hospitals, medical systems, and healthcare employers:
- Central Desert Behavioral Health Hospital
- Haven Behavioral Healthcare
- Lovelace Health System
- Presbyterian Healthcare Services
- UNM Hospital
These settings are not the only sources of nursing jobs. Albuquerque, New Mexico, has numerous skilled nursing facilities. Additionally, the New Mexico Department of Health operates facilities in Bernalillo County, where Albuquerque is located. These include clinics for epidemiology, family planning, immunizations, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, and one for women, infants, and children.
If you’re like most workers, you can plan on an average commute time of 21.3 minutes, which is considerably shorter than the national average of over 26 minutes. You might be able to meet up with some of the 9% who carpool, but you may be driving to work by yourself, as nearly 80% do.
If you anticipate the need for childcare in Albuquerque, the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department maintains a database of providers, along with information about free childcare services. Don’t forget to make arrangements for your pets if they need care during the day. There are many pet sitters in Albuquerque whom you can rely on.
Living in Albuquerque
There are 11 neighborhoods within Albuquerque proper, plus many more in surrounding areas. If you like a mix of history and culture, Historic Old Town is where it all started in 1706. Today it’s the cultural district of the city. Nob Hill is the place to be if you like an eclectic vibe, with your choice of places to dine and dance. One area is named after Albuquerque’s signature event of the year: Balloon Fiesta Park is centered around the field where balloons take off. The International Balloon Museum is nearby, as are hotels and chain restaurants.
You’ll need to do some homework before eating in an Albuquerque restaurant. When they ask you if you prefer red or green, you’ll need to decide quickly which pepper you want. Once that’s settled, you can proceed with some of the area’s signature dishes like breakfast burritos, enchiladas, and bizcochito cookies.
Beyond the museum devoted to hot air balloons, there are other museums centered on such diverse topics as natural history and science, rattlesnakes, and even turquoise.
Getting in and out of Albuquerque will likely be via the ABQ International Sunport. Along with being the way to travel to and from the city, it also has a world-class art collection. With more than 400 flights a day to 20 destinations, you can go just about anywhere you want. When you fly in, it’s a quick 12-minute drive to downtown Albuquerque.
What about the heat in Albuquerque? You’ll encounter that, of course. But did you know that although winters are short, they can be freezing? Invite the family to visit during the most pleasant time of the year, from May to late September.
You’ll be happy to know that Albuquerque’s cost of living is 5.6% lower than the national average. The average home price is around $416,000, and a rental goes for about $1,550 per month.
IntelyCare Is Your Source for Great Nursing Jobs
Albuquerque has excellent career opportunities for nurses and healthcare professionals. Need some help getting started? Find out how IntelyCare can match you with nursing jobs in your specialty area and preferred facility type.