Overview: Nursing Jobs in Lake Charles, LA
Settled on its namesake lake and the Calcasieu River, Lake Charles, LA, lies just 30 miles north of the Gulf and near the Texas border. Its cultural influences blend the best offerings of both the Bayou and Lone Star States, creating a unique atmosphere that self-identifies as a “little black dress paired with flip-flops.” This combination perfectly sums up the limitless opportunities in Lake Charles for cosmopolitan city life or laid-back country living.
If you’re searching for nursing jobs in Lake Charles, LA, we’d love to help. We’re ready to match you with opportunities for local per diem, temporary, contract, part-time, and full-time employment. Use this guide to explore more of what it’s like to live and work in the place lovingly referred to as Louisiana’s playground.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Lake Charles, LA
- Is Louisiana a compact state? Yes, Louisiana participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact. For more information, refer to our helpful overview of the Louisiana Nurse Practice Act.
- How much do nurses earn in Lake Charles? Here’s an annual breakdown of the average area nurse salaries for various positions:
- NP salary: $128,220
- RN salary: $84,950
- LPN salary: $53,890
- CNA salary: $30,600
- Where can I find information about nurse license requirements in Lake Charles, LA? Visit the Louisiana State Board of Nursing for up-to-date licensing and regulatory information. If your license is nearing expiration, check out this article on LA nursing license renewals.
- Where can I search for nursing jobs nearby Lake Charles, LA? Expand your search and opportunities by taking a look at these nearby locations:
- Nursing jobs in Cameron, LA
- Nursing jobs in Dequincy, LA
- Nursing jobs in Jennings, LA
- Nursing jobs in Sulfur, LA
- Nursing jobs in Vinton, LA
- Nursing jobs in Westlake, LA
What to Know When Seeking Nursing Jobs in Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles — with nearly 85,000 residents — is not only known for keeping Creole and Cajun traditions alive, but also for supporting other ethnic influences and celebrating new cultural perspectives. The city’s inviting and inclusive atmosphere contributes to making it home for people from many walks of life.
Some of its new perspectives may come from its residents who were born abroad. The three countries that contribute most to Lake Charles’s global diversity are Honduras, Mexico, and Vietnam. Almost 9% of residents speak a language other than English at home. If you are bilingual (or polylingual) and have familiarity working with patients who speak English as a second language, it’s worth noting in your nursing resume.
Racial and ethnic demographics indicate that 47.3% of the population is White, 42.8% is Black or African American, 2.6% is of Asian descent, and 5.8% identifies as multiracial.
The median overall age in Lake Charles is 36.2 years, slightly lower than the national median age. With close to 20% of the adult population consisting of senior citizens, it’s also worth mentioning any expertise with geriatric populations.
If you’re ready to showcase your effective communication strategies with Lake Charles’s elderly patients, or to demonstrate your cultural competence among its international residents, you’re in the right place. Start your search for RN jobs in Lake Charles, LA, or other nursing positions by checking out current openings:
Working in Lake Charles, LA
Oil and gas production, food processing, entertainment, and healthcare are some of the major employers in Southern Louisiana. For those seeking healthcare work (like RN jobs), Lake Charles is a good spot to search. The city has openings across many settings, from outpatient clinics to hospitals with trauma capability.
In those many settings and throughout Louisiana, only 85% of the total need for nursing professionals is being met. With no end to this troubling statistic in sight, nursing jobs in Lake Charles, LA, and the rest of the Bayou State are readily available.
If your goal is to work in acute care settings — maybe within a new trauma level — there are plenty of local opportunities at medical facilities and hospitals, as well as with the State of Louisiana. Explore some of the current openings for acute nursing positions here:
If you prefer post-acute and long-term care nursing, find well-fitting roles with:
The average commute time from Lake Charles is 16.4 minutes. That’s significantly shorter than the U.S. average of 26.4 minutes and potentially explains why the majority of residents (almost 84%) choose to drive their own car to get wherever they need to go.
If childcare is a necessity while you’re working your fulfilling new nursing job in Lake Charles, LA, find peace of mind with any of the local, trusted daycares that are ready to help. The area also has plenty of experienced pet sitters who can ensure your family pet is well looked after while you’re working or travelling away from home.
Living in Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles lives up to its nickname: Louisiana's playground. The area is known for amenities like resort casinos with large swimming pools, expert-designed golf courses, salon and spa features, retail perks, and plenty of gaming opportunities. If you prefer a nightlife scene that doesn’t feature gambling, there’s many opportunities to listen to live music. Two-step the night away to some Cajun and zydeco bands.
At the northern edge of the city is Sam Houston Jones State Park. Here, you can enjoy more than 1,000 acres of natural landscape like tree-filled lagoons. Wildlife thrives in the park. Bird watchers can stay busy by looking out for the nearly 200 species that can be seen within the 30-mile radius of the park.
If history interests you, consider reserving a weekend to check out the historic sites and museums of Lake Charles. There’s the 1911 Historic City Hall Arts and Cultural Center, with exhibits on three floors, and the local Imperial Calcasieu Museum, where you can enjoy hands-on workshops like Mardi Gras mask-making.
Those masks will come in handy come springtime when the area gears up for Mardi Gras celebrations. Lake Charles hosts as many as 75 festivals in a given year, from the family-friendly Mardi Gras to Louisiana’s Pirate Festival. You don’t have to wait on those events for delicious food, though. Restaurants in Lake Charles offer a variety of dishes as vibrant as the city itself, taking care of you any day of the week whether you’re craving fresh Gulf seafood or cozy Italian favorites.
If you’re looking for a restaurant patio experience, best to wait until after summer. Lake Charles summer weather is hot and muggy. And while that season may feel long, winters are considered short. Temperature variation throughout the year ranges from 44 to 91 degrees on average.
The cost of living in Lake Charles is almost 16% lower than the U.S. average and 6.5% lower than the statewide average. Its affordability only adds to its potential as your access point for Louisiana charm paired with vibrant, metropolitan amenities.
Explore Top Nursing Jobs in Lake Charles, LA, and Nationwide
If you’re looking for the next step in your nursing career, we can help. IntelyCare’s range of excellent nursing jobs offers many opportunities to pursue your professional goals in your speciality area at your preferred facility type.