Hazel Crest: A Promising Nursing Landscape with Competitive Salaries and Expanding Opportunities in Community Health
Here in Hazel Crest, a quaint village surrounded by the vibrant heartbeat of Chicago and the lush landscapes of Cook County, the nursing job market presents a mix of opportunities and challenges. While our community may be smaller than its urban neighbor, it has a thriving healthcare scene with facilities catering to diverse patient populations. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, registered nurses in Illinois earn a mean annual salary of approximately $81,490, translating to around $39.18 per hour. In Hazel Crest, we can estimate that nurses earn between $34.00 to $43.50 per hour—a competitive range compared to the national mean of $82,750. Our village—brought to life by close-knit neighborhoods and local charms—also features the iconic Lake Katherine Nature Center and a relatively short commute to Chicago's broader healthcare opportunities, making it ideal for both nursing professionals and prospective travel nurses.
The nursing job market in Hazel Crest is positioned for notable growth in the coming years. With an increasing population and a projected shortage in the nursing workforce, NurseRecruiter estimates that we will need approximately 100 new nurses over the next 5 years to meet our healthcare demands. Currently, our village is home to about 250 employed nurses, which means we have a solid foundation, albeit one that will need to expand to tackle future challenges. Travel nursing also plays a role in our employment landscape, with demand peaking during summer months due to increased patient admissions in local hospitals. In contrast, cities like Oak Lawn and Orland Park— just a short drive away— also boast strong healthcare systems with their respective salary averages for nurses ranging similarly, but they often offer a larger pool of options for job seekers. The major healthcare players here encompass Franciscan Health in Olympia Fields and other local clinics, highlighting that while opportunities remain strong in our village, potential doesn’t always match the abundance found in larger metropolitan surroundings.
Our healthcare infrastructure reflects Hazel Crest's commitment to quality care and community wellness. With an array of local clinics, skilled nursing facilities, and support services, there's a growing demand for specialized nursing roles ranging from geriatrics to home healthcare. Recent investments in healthcare infrastructure—driven by the shift towards community-based care—promote promising avenues for nurses exploring roles in both traditional settings and innovative healthcare delivery models. Beyond our thriving professional environment, our village offers a peaceful lifestyle with access to parks, cultural events, and a friendly community. With a population of about 14,000 and recent growth trends indicating steady increases, we are poised for success. Hazel Crest is known for its collaborative public health initiatives, which further enhance our nursing roles. As we navigate these changes, I encourage both current and aspiring nurses to continue exploring our local job opportunities through NurseRecruiter, where employers can also connect with talented local candidates. The future of nursing in Hazel Crest is bright, and we’re all a part of it.
