Thriving Nursing Opportunities Await in Wakeeney, Kansas: A Small-Town Gem with Robust Healthcare Demand and Community Charm
Here in Wakeeney, Kansas, our nursing job market reflects the warmer small-town charm of the Midwest while embodying the growing demand for healthcare professionals across the nation. With a population hovering around 1,900, Wakeeney may be small, but our healthcare sector is robust and plays a pivotal role in our community. The average salary range for nurses in our city tends to fall between $23.50 and $32.40 per hour, translating to an annual salary range of roughly $48,880 to $67,232. This compares favorably against state data where registered nurses in Kansas earn an average of $25.23 per hour and $52,540 annually, and the national averages stand around $37.85 per hour and $78,120 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Our unique blend of agriculture, history, and a close-knit community lifestyle makes Wakeeney not just a place to work but a place to call home, especially for nursing professionals.
As we look deeper into the job market here, we can see the encouraging trends indicating a bright future for nursing in Wakeeney. NurseRecruiter estimates that our community will require about 16 new nurses over the next five years due to both retirements and an expanding healthcare system. Currently, our local healthcare workforce comprises approximately 100 registered nurses, making for a healthy professional circle, providing much-needed support to Trego County's Hospital and various clinics. Interestingly, travel nursing opportunities are rising in our area, especially during the summer months when nearby rural hospitals need temporary staff to manage seasonal surges. Coupled with this, there are about 15 per diem nursing positions available in various healthcare settings, which offers flexible work options for many of us in the field. When we consider surrounding cities such as Hays or Oakley, the opportunities become more competitive, but the lifestyle, with our lower cost of living and community engagement, makes Wakeeney a hidden gem for nursing professionals.
The healthcare landscape in Wakeeney is richly supported by Trego County's 25-bed primary care hospital, various outpatient clinics, and numerous long-term care facilities that cater to an aging population. There’s a strong emphasis on family-oriented public health initiatives, like our active vaccination programs and health fairs, which foster community well-being. Additionally, Wakeeney is experiencing investment in telehealth services and outreach programs, responding to the changing healthcare needs shaped by modern technology. Despite its small size, we are an inclusive, vibrant community offering a quality lifestyle interwoven with cultural festivals and outdoor activities that showcase the beauty of the plains. As our population maintains modest growth, forecasted to rise by 4% over the next decade, the nursing profession here is positioned for growth. For both current and prospective nursing colleagues, this is an exciting time to explore opportunities in Wakeeney—sign up to NurseRecruiter to view available positions and connect with local job matches. Employers can also leverage NurseRecruiter for posting jobs to attract candidates right from our community!
