Nursing Jobs: Indianapolis Overview
Sitting along the White River, Indianapolis is one of the country’s top 20 largest cities. Known for its racing and sports culture, it also has a number of nationally recognized medical facilities like Riley Children’s Health and others operating within the Indiana University Health system. When it comes to nursing jobs, Indianapolis has a range of full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and per diem options to choose from.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Indianapolis
- Is Indiana a compact state? Yes. Learn about the rules that govern the profession in the Indiana Nurse Practice Act.
- How much do nurses make in Indianapolis? This is a breakdown of average annual salaries in Indianapolis by license/certification:
- NP salary in Indianapolis: $124,960
- RN salary in Indianapolis: $85,580
- LPN salary in Indianapolis: $60,760
- CNA salary in Indianapolis: $38,580
- Where can I find information about nurse license requirements in Indiana? For updated information, visit the Indiana Board of Nursing. If your license is set to expire, explore our article on how to renew a nursing license in Indiana.
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Indianapolis
As the largest city in the state, Indianapolis is home to nearly 880,000 people. With its dense network of healthcare facilities, you can choose from a wide range of nursing jobs. Indianapolis healthcare facilities are looking to hire for roles including:
- CRNA jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- CNM jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Nurse practitioner jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- RN jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- LPN jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Certified nursing assistant jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Surgical tech jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- CMA jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Medication aide jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Home health aide jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Caregiver jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
- Student nurse jobs in Indianapolis, Indiana
To get a better idea of the patients you’d be treating in the Hoosier City, the median age is 34.3, with residents ages 65 and older making up 13% of the city’s population. About 59% of the residents are single and 41% are married. Roughly 26% of single residents have children and about the same percentage of married residents (27%) have children.
Make sure cultural competence is in your skill set before applying to nursing jobs — Indianapolis is a diverse city. Around 53.6% of the population is White; 28% is Black; 13.3% is Hispanic or Latino; 8% is two or more races; and 4% is Asian.
Working in Indianapolis
The number of licensed nursing professionals in Indiana is not keeping up with demand, so your training is highly valued on the job market. If you’re looking for nursing jobs, Indianapolis welcomes you with open arms. When combining jobs for practitioners and healthcare support occupations, the healthcare industry is among the largest sectors for employment in the area.
Indianapolis is also home to Riley Children’s Health, a Magnet-recognized provider that’s designated as a Level 1 Children’s Surgery Center by the American College of Surgeons (ACS). Indiana University (IU) Health Hospital is also located in the city, and its academic medical center partners with the IU School of Medicine, creating a number of opportunities for nursing jobs. Indianapolis has its share of hospitals, medical centers, and clinics serving the local community, including:
- Indiana University (IU) Health
- Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis Hospital
- Franciscan Health
- Parkview Health
- Deaconess Midtown Hospital
- Community Health Network
The city also has a number of community-based care programs offered by the Marion County Public Health Department and a wide network of medical clinics woven throughout the region, which includes the Eskenazi Health Center, the Shalom Health Care Center, and the Oak Street Health Clinics.
With a network of streets modeled after Washington DC, you’ll see state-named streets crisscrossing through the downtown on your daily commute. The organized layout may be why the average one-way commute is only 23.2 minutes, shorter than the national average. Most commuters prefer to drive their own cars to and from work, with only 9.3% using car pools and 2% taking mass transit.
There are childcare assistance programs available in Indianapolis and the state offers a helpful Child Care Finder so parents can easily find providers in their area.
Living in Indianapolis
If you’re planning on working at different nursing jobs in Indianapolis, you’ll benefit from a city that’s full of events and activities for single people and families alike. With the 10-mile long pedestrian and bike-friendly Indianapolis Cultural Trail connecting many of the city’s neighborhoods, you can find one that works for you while still feeling a connection to all that the city has to offer.
From the exciting nightlife and colorful murals of Broad Ripple Village to the cultural cuisines and art galleries of Fountain Square, these neighborhoods offer a full embrace of the city’s cultural life. If you’re looking for something a little more on the charming side, the Irvington or Speedway neighborhoods might be more to your liking.
The sports scene is also quite rich in the home of the Indy 500. As a host for professional teams like the Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indiana Fever, and Indy Fuel, Indianapolis also has a well-fanned amateur sports scene. In addition to supporting their local teams, residents also keep active on the healthy network of trails weaving in and around the city, and in the many marathons, minimarathons, and lower K races held throughout the year.
If you’re planning on living in Indianapolis with that special someone, you can plan evening gondola rides along the Central Canal, or regular dinner dates in the Bottleworks District, which used to be home to a Coca-Cola plant. For families with children, you also have your choice of activities, from visiting the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis to exploring the engaging exhibits at the Conner Prairie Interactive History Park.
For air travel, Indianapolis residents have several options. Just about seven miles from downtown, Indianapolis International Airport serves as a hub for Allegiant Air with some top destination cities including Charlotte, Dallas, Baltimore, and Atlanta. Residents also have the option of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Dayton International Airport, both of which are within a two-hour drive from downtown.
The weather in Indianapolis gives you the full taste of all seasons, but without getting too far into the extremes. With warm and humid summers, residents can expect temperatures averaging between 75 and 85 degrees from May to September. In the winter months, the city sees cold winds and snow, with temperatures averaging between 22 degrees and 33 degrees from December through March.
With all of the benefits that Indianapolis has to offer, it does come with a better price tag as the cost of living in the city is about 10.3% lower than the national average. Home prices are also 29% below the national average and renters also benefit from an average rental rate that’s 14% below the national average — about $1,325 per month.
IntelyCare Can Help You Find Great Nursing Jobs
Indianapolis 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.