Nicknamed the Magic City because it grew so fast, Roanoke, VA, is a mountain town known for its natural beauty and for its star on top of Mill Mountain. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Roanoke is home to just over 98,000 people and has the perfect combination of a peaceful yet urban environment. Are you looking for nursing jobs in Roanoke? If so, the city has so much to offer you on the job, or off the clock.
Fast Facts About Nursing Jobs in Roanoke
- Is Virginia a compact state? Yes.
- What is the average RNs salary in Roanoke? The mean annual salary for RN jobs in Roanoke is $74,760, compared to the national average RN salary of $89,010.
- Where can I find information about RN license requirements in Virginia? Get information on licensure in Virginia by visiting the Virginia Board of Nursing website.
More About Nursing Jobs in Roanoke
Roanoke is the ninth most populus city in Virginia, just a bit smaller than the more well-known cities of Alexandria and Richmond. But if you’re an RN, CNA, or LPN, you will still have plenty of options for full-time, part-time, contract, and per diem opportunities with many different types of employers, from hospitals to doctors’ offices to long-term care.
Despite Roanoke being a bit more homogeneous than some larger urban centers, you can still bring your skills in cultural competency to your search for nursing jobs. Roanoke needs culturally skilled nurses, as the city demographics show about 28% of residents are Black and just over 6% are of Hispanic ethnicity.
The age demographics show that Roanoke will be needing caregivers well into the future. The city has a fairly large older population, with more than 16% of its residents over the age of 65. This is balanced by people under 18 making up 22% of the population, and nearly 7% are under the age of 5. Women comprise just over 52% of residents.
If the caregivers need care for their own families, that’s available in Roanoke. As of a 2023 assessment, there was a licensed capacity of 1,925 spots in tracked childcare programs in Roanoke County. There are also lots of pet sitting and walking services available, just in case your kids are the four-legged kind.
Working in Roanoke
The demand for nursing jobs in Roanoke may be due in part to the fact that healthcare is one of the key industries in the region, along with finance, logistics, legal services, and manufacturing,. Major employers include Carilion Clinic, Wells Fargo Bank, HCA Health System, and Kroger.
Supporting the need for healthcare workers and nursing professionals of all types is the major hospital in Roanoke, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. This 703-bed hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and includes the Carilion Clinic Children’s Hospital, which has its own pediatric emergency room. Even more enticing for nurses — CRMH has been given a nursing magnet designation.
However, this extensive clinical care center is not the only place offering a range of nursing jobs. Roanoke is also home to 23 of the 228 nursing home facilities statewide.
If you’re thinking that one of the benefits of living in a smaller city like Roanoke is that it will be easier to get to your nursing job every day, you’re right. The average commute in the city is only 23.8 minutes, nearly 17% shorter than the state average and still better than the average national commute time of 27.6 minutes. Most folks drive to work (over 89%) and very few take mass transit (.2%).
Living in Roanoke
The relatively reasonable drive to work isn’t the only thing residents of Roanoke love about where they live. There are more than 600 miles of trails around the region, and the area boasts a great reputation for outdoor recreation due in part to the fact that the famous Appalachian Trail runs just north of the city. If you prefer to bike instead of walk, the Roanoke Valley has been named one of the 10 most bike-friendly areas in the country.
But Roanoke has plenty of wonderful things to do indoors as well. Star City (named for the giant star that has lit the city skyline since 1949) also supports the Taubman Museum of Art and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, which bring their own shine to the local cultural scene.
If great places to eat and drink are your idea of a night out, Roanoke has a variety to explore. Some of Virginia’s best-known restaurants are in Roanoke — including those featuring locally sourced produce and meats and, perhaps less expected for the Blue Ridge area, one of best pizza places in the state.
Yet with all this to offer, Roanoke is affordable, with a low cost of living. Not only is the median home price (and the cost of renting) in Roanoke well below the national average, so are key essentials like groceries, utilities, and healthcare. Your nurse salary will go a long way in this lovely mountain city.
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