Nurses provide some of the most essential care all over the country. In hospitals, at urgent care facilities, in retirement communities, and at other health service providers, nurses are a vital component of the whole healthcare industry nationwide. Thinking of going back to school to become a registered nurse? Consider beginning your RN career in Indianapolis!

Nearly 3 million nurses are employed in the United States, according to May 2017 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). RNs have a national average salary of $73,550 (or a mean hourly wage of $35.36). The job outlook for RNs is very good, with projected growth of 15% over the next ten years. That’s much faster than the average growth estimated for all occupations, due mostly to longer average (and more active) lifespans and increasing rates of chronic health conditions across the population.

The Indianapolis metropolitan area (including Indianapolis, Carmel, and Anderson, Indiana) employs more than 25 registered nurses per every 1,000 jobs in the area. The mean wage for Indy RNs is $32.06 per hour and $66,690 annually. Those rates are higher than the mean wages for the state of Indiana, at $30.02 per hour and $62,450 annually for registered nurses.

RNs often work in a team environment, providing patient care support through assessment, administration of medication, recordkeeping, patient education, performing tests, and more. They frequently work in fast-paced or high-stress surroundings, and they may often work very long or overnight shifts to ensure high-quality, 24-hour care for their patients 365 days out of the year.

Nurses may provide generalized care, or they might find a specialty to focus on—such as oncology, pediatric care, or urgent care—depending on their interests, skill sets, past experience, and available employment opportunities in their area.

Registered nurses typically earn a bachelor’s degree before seeking their RN licensure, but some obtain a license and begin working with a two-year associate degree or even a diploma. If you are considering continuing your education to prepare for licensure and become a nurse, we want to make sure you have the highest chance of finding success in a new nursing career.

Ready to look for a nursing career training program? The Imagine America Foundation has a great network of partner institutions, in Indianapolis as well as across the country. Search our schools by program and by location!