Are you currently working as a PRN nurse and absolutely loving it? We aren’t surprised! That’s because working as a PRN nurse has a ton of perks, including choosing your hours and building a schedule that fits your lifestyle.
Not a PRN nurse yet, but have been thinking about crossing over to the bright side? We will cheer you on! After all, we know how liberating a PRN schedule can be for a registered nurse (RN) who has previously worked tirelessly as a full-time staff nurse. In either case, we also have some tips to share on where PRN nurses can work and make great pay throughout the country.
Read on to get the deets on the very best US cities for PRN nurses to work, live, and thrive in 2022.
Phoenix, Arizona - It’s Hot on PRN Nursing
What is that saying again? Oh yes, “if you don’t like the heat, stay out of the kitchen.” On the contrary, when it comes to finding a PRN job in the US, you actually may want to step into the heat—that is to say, you should absolutely check out Phoenix, Arizona, if you are looking for a PRN nursing gig. And yes, we know it’s hot, but did you know that Phoenix, Arizona, happens to be one of the greatest cities to work as a PRN nurse due to its strong economy, thriving social scene, and endless outdoor activities? Furthermore, Phoenix has some of the best-ranking medical facilities in the nation; all these perks, topped with a relatively low total cost of living and great quality of life, make Phoenix one of the best places to live, according to a recent report by U.S. News & World Report.
The average salary for a PRN nurse in Phoenix can be upwards of $72,000 a year, which works out to be around $35 an hour. Phoenix also scores high on the list for being family-friendly due to its strong educational system and plenty of recreational activities to keep children entertained. For nurses who crave the outdoors, Phoenix is packed with nature-based activities, all within a short drive from the city. And while summers in Phoenix can be very hot and dry, the locals forgive the extreme temperatures at nightfall thanks to the city’s beautiful sunsets and vibrant nightlife.
All things considered, competitive PRN pay, family fun, and plenty of indoor and outdoor entertainment make Phoenix one of the best cities for a PRN nurse to work and play in 2022.
Keep Austin, Texas Weird (and Fun!) for Nurses
The branded slogan, Keep Austin Weird, sets this city apart from other cities in Texas. Austin has repeatedly proven itself to be a funky, safe, and highly entertaining place to live. Austin, Texas, also happens to be a popular city for young medical professionals to jump-start their careers while picking up shifts as PRN nurses. So what makes Austin so awesomely weird for PRN nurses to live and work? Thanks to a considerably low unemployment rate, and the fact that Austin has some of the top-ranking hospitals in the country, PRN nurses will have plenty of opportunities to pick up PRN shifts. Moreover, Austin boasts a competitive pay scale for nurses. That is to say, a PRN nurse can expect to make, on average, between $60,000 to upwards of $80,000 a year.
Apart from ample PRN employment opportunities, Austin has a lively music and foodie scene with specialty restaurants showcased on every street corner. With quirky bookstores and plenty of shopping districts to stroll through, Austin truly lives up to its charismatic reputation.
Overall, thanks to city charm, high PRN pay, and a generally low cost of living, Austin makes the list as a fantastic city for PRN nurses to live, work, and flourish.
San Diego, California - A Sunny Haven for Nurses
Summertime and the living’s easy—that is, of course, if you choose to live in San Diego, California. That’s because San Diego enjoys mild winters with almost year-round sunny skies. San Diego also happens to be home to some of the best beaches on the west coast. Additionally, San Diego is ranked as one of the most fun places to live in the US. And if that doesn’t sound sweet enough, San Diego is also considered a great place for nurses to live and thrive, thanks to its blossoming health sector. And while San Diego is certainly not the most affordable place to live, the fact that the average nurse can make more than $100,000 a year may make up for its higher-than-average cost of living. That said, prominent medical facilities such as Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Scripps Hospital, and plenty of other reputable health institutions ensure that job opportunities for PRN nurses are abundant in San Diego.
To sum it up, great weather, laid-back vibes, and a booming health sector make San Diego,
California, an awesome place for PRN nurses to work, live, and expand their careers.
Los Angeles - An Honorable Mention
Los Angeles didn’t make our list of the top places to work and thrive as a PRN nurse in 2022. However, it certainly deserves an honorable mention. While the cost of living in Los Angeles is particularly high (housing expenses are 129% higher than the national average—yikes!), nurses are always in high demand. This demand means that job opportunities for PRN nurses in LA are plentiful. Moreover, the city offers some of the highest compensation for its nurses.
And let’s be honest, Los Angeles is iconic. Home to worldwide celebrities, packed with famous landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, and offering the finest cuisine in the world, this city is a must-visit. So, if you score an opportunity to work as a PRN nurse in Los Angeles, we say take it! It will be a front-row ticket to explore one of the world's most popular and exciting cities.
Pick Up a PRN Shift Wherever You Are!
One of the greatest benefits of PRN work is that you can pick up a shift when you like and where you like. That means that, although the cities listed above are some of our top picks to work as PRN nurses, a local medical facility near you may also be looking for coverage right now. In any case, whether you decide to stay local or are thinking about packing up and moving on, PRN opportunities will be abundant in cities across the US.
So, are you ready for a PRN-work adventure? Then check out our per diem staffing app and pick up a per diem nursing shift today! Already working as a PRN nurse? Tell us about your experience and drop a comment below. Check out the most popular ways to stay hydrated on the job in our post about the best water bottles for nurses.
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