Nursing Jobs: Wichita, KS, Overview
Established as a trading post in the 1860s, Wichita is located in south-central Kansas on the banks of the Arkansas River. It offers economical living and a Midwest feel. If you’re looking for nursing jobs, Wichita, KS, has numerous opportunities for all levels of practitioners seeking full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, or per diem positions. Learn more about what this city can offer you both on and off the clock.
Quick Facts About Nursing Jobs in Wichita, KS
- Is Kansas a compact state? Yes. Learn about the general regulations in the Kansas Nurse Practice Act.
- How much do nurses earn in Wichita? This is a breakdown of average annual salaries in Wichita by license/certification:
- NP salary in Wichita: $113,240
- RN salary in Wichita: $72,890
- LPN salary in Wichita: $53,410
- CNA salary in Wichita: $35,000
- Where can I learn more about license requirements for Kansas nurses? You can visit the Kansas Board of Nursing website for up-to-date information. Have a license that's going to expire soon? Our article on the Kansas nursing license renewal process can help.
What to Know When Pursuing Nursing Jobs in Wichita, KS
A little over 396,000 people live in Wichita. Of those residents, 15.4% are ages 65 and older, and nearly a quarter are under 18, providing opportunities for both geriatric and pediatric nursing jobs. Wichita, KS, needs all kinds of skilled professionals to provide care for the community. You can explore the latest openings for your license or certification:
- Nurse practitioner jobs in Wichita, KS
- RN jobs in Wichita, KS
- LPN jobs in Wichita, KS
- CNA jobs in Wichita, KS
- Surgical tech jobs in Wichita, KS
- CMA jobs in Wichita, KS
- Home health aide jobs in Wichita, KS
- Caregiver jobs in Wichita, KS
Working in Wichita
The city and the surrounding metro area have 18 acute-care facilities and hospitals. Healthcare is the second-biggest sector for employment in the Greater Wichita region. Jump-start your job search by checking out the latest opportunities in the hospitals, medical systems, and other facilities in the area, including:
- Ascension
- Children's Mercy - Wichita
- Kansas Heart Hospital
- Kansas Spine and Specialty Hospital
- KVC Health Systems
- Select Medical
- University of Kansas Medical Center
- Wesley Medical Center
The Sedgwick County Health Department operates brick-and-mortar clinics, as well as mobile clinics, throughout the county and has programs dedicated to mental health, seniors, expectant mothers, and more. You’ll also find many skilled nursing facilities as possible sources of nursing jobs.
Wichita, KS, has an average commute time of just 18.2 minutes versus the national average of 26.4 minutes. Most people drive their own car (84.4%), 8.7% carpool, and only 0.7% use mass transit. The remaining 3.1% work from home.
Need assistance with family duties while on the job? The Kansas Division of Public Health offers an online report of licensed childcare facilities; you can also find plenty of pet sitters in Wichita.
Living in Wichita
Wichita is a mid-size city that’s an excellent place for anyone who likes outdoor sports, museums, galleries, and art. When it comes time to settle into a home or apartment, check out the neighborhoods in the city, which include the following.
- Delano is one of the city’s oldest areas. The center of town used to be the main road for cattle drives. That road is now lined with restaurants and businesses.
- Downtown is the place for entertainment, with theaters, art galleries, and popular restaurants.
- Old Town is east of Downtown, where you’ll find brick-lined streets and businesses in converted warehouse spaces.
- Douglas Design District is a mix of design-related businesses and residential spaces. Buildings are adorned with murals.
- River District is where the Arkansas and Little Arkansas Rivers converge. You’ll find many of the city’s museums here.
When it comes to local eats, Wichita has some very unique hometown dishes. You might not understand why your chili comes with a cinnamon roll. It’s a Wichita thing. Your chicken noodle soup will come on top of mashed potatoes. You can also order a Bierock. It’s a pocket of dough filled with hamburger, shredded cabbage, and onions. The dish was brought to Wichita by German immigrants decades ago.
The Wichita Art Museum is one of the largest art museums in Kansas, with pieces by Dale Chihuly, Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, John Steuart Curry, Winslow Homer, and Charles M. Russell. The city is also home to the Ulrich Museum of Art. Housed on the Wichita State University campus, it has more than 6,000 works of modern and contemporary art. The campus is also decorated with more than 70 sculptures in the Ulrich collection. You’ll also find several galleries devoted to art glass, an alley turned into an art gallery, and the All-Indian Museum.
There are some fun day trips near Wichita. The three-hour drive to Kansas City is worth experiencing the Taco Trail with its 50 taquerias. Just two hours away in Wamego, you can find the nine-mile road to Oz, which ends at the Oz Museum. Suppose you’re looking for outdoor adventure, head north for two hours to Manhattan, Kansas. Spend the day hiking the Pillsbury Crossing Wildlife Area, viewing the waterfall, and kayaking.
Wichita is a city of extreme weather. Expect hot, humid summers and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The most pleasant time of year is mid-May to early October.
Wichita’s cost of living is 11% lower than the U.S. average. Average home prices and apartment rentals are 34% more affordable than in the rest of the country.
IntelyCare Is Your Source for Great Nursing Jobs
Wichita, KS, can be a great place to build your nursing career. Need help getting started? Discover how IntelyCare can match you with nursing jobs that align with your skills, background, and facility preferences.