Registered Nurse Jobs in Indianapolis, IN
Registered nurses in Indianapolis earn a median of about $40.50 an hour, and more than 25,000 RNs work across the metro. IU Health, Community Health Network and Eskenazi Health are all hiring. Here are the current openings, followed by who is hiring, what it pays and how to get licensed in Indiana.
Current registered nurse Openings in Indianapolis, IN
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Registered Nurse Work in Indianapolis
Most RN jobs in Indianapolis sit in a few medical districts. Downtown, the IU Indianapolis medical campus packs IU Health University Hospital, Riley Hospital for Children, Eskenazi Health and the Roudebush VA close together, with IU Health Methodist just north near 16th Street. Community Health Network staffs hospitals on Ritter Avenue on the east side, on Clearvista Drive in Castleton and on County Line Road on the south side, while the 86th Street corridor is home to Ascension St. Vincent Indianapolis.
Two things set Indianapolis apart. First, IU Health is building a $4.3 billion hospital along 16th Street, due in late 2027, that will combine Methodist and University into one campus. Second, the county's public system, Eskenazi Health, and the Marion County Public Health Department hire through one portal, giving nurses a route into burn care, specialty clinics and community public health without leaving the same employer family.
Top Indianapolis Employers Hiring Registered Nurses
These Indianapolis employers have RN openings posted on their own careers sites:
- IU Health - hires RNs for Riley pediatric units, the cath lab and Methodist outpatient clinics.
- Community Health Network - staffs inpatient units at Community North, East and South, including ortho, neuro and spine.
- Eskenazi Health - the county's public hospital hires staff nurses for its burn unit and many other departments downtown.
- Marion County Public Health Department - hires BSN-prepared public health nurses for community programs.
- Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center - the West 10th Street VA hires RNs on federal pay scales across inpatient and domiciliary care.
- Kindred Hospital Indianapolis - long-term acute care hospitals hiring RNs and nurse supervisors on day and night shifts.
Registered Nurse Salaries in Indianapolis
- Entry level: about $33 to $38 an hour for new graduates.
- Experienced: roughly $38 to $49 an hour for staff nurses with a few years on a unit.
- Senior: $49 to $51 an hour and up, with recent VA postings for local nurses reaching about $60.
These are estimates from federal May 2025 wage data for the Indianapolis metro, cross-checked against VA pay ranges. Night and weekend differentials, ICU, OR and emergency experience, a BSN and charge duties all raise pay. Short-term per diem contracts pay far more for a few months, and some employers add sign-on bonuses for hard-to-fill units.
How to Become a Registered Nurse in Indianapolis
You need an associate degree (ASN) or a bachelor's degree (BSN) from a nursing program approved by the Indiana State Board of Nursing, then you pass the NCLEX-RN and apply for your license through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency, which includes a criminal background check. Indiana is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact, so a multistate license is available. Local options include the IU School of Nursing at IU Indianapolis, the University of Indianapolis, Marian University's Leighton School of Nursing, Chamberlain University near Keystone at the Crossing, and the ASN at Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, which has moved its School of Nursing downtown.
What the Job Involves
Registered nurses assess patients, give medications and treatments, monitor vital signs and lab results, and adjust care plans with doctors and the rest of the team. A typical shift includes admitting and discharging patients, charting in the electronic health record, teaching patients and families about their care, and supervising LPNs and nursing assistants on the unit.
Skills Employers Look For
- Active Indiana or multistate RN license
- BLS, with ACLS or PALS for acute care units
- Electronic health record charting
- Sound clinical judgement and prioritization
- Clear communication with patients, families and physicians
- Flexibility for 12-hour, night and weekend shifts
Career Path and Advancement
Many Indianapolis nurses start on a medical-surgical floor, then move into specialty units such as Riley's pediatric cardiac ICU, Eskenazi's burn unit or the cath lab. From there, the ladder runs to charge nurse, nurse supervisor and unit manager, or into public health and outpatient roles. RNs who start with an ASN can finish an RN-to-BSN at IU Indianapolis while they work.
Related Careers in Indianapolis
If nursing interests you, these related Indianapolis guides are close matches:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Indianapolis?
The metro median is about $40.50 an hour, or roughly $84,000 a year. New graduates often start near $33 to $38, and experienced nurses in specialty units or on nights can earn $49 an hour or more.
Who licenses registered nurses in Indiana?
The Indiana State Board of Nursing licenses RNs, and applications go through the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency. You need an approved nursing program, a passing NCLEX-RN score and a criminal background check.
Can I work in Indianapolis with a nursing license from another state?
Yes, if you hold a multistate license from a Nurse Licensure Compact state, since Indiana is a compact member. Otherwise you apply to the Indiana State Board of Nursing for a license by endorsement.
What shifts do registered nurses work in Indianapolis?
Hospital RNs usually work 12-hour shifts, and current Indianapolis postings include full-time days, full-time nights, part-time nights and PRN roles. Clinic and public health jobs tend to run on weekday daytime hours.
Do I need a BSN to be a nurse in Indianapolis?
An ASN is enough to sit for the NCLEX-RN and get licensed, but some roles ask for a BSN, such as Marion County public health nursing. Many nurses start with an ASN and finish an RN-to-BSN while working.
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