Ready to become a nurse in the American Southwest? With IntelyCare, you can browse full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, per diem, and travel nursing jobs in Tucson, AZ. The city’s natural beauty, perfect weather, and vibrant community makes it an ideal place to pursue a career in healthcare. Read more about nursing in Tucson and discover how to find the career support and work-life balance you’ve been looking for.
Quick Facts about Nursing Jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Is Arizona a compact state? Yes, Arizona is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact. Learn more about the state’s nursing rules and regulations in the Arizona Nurse Practice Act.
- What are the salaries for nurse jobs in Tucson? This is a breakdown of average annual salaries in Tucson by license/certification:
- NP salary in Tucson: $129,360
- RN salary in Tucson: $86,960
- LPN salary in Tucson: $64,330
- CNA salary in Tucson: $39,260
- Where can I get information about nurse license requirements in Tucson? Visit the Arizona Board of Nursing to get the most up-to-date information. If your credentials are expiring soon, you can check out our article on how to renew an Arizona state nursing license.
- Can I search for Arizona nursing jobs in cities around Tucson? Yes. If you’re looking to move the Tucson area but are curious what types of jobs are available in the surrounding areas, you can check out openings in these nearby cities:
- Nursing jobs in Benson, AZ
- Nursing jobs in Green Valley, AZ
- Nursing jobs in Oracle, AZ
- Nursing jobs in Sahuarita, AZ
- Nursing jobs in Vail, AZ
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Tucson, AZ
Tucson is home to over 547,000 residents, making it the second-largest city in Arizona. The median age of residents is 35.6, which is almost four years below the national median. Nearly 20% of the population is under the age of 18, and 15.8% are age 65 and over. Approximately 11.5% of the population lives with a disability.
When describing Tucson’s racial diversity, 48% of residents are White, 42.7% are Hispanic or Latino, 5% are Black, 2.7% are Native American, 3.1% are Asian, and 19.1% of residents identify as two or more races. Nearly 14% of residents were born outside of the U.S. Before moving to the area, you’ll want to brush up on your cultural competency skills to ensure you’re prepared to provide fair and equitable care.
If you’re curious what types of positions are available but aren’t sure which specialty you’d like to work in, you can start by browsing for nursing jobs by role:
- CRNA jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Nurse practitioner jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Registered nurse jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Licensed practical nurse jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Certified nursing assistant jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Certified medical assistant jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Surgical tech jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Home health aide jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Caregiver jobs in Tucson, AZ
- Student nurse jobs in Tucson, AZ
Working in Tucson
Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations make up the sixth-largest employment sector in the city. Despite there being over 24,000 local residents who work in healthcare, studies show that nearly 38% of Arizona hospitals continue to suffer from critical staffing shortages, especially in densely populated areas like Tucson.
As part of the AZ Healthy Tomorrow Initiative, local and state governments are actively funding programs to grow the Arizona healthcare workforce, expand nursing education opportunities, and improve access to care.
Whether you have years of experience or are looking for new graduate nursing jobs, Tucson has plenty of acute care positions to choose from in the city's top healthcare systems. These include:
- Carondelet Health Network
- El Rio Health
- Northwest Healthcare
- Oro Valley Hospital (part of Community Health Systems)
- Tucson Medical Center
- Tucson VA Medical Center (part of the Veterans Health Administration)
- University Medical Center Tucson (part of Banner Health)
If you’re interested to see what types of post-acute jobs are available, you can browse open positions in Tucson’s highly rated long-term care facilities. You can also apply for jobs directly with the State of Arizona's Department of Health Services.
The average commute time in Tucson is only 22.2 minutes, which is nearly five minutes shorter than the national average. Nearly 74% of residents drive alone, 10.9% carpool with others, and 4.1% take public transportation. If you’re looking to cut out your commute entirely, you can join the other 3.7% of residents who work from home by browsing remote nursing jobs in your area of expertise.
Those moving to Tucson with kids can find trustworthy childcare providers on the Arizona Childcare Resource and Referral website. If you have furry friends who’ll need love and attention while you’re at work, there are plenty of local pet sitters who can help.
Living in Tucson
Tucson has been rated as the best place to live in Arizona for its natural wonders, thriving economy, and small-town charm. Nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Valley, Tucson is surrounded by desert beauty for all to enjoy. Whether you’re looking to hike through Saguaro National Park , play a round of golf at one of the area’s 40 beautiful courses, or bike on the protected 131-mile Loop Trail, you’ll be able to appreciate all the city has to offer.
With 350 days of sunshine per year in Tucson, you’ll be able to enjoy the great outdoors all year round. Temperatures range from a mild 40 degrees in the winter to the low 100s in the summer months, with only 10 inches of annual rainfall.
Known as the Old Pueblo for its Spanish and Native American history, Tucson has an incredible heritage and culture full of art and music. Events like the Tucson Folk Festival and the Tucson Mariachi Conference are fun to visit with friends. On more relaxed days, nurses can appreciate stepping out to grab fresh produce or artisan goods at the local farmers market.
Tucson was also rated as the sixth-best food city in the U.S., with hundreds of local restaurants, bars, and cafes. You’ll be able to enjoy the area’s esteemed Tex-Mex, Sonoran hot dogs, and spicy margaritas all across Tucson.
If you’re interested in going back to school, you’ll be able to find a program that suits your needs at the nearby University of Arizona. If you already hold an advanced degree or just want to enjoy the college town atmosphere, the U of A offers plenty of sports games, theater productions, and free lectures to enjoy with the whole family.
The cost of living in Tucson is 3% lower than the national average, which makes it easier to afford a lifestyle of fun and sun while working as a nurse in the area.
Find Your Next Nursing Job on IntelyCare
Looking to take the next step in your healthcare career? Nursing jobs in Tucson, AZ, may be able to give you the fulfillment and job satisfaction you’re looking for. Find out how Intelycare can match you with positions to help you meet your personal and professional goals.