Nursing Jobs in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Albuquerque sits in the high desert of New Mexico at 5,314 feet, making it the highest metropolitan city in the U.S. Two of its educational institutions, the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Central New Mexico Community College, are known for their medical programs.

At UNM, bachelor’s degrees are available in emergency medical services, international mountain medicine, radiological sciences, and nuclear medicine. Its nursing program offers BSN degrees that include online learning. Central New Mexico Community College is also known for its school of nursing and patient support. Programs in the school include medical assistant, nursing, nursing assistant, and patient care technician.

Here are more facts about the city to help you prepare for nursing jobs in Albuquerque.

Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Albuquerque

• Is New Mexico a compact state? Yes
• What do RNs earn in Albuquerque? The average annual salary for RN jobs in Albuquerque is $87,240, below the national average RN salary of $89,010.
• Where can I find information about RN license requirements in New Mexico? You can visit the New Mexico Board of Nursing website for up-to-date information.

What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Albuquerque

Albuquerque is a growing city with a metro area population of more than 900,000. This represents a steady growth of 1% to 2% each year. The city combines the Southwest feel of the Pueblos with the progressive culture of a college town.

Albuquerque’s nursing facilities give you the opportunity to work full time, part time, on contract, temporarily, or even per diem. Hospitals, doctors’ offices, nursing homes, and skilled nursing facilities are looking for qualified RNs, CNAs, and LPNs — and that’s where you come in.

An overview of your potential patient base shows the median age in Albuquerque is 36, with 44.7% married households, 14% divorced, 28% married with children, and nearly 23% who are single and have children. Almost 16% are 65 years or older, and 10% are younger than 65 with a disability.

With Albuquerque’s diverse cultural makeup, you can attract hiring managers’ attention by ensuring your skill set includes cultural competency before you apply to nurse jobs. The area’s Black population is 3.2%, 49.8% are Hispanic, 4.8% are Native American and Alaska Native, and 3% are Asian. More than 14% represent two or more ethnicities.

Working in Albuquerque

Together, Albuquerque healthcare practitioners and healthcare support employees number nearly 50,000. The city is New Mexico’s center of healthcare, with more than 1,900 beds. The University of New Mexico Cancer Center and Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute have focused on Albuquerque’s commitment to prevention, treatment, and biomedical research in these two areas.

There are nine major hospitals in Albuquerque, including a VA hospital and five facilities from the Lovelace Hospital group. In terms of number of beds, the largest hospitals in New Mexico (the top three in Albuquerque) are:

1. University of New Mexico Hospitals
2. Presbyterian Hospital
3. Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center
4. Christus St. Vincent
5. San Juan Regional Medical Center

Hospitals are not the only sources of nursing jobs in Albuquerque. The New Mexico Department of Health has facilities in Bernalillo County, where Albuquerque is located. These include clinics for epidemiology, family planning, immunizations, sexually transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, and one for women, infants, and children.

The state runs two treatment and long-term care facilities. There are 43 skilled nursing facilities in Albuquerque.

Once you’ve started applying for nursing jobs in Albuquerque, it’s time to see what it might be like to work and live in the city. If you’re like most workers, you can plan on an average commute time of 21.3 minutes. You might be able to meet up with some of the 9% who carpool, but you may be driving to work by yourself, as nearly 80% do. Only 2% take mass transit, and 4.3% work from home.

If you anticipate the need for childcare in Albuquerque, the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department maintains a database of providers, along with information about free childcare services.

Don’t forget to make arrangements for your pets if they need care during the day. Albuquerque has many private pet sitters, along with doggie daycare providers.

Living in Albuquerque

There are 11 neighborhoods within Albuquerque proper, plus many more in surrounding areas. If you like a mix of history and culture, Historic Old Town is where it all started in 1706. Today it’s the cultural district of the city. Nob Hill is the place to be if you like an eclectic vibe, with your choice of places to dine and dance. One area is named after Albuquerque’s signature event of the year: Balloon Fiesta Park is centered around the field where balloons take off. The International Balloon Museum is nearby, as are hotels and chain restaurants.

You’ll need to do some homework before eating in an Albuquerque restaurant. When they ask you if you prefer red or green, you’ll need to decide quickly which pepper you want. Once that’s settled, you can proceed with some of the area’s signature dishes like breakfast burritos, enchiladas, and bizcochito cookies.

Beyond the museum devoted to hot air balloons, there are other museums centered on such diverse topics as natural history and science, rattlesnakes, and even turquoise.

Getting in and out of Albuquerque will likely be via the ABQ International Sunport. Along with being the way to travel to and from the city, it also has a world-class art collection. With more than 400 flights a day to 20 destinations, you can go just about anywhere you want. When you fly in, it’s a quick 12-minute drive to downtown Albuquerque. A taxi from the airport to downtown will cost you $20.

When you start to know your way around Albuquerque, it might be time for some day trips. Santa Fe is a popular destination that’s about an hour’s drive. You’ll see terra cotta buildings that have been standing since the 17th century.

What about the heat in Albuquerque? You’ll encounter that, of course. But did you know that although winters are short, they can be freezing? Invite the family to visit during the most pleasant time of the year, from May to late September.

You’ll be happy to know that Albuquerque’s cost of living is 6.9% lower than the national average. The median home price is around $308,000. A rental costs an average of $1,281 compared to the national monthly average of $1,870.

Find Great Nursing Jobs in Albuquerque on IntelyCare

Looking for RN, LPN, and CNA jobs? We can help. Start your IntelyCare application today, and build a flexible schedule that works for you.