Explore Life as a Nurse in the Grand Canyon State 

Is it time for a change? Are you searching for a better salary, flexible schedule, career advancement opportunities, or better work-life balance? Have you considered working in the Grand Canyon State?

Essential Facts Nurses Should Know About Working in Arizona

Opportunities 

Nurses are in high demand (Snapshot report), It is projected between 2020 and 2030, the need for nurses is expected to grow by 9%. 

Over the past 12 months, over 64,000 (Snapshot report) jobs for nurses were posted online. Hospital jobs in medical and surgical areas accounted for about half (Snapshot report) of available nursing jobs. Opportunities are available in Emergency and Trauma, Intensive Care, Oncology, Labor and Delivery, Radiology, and many other specialty areas. Numerous job openings are also available in areas such as Primary Care, Home Health, and Case Management. 

Registered Nurses in Arizona average an hourly wage of $35.95 to $45 (Lightcast), with an annual median income of $77,600. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this matches the median annual pay in 2021 for nurses nationwide. 

Flexible Licensing

Arizona is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, allowing Registered Nurses to practice in states that are part of the agreement without obtaining additional licensing. 

Progressive State for Nurse Practitioners 

Arizona Nurse Practitioners are valued healthcare providers. They can practice independently in their area of certification and have full prescriptive authority. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 45% increase in demand for Nurse Practitioners by the year 2030.  

Education

If you have ever considered advancing your nursing education, there are more than 30 nursing programs in Arizona. Many locations are available throughout the state, whether pursuing a Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate degree. Some employers even offer tuition assistance as a benefit to full-time employees.  

Work-Life Balance

There’s more to life than just work; recharging and rejuvenating are essential, and Arizona has plenty of opportunities for those. Rated the sunniest state in the United States, Arizona offers ample opportunities to relax and enjoy the rich history and culture, iconic views, stunning monuments, and national parks. 

Professional Nursing Organizations

The Arizona American Nurses Association is the largest and oldest professional nursing organization in the state and has over 3,700 members. Ten other nursing professional organizations, such as the Arizona Emergency Nurses Association, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, and the Black Nurses Association of the Greater Phoenix Area, have state chapters in Arizona. These organizations support nursing advancement, education, advocacy, and networking. 

Fun Facts

• In 1968 Arizona, excluding the Navajo Nation, stopped observing daylight savings time and stayed on Mountain Standard Time year-round. Nurses in Arizona benefit from not having to disrupt their circadian rhythm twice a year.

• The Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing, a philanthropic part of the Arizona Nurses Association, strives to strengthen nurses’ mental well-being by offering biweekly supportive text messages to help support nurse resilience. 

How Can EARN Help Me?

EARN is a specialized pre-employment recruiting firm that values your time and helps streamline and expedite the hiring process for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners seeking full-time permanent positions.

Over the past 12 months, 2,712 employers in Arizona posted over 65,000 jobs for nurses. It can be cumbersome and frustrating to search through thousands of postings on job boards, apps, and websites, rewrite your resume and fill out countless applications. EARN simplifies this process by using Registered Nurses to identify your strengths to find jobs that align with your needs and goals. 

Why Should I Use EARN?

• The service is 100% free

• EARN works with an extensive network of reputable companies

• There is no pressure

• It is less stressful 

• The process is transparent with clear communication

How Do I Get Started?

The first step is to schedule a 15-minute virtual evaluation with an EARN nurse to discuss your strengths, interests, and goals. The EARN team fast-tracks the process and will identify positions that would be a good fit for you. Let EARN help you find the best match for your next full-time job. 

Biography: Natalie Evenson MSN, BSN, RN is a health content writer. She has 24 years of experience in various areas including Trauma, Neuro, Orthopedics, Critical Care, Emergency, and Perioperative nursing. She also works as an Adult and Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. When Natalie is not working, you can find her gardening and taking care of her animals on her mini farm.