PRN RN Jobs in Washington State Ultimate Guide

Home of iconic musicians and groundbreaking technological advances, the Evergreen State is an inspiring place for great minds. Not surprisingly, Washington’s healthcare system is among the top in the country.

The Evergreen State has 126,516 active licensed registered nurses (RNs). Since July 24, 2023, the state has been part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), opening its doors to nurses from different places to travel and experience life and RN jobs in Washington.

Since the end of January 2024, RNs who have primary residence in Washington and meet the multistate license (MSL) requirements can apply for the state’s MSL and work throughout the different states that are part of the NLC. Find out what type of RN-to-patient staffing ratios you can expect in all states.

How Much Do RNs Make in Washington on Average?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Evergreen State’s mean wage is $101,670 annually or $48.88 hourly, 12 percent higher than the national average. Moreover, the average RN salary varies throughout the state and also depends on your workplace setting and specialty.

What Are the Projections for RN Jobs in Washington?

Picture this: The average projection for RN job growth in the country is 6 percent. Now, regarding Washington state, the job growth projection for RNs is 16.2 percent, or 5,430 job openings annually until 2030. Therefore, the future looks promising for RNs in Washington. This job growth is also excellent news for anyone considering moving to the Evergreen State or for aspiring RNs currently living in the state.

Highest-Paying Cities in Washington for RNs

Most of Washington’s metropolitan areas have a higher mean RN wage than the national average of $89,010. Furthermore, the Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro metro area has the highest mean wage in the state at $111,610 per year.

The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area follows with a yearly average wage of $105,540, and the Spokane-Spokane Valley area is in third place with a mean wage of $98,090.

The following list shows cities among the mentioned metropolitan areas with links to per diem RN shifts.

Where Do RNs in Washington Work?

Registered nurses work in various settings since this is a practical profession. However, Washington has a greater concentration of RNs in some areas. The following list shows the highest concentration of RNs by setting:

Hospitals: 52.95%
Ambulatory Care: 12.51%
Insurance Claims/Benefits: 3.20%
Home Health: 3.10%

RNs can have different specialties, such as Behavioral Health or Dialysis, depending on their work experience and possible certifications. The following list shows the percentage of employment by specialty:

Acute Care: 14.15%
Medical Surgical: 10.63%
Emergency/Trauma: 7.12%
Perioperative: 6.12%

If you are in Washington looking for RN jobs in your specialty, you can click on the following links to find high-paying PRN shift opportunities: Medical-Surgical (MedSurg), Telemetry (TELE), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), or Emergency Room (ER).

What Are the Average Work Hours for RNs in Washington?

Registered nurses in the Evergreen State work 36.8 hours per week on average. In addition, 75.24 percent of registered nurses work full-time, and 24.76 percent work part-time. The following list shows the percentage of RNs in Washington with different workloads:

Registered nurses who work 100 hours per week: 0.05%
Registered nurses who work 95 hours per week: 0.01%
RNs who work 80 hours per week: 0.39%
Registered nurses who work 70 hours per week: 0.44%
RNs who work 60 hours per week: 1.92%
RNs who work 55 hours per week: 0.63%
Registered nurses who work 50 hours per week: 4.24%
RNs who work 45 hours per week: 4.28%
Registered nurses who work 40 hours per week: 33.84%
RNs who work 35 hours per week: 26.29%
Registered nurses who work 30 hours per week: 8.78%
Registered nurses who work 25 hours per week: 1.46%
RNs who work 20 hours per week: 7.72%
Registered nurses who work 15 hours per week: 1.35%
Registered nurses who work 10 hours per week: 1.46%
RNs who work 5 hours per week: 0.99%

What Is a Per Diem Nursing Job?

Per diem or PRN jobs are fixed-time contracts, meaning the jobs will be as long as the shifts are. Therefore, if you pick up a shift in a facility and don’t feel comfortable there, you can choose a job in another place for your next shift.

Furthermore, working as a PRN nurse allows you to create your schedule and decide when to take a break. With this kind of job, you can work in different settings. Plus, you can use PRN nursing jobs to make extra money in your free time or work as an independent contractor full-time.

The following list shows links to per diem jobs in different cities in Washington:

How Can I Become an RN in the Evergreen State?

Registered nurses in the Evergreen State are in great demand, so if you are thinking of becoming an RN, it is an excellent decision. There are certain steps you have to take to become a registered nurse. First, you have to choose how you will obtain your license. Candidates typically complete Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees or Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADNs). Nevertheless, you can also become a registered nurse through a Diploma in Nursing or an RN-to-MSN bridge program, among other pathways.

A BSN lasts four years and covers the different subjects in more depth than an ADN, which typically lasts two years. Furthermore, hospitals and other healthcare centers often prefer hiring RNs with BSNs, so this degree can help you obtain better positions and higher compensation. Ensure the State Board of Nursing accredits your chosen program.

After finishing your studies, you must take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) and complete all the other requirements of the Nursing Commission of the Washington State Department of Health.

Since the Evergreen State is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, there are two types of processes and fees. If you apply for a single-state license, you will only be able to practice in Washington state. However, if you apply for a multistate license, you can practice as an RN in the Evergreen State and the other 40 states that are part of the NLC.

You can look on the Washington State Board of Nursing website for the single-state and multistate RN nursing license fees and additional requirements.

After completing all of Washington’s requirements for licensing—whether you are an RN, a licensed practical nurse, or a nurse aide—you can use this license lookup tool to verify the status of your document in the State Department of Health registry.

If you are looking for RN programs in the state, the following list shows universities that offer some of the best programs in Washington:

University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Gonzaga University
University of Washington-Bothell Campus
Western Washington University
Seattle University
University of Washington-Tacoma Campus

Overview of Washington’s Registered Nurse Workforce

The Evergreen State’s registered nurse workforce has a median age of 46, and 12.65 percent of the state’s registered nurses are male. In addition, 89.03 percent of RNs have one job, 9.65 percent have two jobs, and 1.32 percent have three or more jobs.

Employment of RNs in Washington

Most registered nurses in Washington State are currently working. The following list shows the work status of registered nurses in the state.

Registered nurses employed in nursing: 93.19%
Registered nurses employed in other fields: 1.06%
Volunteer RNs: 0.71%
Unemployed RNs: 4.76%
Retired RNs: 0.28%

Washington’s Registered Nurses by Race and Ethnicity

Most registered nurses in the Evergreen State identify as White/Caucasian. However, many RNs in the state identify with other racial and ethnic groups as well. The following list shows a demographic breakdown by race and ethnicity in Washington state:

White/Caucasian: 80.34%
Asian:13%
Black/African American: 5.14%
American Indian: 1.64%
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: 1.12%
Other: 2.95%

Washington’s Registered Nurses by Level of Education

The following list shows the prevalence of different RN degrees in the state:

Diploma in Nursing: 3.01%
Master’s Degree in Nursing: 15.92%
Associate Degree in Nursing: 27.61%
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing: 51.60%

Furthermore, the percentage of nurses who only obtained one nursing degree in the Evergreen State is 71.8 percent.

How to Find Per Diem RN Jobs in Washington

You already know the benefits that come with per diem jobs. However, you still don’t know where to find them.

Nursa connects you to per diem RN jobs in different cities throughout Washington and in other states. This market platform helps you connect with various hospitals and other healthcare facilities looking for RNs in different settings and specialties. To learn more about unlocking opportunities, read our article about the ban on noncompetes.

It is essential to clarify that Nursa doesn’t hire nurses; instead, healthcare facilities contract clinicians for specific shifts. To gain access to Nursa, download the app, upload your credentials for verification, and apply for your chosen job. You can start working once the hospital or other facility you choose approves you for the per diem job. Start changing your life with Nursa by gaining access to this market and selecting your first per diem RN job.

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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