Nursing Jobs in Indianapolis: Is Indy the Right City for You? 

The Covid-19 pandemic has hit everyone hard, but probably no one as much as healthcare workers. Add to the inherent vulnerability of working in a hospital setting, the unemployment brought on by the pandemic, and – in many cases – little ones at home to care for and support financially, and you are living with some serious uncertainty and stress. 

In this situation, something that can give you significant peace of mind is the certainty of having available work and the flexibility to be free when your family needs you. What we are talking about is pro re nata (PRN) work, in other words being able to work as the need arises. After years – maybe even decades – of being forced into accepting inconvenient shifts, this concept might come as a complete surprise, and you might even be a little skeptical. However, PRN work, also known as per diem work, is alive and thriving. If you are a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) living in Indianapolis – or willing to move to Indianapolis – there is more than enough work for you, and through our per diem staffing app you can work where you want, when you want, and as much as you want.

Is Indianapolis a Good City for Families? 

If you are no longer on your own but have a family to bring along with you, you will be wondering whether Indianapolis would be a good place for each member of your family. No doubt, you will be glad to know that – with one fourth of its population under the age of 18 – Indy is certainly a kid-friendly city. In fact, Indianapolis is home to the largest children’s museum in the world. If your kids are giving you a hard time about moving, you can bribe them with a promise to visit the museum’s many attractions, including a Cretaceous dinosaur habitat, a carousel, and a steam locomotive.

Furthermore, older members of the family might be persuaded by the city’s most famous attraction: the Indianapolis 500. The Indy 500, the world's largest single-day sporting event, is an annual automobile race which takes place at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in Speedway, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis. This event is usually held over Memorial Day weekend, so if it’s going to be a bargaining chip with your significant other, consider planning your move before the end of May.

What Is the Average Salary for a Nurse in Indianapolis? 

If you are considering moving to Indianapolis, of course the most important consideration will be the available nursing jobs as well as the average salary that you can expect to earn. Worry not; we will give you all the information you need to know to make this important life decision.

LPN jobs in Indianapolis 

According to the U.S. Labor Bureau, the average national annual wage earned by Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) is $48,820. In Indianapolis, the average annual wage is just slightly lower at $48,650. However, salary should not be your only consideration. You must also consider the likelihood of landing jobs, and if you are an LPN in Indianapolis, the odds are in your favor since the location quotient for LPNs in Indianapolis is 0.96. Don’t know what this means? We’ll break it down for you.   

In short, and in what pertains to our discussion of available nursing jobs, location quotient refers to the balance between the demand for nursing jobs and the supply of said jobs. If a city has a location quotient of one, then the supply and demand are perfectly equal. Anything above one means that there is more demand for jobs than there are jobs available. On the other hand, anything below one means that there are not enough nurses to satisfy the demand for them, which – for someone looking for a job – is a very good thing. 

CNA jobs in Indianapolis

In the case of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), the average salary that CNAs can aspire to nationwide is $32,050 annually. Once again, the average annual salary in Indianapolis is a little below the national average at $30,590 annually. However, the location quotient for CNAs is even juicier at 0.90. This means that you are practically guaranteed a job. 

RN jobs in Indianapolis 

Unfortunately, although the highest paying nursing jobs in Indianapolis are reserved for Registered Nurses (RNs) – with an annual average salary of $70,640 – the location quotient for RNs in Indianapolis is 1.20, which means the market is already pretty saturated.  

Are There New-Grad RN Jobs in Indianapolis?

If you are a recently graduated RN in Indianapolis, do not despair. There are still jobs available to you. One of the options you should consider is per diem work in Indiana. Per diem comes from Latin and literally means “per day”. In other words, per diem work implies potentially working at different healthcare facilities and picking up as many shifts as you like whenever you want to. As a new grad RN, this type of work is perfect because it will allow you to identify the type of work you enjoy doing and even the healthcare facilities in your city that you enjoy working at, which will both ultimately help you figure out which would be your ideal job.  

How to Find Per Diem Jobs?

Whether you are an LPN, CNA, or RN looking for nursing jobs in Indianapolis, you should give per diem work a try. This type of work will allow you to make as much money as you need while maintaining flexibility in your work schedule and the ability to choose work you enjoy. OK, we’ve kept you waiting long enough; we know you are eager to get started with per diem work, and you can get started today! Nursa™ is a per diem staffing app that will quickly and easily allow you to find the best healthcare jobs in Indianapolis. Browse our website and find a job today!