Healthcare Jobs in Virginia Beach, VA
Sentara is Virginia Beach's largest private employer, with about 5,200 workers in the city, and CHKD, Bon Secours and the Hampton VA system hire across Hampton Roads. Here are the current healthcare openings in Virginia Beach, followed by who is hiring, what the work pays and where to train.
Current healthcare Openings in Virginia Beach, VA
Listings marked External are sponsored openings provided by the Jobs2Careers network.
Healthcare Work in Virginia Beach
Healthcare in Virginia Beach is anchored by Sentara, which runs Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital off First Colonial Road and Sentara Princess Anne Hospital near the Princess Anne and Dam Neck corridor. The rest of the region's big campuses sit a short commute away: Sentara Norfolk General and the CHKD main hospital in Norfolk, and Chesapeake Regional Medical Center on Battlefield Boulevard in Chesapeake. CHKD also brings specialty clinics, therapy and lab services to its Health and Surgery Center on Concert Drive.
The military gives local healthcare a different shape from the rest of Virginia. NAS Oceana, Dam Neck and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story put thousands of service members, veterans and families in the city, and the Hampton VA Health Care System hires registered and practical nurses to serve veterans across Hampton Roads.
Top Virginia Beach Employers Hiring Healthcare Workers
These health systems hire for hospitals, clinics and outpatient centers in Virginia Beach and the neighboring Hampton Roads cities:
- Sentara Healthcare - the city's largest private employer runs Sentara Virginia Beach General and Sentara Princess Anne and hires nurses in every specialty, including home health.
- Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD) - the pediatric system staffs its Norfolk hospital and more than 40 outpatient sites, including Concert Drive in Virginia Beach.
- Bon Secours Hampton Roads - the Catholic health system hires registered nurses across its Hampton Roads hospitals and practices.
- Chesapeake Regional Healthcare - the independent hospital in Chesapeake hires nurses through its RN residency and clinical ladder programs.
- Hampton VA Health Care System - the federal VA system hires registered and practical nurses for veterans' hospital and clinic care.
Healthcare Salaries in Virginia Beach
- Entry level: about $15 to $19 per hour for support roles such as aides, technicians in training and patient services.
- Mid level: roughly $23 to $39 per hour for licensed practical nurses and other licensed technical roles.
- Senior and licensed practitioners: $37 to $55 or more per hour for registered nurses and other licensed practitioners.
These are estimates. Federal wage data puts the average for healthcare support jobs in the Virginia Beach metro near $17 an hour and the average for healthcare practitioners near $48, both a little under the national figures. The practical nurse range reflects what the Hampton VA posted for a Chesapeake clinic role in 2026. License, shift, specialty and employer type move pay the most, and the large systems add benefits and tuition help.
How to Start a Healthcare Career in Virginia Beach
The entry point depends on the role. Licensed nursing jobs require a state-approved program and a license from the Virginia Board of Nursing, part of the Virginia Department of Health Professions. Tidewater Community College runs its Practical Nursing Education certificate, three semesters long, at the Virginia Beach Campus, and its associate degree in nursing at the Portsmouth Campus. Old Dominion University's Ellmer School of Nursing teaches its BSN at the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center on University Drive. Many support roles train on the job, and a certification from a short program can help you get hired.
What the Job Involves
Healthcare work covers direct patient care, such as taking vitals, giving medications and helping patients move, along with the technical and administrative jobs that keep a hospital or clinic running: lab and imaging work, scheduling, registration, billing and sterile processing. Hospital roles run around the clock in 8- or 12-hour shifts, while clinic and outpatient jobs usually keep weekday hours.
Skills Employers Look For
- The license or certification the role requires
- BLS (CPR) certification
- Compassion and patience with patients and families
- Attention to detail with medications, records and orders
- Comfort with electronic health records
- Reliability across nights, weekends and holidays
Career Path and Advancement
Healthcare in Virginia Beach rewards stacking credentials. A common ladder starts in a support role at a Sentara or CHKD site, moves to a practical nursing certificate at TCC's Virginia Beach Campus, then to an RN through TCC's LPN-to-RN path or a BSN at ODU. Experienced nurses move into charge, education and management roles, and graduate study opens nurse practitioner jobs across Hampton Roads.
Related Careers in Virginia Beach
For a closer look at one of the most in-demand roles in the city, see:
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the biggest healthcare employer in Virginia Beach?
Sentara Healthcare is the city's largest private employer, with about 5,200 workers in Virginia Beach according to the city's economic development office. It runs Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital and Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in the city.
How much do healthcare workers make in Virginia Beach?
Pay depends on the license. Federal wage data puts healthcare support jobs in the metro near $17 an hour on average, while healthcare practitioners average near $48 an hour. Registered nurses in the metro have a median of about $43 an hour.
Who licenses nurses in Virginia?
The Virginia Board of Nursing, part of the Virginia Department of Health Professions, licenses registered and practical nurses. Virginia belongs to the nurse licensure compact, so nurses with a multistate license from another compact state of residence can also work here.
Can I train for a healthcare job in Virginia Beach without moving?
Yes. Tidewater Community College's Virginia Beach Campus runs a three-semester Practical Nursing Education certificate, and Old Dominion University's Ellmer School of Nursing is based at the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center. TCC's associate degree in nursing is taught at its Portsmouth Campus.
Do I have to work in Norfolk to find a hospital job?
No, but it widens your options. Virginia Beach has Sentara Virginia Beach General, Sentara Princess Anne and CHKD's Concert Drive center, while the flagship hospitals, Sentara Norfolk General and the CHKD hospital, are a short drive up I-264 in Norfolk.
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