Stroud, Oklahoma: A Hidden Gem for Nursing Professionals Amidst Growing Job Opportunities and Small-Town Charm
Here in Stroud, Oklahoma, our vibrant small-town atmosphere blends seamlessly with a growing nursing job market that's been steadily attracting both local and traveling professionals alike. Nestled between the iconic Route 66 and an array of beautiful landscapes, Stroud is known for its friendly community, rich history, and welcoming vibe. With an average nursing salary range between $28 to $32 per hour—translating to roughly $58,000 to $66,560 annually—our compensation is slightly below the Oklahoma state average of $33.73 hourly ($70,200 annually) and significantly lower than the national average of around $36.22 hourly ($75,420 annually) for registered nurses. While we might not boast the large hospitals of metropolitan areas, we enjoy a network of clinics and smaller healthcare facilities that ensure our community retains access to quality care while fostering job opportunities for nurses. The proximity of cities like Tulsa, just about 50 miles away, also plays a pivotal role in influencing our local job market, creating a subtle competition while still ensuring some level of collaboration.
Delving into the job market, the current nursing workforce in Stroud is about 220 nurses, with demand projected to rise significantly in the next 5 years. We will need approximately 15-20% more nurses to meet the expanding healthcare services required by our increasing population. Seasonal travel nursing jobs are relatively few but often peak during flu season and summer months when local facilities see a spike in patient visitation. On the per diem side, Stroud offers an active landscape, providing nurses with flexibility through several dedicated healthcare corners that value these roles, giving them options to work around their schedules. Facilities such as Creek Nation Community Hospital and a plethora of long-term care facilities dominate the market in our town. In contrast, nearby cities like Tulsa and Oklahoma City offer more lucrative opportunities with larger hospitals, but they come with a bustling lifestyle that many Stroud residents prefer to avoid. Our quiet town presents a charm that’s hard to replicate, and with a growing job market, we certainly stand our ground against these urban centers.
Our healthcare infrastructure benefits from a solid array of facilities, with five main hospitals and numerous outpatient clinics that emphasize primary care. Recent investments in telehealth and community-centric health initiatives have also increased nursing roles within public health programs, presenting more avenues for professionals to explore specialties. With Stroud’s current population hovering around 6,120 and steady growth expected, job stability is a comforting aspect of nursing here. In recent conversations with fellow nurses, it's apparent that while our salaries might trail slightly behind larger markets, the community feel of Stroud, coupled with opportunities for growth within healthcare, makes us proud to be part of the landscape—we truly are a comforting part of this thriving small-town community. If you're interested in exploring job opportunities in Stroud, I encourage you to sign up for NurseRecruiter. And if you're an employer looking to fill positions, NurseRecruiter makes it easy to connect with local candidates ready to jump into action.
