With a variety of scenes and activities to do many per diem (PRN) registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) enjoy picking up healthcare jobs in Phoenix.
Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona is an attractive city for nursing professionals. There are a variety of medical centers and facilities that often post openings for short-term and per diem shifts.
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Earn High Pay for PRN Healthcare Jobs in Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona is a bustling city with an ever-growing population, and it's no surprise that LPNs, RNs, and CNAs from around the country are drawn to the city for its many per diem job opportunities. With its hot climate, year-round sunshine, and plenty of outdoor activities, Phoenix is a dream destination for anyone looking to pick up per diem jobs.
The city has many hospitals, clinics, and care facilities that are always looking for talented nurses to join their staff. These facilities offer a variety of opportunities for nurses, from short-term assignments to long-term positions. The city also has a strong economy, making it a great place to live and work.
Phoenix is also home to many excellent educational institutions, including the University of Arizona College of Nursing, providing LPNs, RNs, and CNAs with the opportunity to pursue higher education and advance their careers. With its diverse population and thriving cultural scene, Phoenix is a great place for nurses to explore while picking up per diem jobs.
Why Clinicians Love Picking Up PRN Healthcare Jobs In Phoenix
Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states for business, and it's a great place to be if one is looking for competitive-paying healthcare jobs in Phoenix. In fact, Phoenix is home to more than 70 Fortune 500 Companies and boasts more than 4,400 businesses within its city limits. Additionally, the Greater Phoenix area has more than 1.6 million people, making it the 10th largest metropolitan area in the United States. Its low cost of living and diverse population attract individuals all over the country.
As a result of a bustling urban sprawl, Phoenix healthcare staffing jobs are expanding at a rapid pace. In fact, there are more opportunities for healthcare workers than ever before. That's why so many per diem (PRN), registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) enjoy picking up healthcare jobs in Phoenix.
Moreover, the rising cost of healthcare has an inflation impact on hospital and healthcare facilities’ expenses. Consequently, as these costs continue to rise across Arizona, staffing agencies are beginning to charge even more for their services. The result is that several local employers are turning to contract workers, also known as PRN or per diem which translates in Latin to “as needed” or even “for the day” to fill short-term staffing needs where required. That being said, PRN positions are a good choice for healthcare workers who don't want to work full-time or permanent jobs.
Is There a Nursing Shortage?
The number of jobs for per diem healthcare workers in the Phoenix area is steadily growing at an alarming rate. Recent statistics put the state of Arizona in the top 10 states with the largest population in need of health care services. These statistics are not surprising, considering that Arizona's population is expected to increase by more than 15 percent over the next decade. Furthermore, our nation has already been fighting this nursing shortage for decades.
In any case, if a healthcare worker is looking for a high-paying and flexible job - Phoenix is the place to be. The demand for healthcare professionals is high here in Phoenix, and it's not just for RNs. LPNs, and CNAs - but also for allied healthcare workers such as physical therapists (PTs), occupational therapists (OTs), speech-language pathologists (SLPs) - and all make competitive wages when picking up per diem jobs by the shift.
Furthermore, Phoenix has many PRN healthcare jobs because it has an active medical community and a large retirement community. This means that many people are moving here from out of state who need healthcare and that there are plenty of retirees who need home health, assisted living centers, and skilled nursing facilities.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services' website, more than 2 million people are on Medicaid in Arizona. Of those 2 million people, 1.1 million are children, and 790,000 are adults. This comes out to 53 percent of the total population on Medicaid. Subsequently, an abundance of PRN healthcare staffing jobs is up for grabs in the Greater Phoenix area alone.
Perks of PRN Healthcare Jobs in Phoenix
Consider this: as a PRN or per diem nurse, nursing assistant, or another allied healthcare professional, you can choose your assignments based on your schedule, interests, and needs. Furthermore, one of the best perks about PRN nursing jobs is you don't have to worry about long-term obligations or lease agreements. So, if you're looking for a more permanent employment option, picking up per diem jobs is a great way to get your feet wet, earn substantial hourly pay, and feel out nearby hospitals and healthcare facilities.
Many healthcare professionals enjoy the benefits of working PRN, such as having multiple options for deciding where they want to work and how much they want to work. Straight up - the flexibility and high hourly pay rates are two of the major perks that come with picking up per diem healthcare jobs in Phoenix.
Healthcare Spending and Inflation in Arizona
The healthcare labor market is unique because there is a heavy reliance on staffing companies to provide much of their workers. Saying that, in most states, almost all full-time staff nurses are employed directly by hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other various healthcare settings. As a result of spending and the inflation of healthcare costs, hospitals are pressed for money and these trends show no signs of slowing down.
On the flip side, the healthcare industry is witnessing progressive change for the better. One fundamental change is that more healthcare professionals are picking up jobs by the shift in places, such as Phoenix, Arizona - where the demand is high.
So how exactly does inflation affect healthcare costs? First, there are seasonal trends in healthcare staffing; facilities typically see increased demand for their workforce during flu season and other traditionally busy times.
Second, healthcare staffing is an investment in human capital. Every dollar spent on hiring new clinicians is meant to save money down the road by making sure patients get good care by properly trained individuals with appropriate credentials. It can be very frustrating for administrators to hire new staff and invest in the cost of onboarding, only to have them quit, sometimes after a short period of time. Because, ultimately, no business wants to pay more than they have to. In the end, medical businesses will strive to minimize their costs while maximizing quality services provided at a reduced expense structure.
What is Healthcare Staffing?
Healthcare staffing refers to the workers who provide patient-care services. Additionally, healthcare pricing refers to all patient care services offered or rendered by a healthcare facility such as hospitals, surgical centers, primary care clinics, physician offices, etc. Therefore, healthcare inflation affects everything else within healthcare, and it similarly impacts both healthcare staffing costs.
How Can Facilities Reduce Healthcare Costs?
Staffing expenses remain an ongoing challenge to facilities trying to reduce healthcare costs. However, some measures can be taken to improve recruitment success for these positions.
First and foremost, healthcare institutions should work with contract employees thoughtfully rather than in a last-minute manner. Facilities have found success when they use real-time data to plan their needs over periods as short as two weeks, rather than making staffing decisions day-to-day based on immediate need alone.
In addition, in order to lower healthcare staffing costs, institutions should strive for a lower employee turnover rate. For example, if a hospital wants to hire registered nurses, it's best to try job boards, nursing apps, agency relationships, direct hire, or both instead of just one sourcing technique.
Healthcare providers should also develop clear expectations regarding schedules and hours. Having those details worked out in advance will help keep potential candidates interested. Finally, healthcare providers must continually seek feedback from staff members to address issues and concerns as they arise. These are some reasons why administrators and managers prefer using our healthcare staffing app to find local professionals, rather than paying more money to agencies, and hiring, etc.
There is Still a Large Market for PRN and Per Diem Nurses
Because healthcare staffing costs have increased year-over-year, there is a large market for PRN and per diem RNs, LPNs, CNAs, and allied health workers in Phoenix. By using a staffing app, such as Nursa, much of the inflated costs associated with agencies are eliminated. With a low unemployment rate and high demand for medical workers, Phoenix is a great place to be and a great place to live.
Medical excellence. Expansion. Innovation. All three call for registered nurses (RNs) in Phoenix, a metropolitan area known as the Valley and the largest metro in the Southwestern United States.
In the 2020 census, this metropolitan area had 4,845,832 residents, having grown by 652,945 people from April 2010 to April 2020, one of the fastest-growing metros in the country, home to just over two-thirds of Arizona’s entire population. Continue reading to find out more about RN nursing jobs in Phoenix, Arizona.
Employment and salary data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; population data is from the United States Census Bureau.
How Many Active RNs Are There in Phoenix?
There are over 40,240 dedicated RNs serving the Phoenix metropolitan area alone, representing a remarkable 71.81 percent of the state’s total workforce of 56,040 RNs. Their unwavering commitment to patient well-being and dedication to quality care are truly inspiring, making Phoenix a thriving haven for medical excellence.
What’s the Average RN Salary in Phoenix?
The strong job market in the Phoenix metro area offers rewarding opportunities for registered nurses, with an average RN wage of $87,410 annually, translating to a comfortable $42.03 hourly. This pay typically ranges from under $66,630 up to over $105,580 in the following percentiles:
- 10th percentile: $66,630
- 25th percentile: $78,280
- 50th percentile: $82,260
- 75th percentile: $100,250
- 90th percentile: $105,580
The percentiles indicate the percentage of nurses earning up to the given amounts. In other words, the lowest 10 percent of RNs earn less than $66,630 annually, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $105,580 annually.
These figures provide a valuable starting point for nurses considering their career options, although PRN nursing jobs in Phoenix generally pay a much higher hourly wage.
How Much Do Nurses Make in Phoenix?
Location makes a big difference in nursing pay. Arizona’s mean annual RN wage varies from $77,720 in Sierra Vista to $89,660 in Prescott. The table below shows the state’s highest-paying areas and how many nurses work in each.
Areas, Mean Annual RN Wages, Number of Actively Employed RNs
Growth of Healthcare in Phoenix
Data from the United States Census Bureau reveals a positive trend in the growth of healthcare practitioners in Phoenix, far outpacing the population growth over the past decade. The general population of Phoenix grew at an annual average of 1.04 percent in the last decade, significantly higher than the national average of 0.72 percent.
However, the number of healthcare practitioners—including RNs—tripled that rate, with an average growth of 3.2 percent in Phoenix and 2.9 percent nationally.
This increase suggests a promising outlook for the city’s healthcare system, including better access to care and specialized services. This rise in the number of clinicians correlates with the expansion of healthcare facilities.
Avant-Garde Hospitals, Innovations, and Development
The expansion of hospitals in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as investment in technology and innovation, provide job openings for RNs and other nurses. Some of the outstanding developments and award-winning institutions include the following:
- Valleywise Health will open a new 673,000-square-foot, 10-story hospital in April 2024. The new site will house a 75,000-square-foot burn center and specialties, including cardiology, trauma and emergency, maternity, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), oncology, pharmacy, radiology, and more.
- Phoenix Children’s Hospital is building a new NICU with a 44,000-square-foot area, providing specialized care for high-risk pregnancies. It will open in 2024 at the Thomas Campus. The health system is also developing a Level IIIB NICU at Phoenix Children’s Hospital - East Valley in Gilbert.
- HonorHealth John C. Lincoln Medical Center won Magnet status in 2023 for the fifth time, a recognition of nursing excellence.
Within the Phoenix metro, at least two more large healthcare organizations are expanding their facilities.
- Banner Health opened a new 6-story, 200-bed tower at Banner Estrella Medical Center in December 2022, expanding access to specialty care in the southwest Valley.
In addition, the Banner Scottsdale Medical Center is expected to open in 2026 with 106 beds and space for expansion, employ 1,000 people over the next five years, and provide over 2,500 jobs when fully developed.
Furthermore, Banner Health Phoenix, with 30 hospitals, ranks on Becker’s Hospital Review list of the largest health systems in 2023.
- HonorHealth broke ground on the Scottsdale Shea Medical Center expansion project in May 2023. The project includes a new state-of-the-art Cardiovascular Center of Excellence. The project will be complete in 2025, featuring 400 beds, advanced technology, and a focus on patient-centered care.
These are just a few examples of significant healthcare expansion and excellence underway or achieved in Phoenix in recent years. This growth trend creates many registered nursing jobs, highlights the city’s commitment to providing high-quality healthcare services to its residents, and solidifies its position as a leading healthcare hub in the region.
What Kind of Work Can I Find in Phoenix?
The most common settings for RNs in Arizona are the following:
- Hospitals: Fifty-six percent of Arizona’s 56,040 nurses work in hospitals, with a relatively high mean wage of $42.44 an hour or $88,290 annually.
- Physician’s Offices: Seven percent of RNs in Arizona work at private physician practices and earn an average wage of $37.38 per hour or $77,770 per year, 12 percent less than hospital nurses earn in this state.
- Home Health Care: Six percent of Arizona’s RN workforce is in the home healthcare sector, averaging $38.85 an hour or $80,810 annually. Home health care is booming, especially since the population over 65 grew by nearly 50 percent between 2010 and 2020. Projections indicate that by 2026, 41,000 new jobs will open in Arizona’s home healthcare sector.
- Nursing Care Facilities: Arizona has over 2,000 nursing care and assisted living facilities, which employ 4 percent of the Grand Canyon State’s nursing workforce.
Hospital jobs for registered nurses cover a broad variety of specialties and units, including operating room (OR) jobs—caring for patients before, during, and after surgery, and emergency room (ER) jobs—assessing emergency patients, developing diagnoses, and recommending courses of treatment, often providing life-saving care.
Which Are the Major Cities in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area?
Identified as the Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale metropolitan area by the United States Census Bureau, this metro serves 24 municipalities and two counties. The cities in the table below are mainly within a half-hour drive from Phoenix, so you might be interested in jobs in these locations as well.
Cities, Distance from Phoenix City, Population
How Can I Find RN Jobs near Me?
RNs, as well as certified nursing assistants (CNAs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs), can use Nursa to easily find high-paying per diem jobs near home in Phoenix, Arizona. Browse PRN nursing jobs, request the ones you’re interested in, and show up to work your shifts. It really is just that simple.
Additional Sources:
- Becker’s Hospital Review: 100 of the largest hospitals and health systems in America | 2023
- Arizona Technology Council: Banner Health to build $400M hospital campus in Scottsdale
- Arizona’s Economy Economic and Business Research Center: Arizona Is Getting Older…But so Is the U.S.
- Valleywise Health: New Hospital Fact Sheet
- Phoenix Children’s Building New 44,000-Square Foot Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
- NursingProcess.Org: Registered Nurse Salary in Arizona + Job Outlook – 2023
Jobs By City in this State
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