PRN Nursing Jobs in Indiana Ultimate Guide [2024]

Indiana offers a wide range of opportunities for nursing professionals and aspiring nurses. Discover average nursing salaries, cost of living, top hospitals and other medical centers, and more in this ultimate guide to nursing jobs in Indiana.

Are you looking for nursing jobs in Indiana? Discover hidden gems throughout the state, including numerous opportunities to find RN, LPN, and CNA jobs.

Registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and certified nursing assistant (CNA) salary information in this guide comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the cost of living information is from the MIT Living Wage Calculator (most recent data as of February 2024).

The following table shows the mean wage per license in the different metropolitan areas in Indiana:

Nurses and nursing assistants can find high-paying PRN nursing jobs in Indiana through Nursa, a digital healthcare market that allows nurses to find jobs efficiently. Keep reading for an overview of what Indiana offers nursing professionals: average wages, cost of living, and nursing programs. Also, learn more about the advantages of PRN jobs. 

How Much Do Nurses in Indiana Make?

The following chart shows Indiana’s mean annual and hourly wages for different nursing licenses.

Knowing how much the mean wage is in Indiana gives you an idea of what to expect when looking for jobs. However, knowing Indiana’s overall cost of living is essential to see if you can make enough to cover basic expenses.  

To cover basic expenses in Indiana, a single adult will need $20.44 per hour working full-time. However, if two adults work in a household, each must make $14.38 per hour. This average hourly wage doesn’t consider any dependents.

The amount you can make as a nurse or nursing assistant depends on many factors, like your nursing specialty, work setting, and work model, such as choosing PRN nursing jobs that can pay more per hour than a full-time job.

Which Are Some of the Best Nursing Schools in Indiana?

Whether you want to become a nurse or expand your knowledge in the nursing field, here you can find some of the best colleges offering nursing programs in Indiana:

• Purdue University, West Lafayette: Offering students the opportunity to experience real-life situations with state-of-the-art simulators and learn from awarded faculty, this university offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and a 16-month second-degree BSN.
• Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI): Boasting Indiana’s largest campus and nursing student body, IUPUI has a four-year traditional BSN, a four-semester accelerated BSN, and a twelve-month, full-time RN-to-BSN program.
• University of Southern Indiana, Evansville: With nursing students from 28 states and six countries, this university has a four-year BSN and a fourteen-month online RN-to-BSN program.
• Indiana University, Kokomo: This school offers a four-year traditional BSN program, a hybrid and online RN-to-BSN program that lasts one to two years, and a four-semester BSN second degree. Furthermore, the nursing programs have small groups so that you can interact directly with the faculty and your classmates.
• University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne: With access to high-fidelity infant, child, and adult patient simulators, you will have the theory and practice you need to excel professionally. This university has a traditional four-year BSN.

It is essential to check whether an institution like the Indiana Board of Nursing or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredits the program that interests you.

Once you complete all your program requirements, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). The Indiana State Board of Nursing determines your eligibility for a nursing license based on your NCLEX results and other factors.  

If you are already a nurse in Indiana, you can look up the status of your nursing license through the Indiana State Board of Nursing’s tool for RN license verification.

Some of the Best Hospitals and Medical Centers in Indiana

Indiana has excellent hospitals throughout the state. Therefore, nurses and nursing assistants can improve their knowledge and have diverse job opportunities. The following list shows some of the best hospitals and medical centers in Indiana:

• Indiana University Health Medical Center: Working alongside the Indiana University School of Medicine, this center has the largest physician network in Indiana. Furthermore, it is at the vanguard of medical treatments and medicine. Locations are in Frankfort, Indianapolis, Lafayette, and 14 other places in the state.
• Community Hospital East: Part of a non-profit health system ranked among the most integrated nationwide, Community Hospital East opened its doors in 2020 with a brand-new emergency department, surgery unit, level three neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and many more features to give excellent service to the community. 

The hospital is in Indianapolis. However, different facilities are part of the health system, such as Medcheck in Greenwood and Heart and Vascular Services in the community hospital in Anderson.

• Deaconess Midtown Hospital: This is a general medical and surgical facility. The U.S. News & World Report has ranked this hospital among the top healthcare facilities in Indiana, with a high-performance ranking in different procedures.
• Ascension St. Vincent’s Foundation: This foundation is a Catholic not-for-profit organization with an extensive healthcare system. The Ascension St. Vincent Hospital, which belongs to this system, has ranked among the top hospitals in Indiana. 
• Community Hospital, Munster: Located in Munster, this facility is among the top-ranked hospitals in Indiana, and it is also highly rated by the U.S. News & World Report in many procedures. 

Working as a Specialized Nurse in Indiana

Indiana boasts an excellent and extensive healthcare system where nurses who are looking for jobs in the emergency room (ER), intensive care unit (ICU), or medical-surgical (Med/Surg) unit have different opportunities to grow and contribute with their experience.  

Health Insurance in Indiana 

Healthcare insurance is necessary to protect you and your family in any health emergency or need you may have. Nurses and nursing assistants know the importance of being covered by insurance. You may have health insurance coverage through your job if you are an employee. However, contractors or other independent workers must obtain their own insurance. Many private plans are in the market; nevertheless, if you think you may be eligible, you can contact the Indiana Department of Insurance, which has the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for Medicare recipients. 

Some of the Cheapest Cities in Indiana

Indiana has many great places to live, including New Castle, Auburn, Crown Point, and Granger. Nevertheless, some of them, like Carmel or Morgantown, are more expensive than others, like Yorktown or Merrillville. If you want to start working in Indiana or are considering a move within the state and still don’t know which are some of the cheapest cities in the state to settle down or live in for some time, the following list shows some of the most affordable cities:

• Connersville: This city is in Fayette County, about 70 miles from Indianapolis. The city is among the oldest towns in Indiana and is a manufacturing, agricultural, and healthcare center. 
• Richmond: A city rich in history that became the cradle of recorded jazz, it has affordable housing, is located on the border with Ohio, and is an excellent place to live in the state overall.
• Terre Haute: East of the Illinois border, this city is within driving distance of seven major cities like Indianapolis and Evansville. Its affordable housing makes this city a great place to settle down.
• Rushville: Located between Cincinnati and Indianapolis, this city lets you live and work in different towns. Besides having affordable housing, it has excellent schools for your family and beautiful parks where you can spend your leisure time.
• Muncie: This city is known for being affordable. It is 55 miles from Indianapolis, a manufacturing and agricultural center and regional transportation hub. 

Fun Things to Do in Indiana

The Hoosier State has plenty of activities and attractions, from historical places to beautiful parks. Indiana has something for everyone to do. 

• In Indianapolis, the White River State Park has seven world-class attractions and a vast area with trails and open green space. It offers numerous experiences and the opportunity to step out of your routine and recharge in nature.
• In Hobart, enjoy the experience of kayaking around the Tasman Peninsula, being impressed with Hobart’s waterfront, and learning the harbor’s history.
• In Syracuse, you can enjoy a boat tour to Ortigia Island and contemplate the beauty of the sea caves.
• Seymour is a city with different activities, like enjoying wildlife or having fun with friends on a beautiful golf course. In addition, Seymour is the home of the Southern Indiana Center for the Arts, where you can enjoy concerts or different exhibitions.
• Bedford has the Bluespring Caverns, the longest navigable underground river in the country. This river boasts a great diversity of unique species.
• If you like to watch races, Pierceton offers amateur motocross racing to enjoy with your family while you eat delicious local food.
• If you enjoy nature but want all the comfort of being in a beautiful inn, Spencer’s Canyon Inn at McCormick’s Creek State Park is a perfect stop for you and your family.
• If you like kayaking or canoeing, explore the waters at Rustic River Outfitters in Warren. After exploring, you can close the experience with a delicious ice cream on the premises.
• Saint Paul is the perfect place for adventurous people. The White Rock Park is ideal for enjoying a zip line or a rope swing.
• Coody Brown’s Lakeside Grill in Wolcottville promises a good time with delicious food and a nice view. 
• If you want to enjoy a good wine in a beautiful place, dazzle your senses at Lawrenceburg’s At The Barn Winery.

How to Find Per Diem Jobs in Indiana

Indiana has a fascinating history, beautiful parks, and a growing population for whom nurses and nursing assistants work with great effort and sacrifice to keep Indana’s residents safe and healthy. 

Are you looking for RN, LPN, or CNA jobs in Indiana and want to know which option is best? Nursa connects clinicians and healthcare facilities through per diem jobs that offer nurses higher hourly wages and more flexibility in their professional lives.

With Nursa, you can find per diem jobs in different cities in the Hoosier state, like Princeton, North Manchester, and Bicknell. 

Nursa is a digital marketplace where hospitals and other healthcare facilities can post jobs, and nurses and nursing assistants can find per diem shifts. Within a few minutes, you can download the app, complete the requirements, and pick up a shift with Nursa in Indiana today.

Sources:

• U.S. News & World Report: Best Hospitals in Indiana
• Newsweek90: America's Best-In-State Hospitals 2024
• Indiana Professional Licensing Agency: Nursing Board