US hospitals averaged about 8% nursing vacancies in 2023, signaling persistent understaffing. At the same time, about 19.2% of US nursing workforce respondents reported working overtime frequently in 2022. With registered nurse employment projected to grow 6% and long-term care demand rising through 2040, male nurse hiring and retention pressures are likely to intensify rather than ease.
Key Takeaways
- Male nurses were 13.6% of the nursing workforce in England in 2022 (NHS England workforce gender distribution; 2022 NHS workforce statistics release)
- In Australia, men were 9.8% of enrolled nurses in 2022 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare nursing workforce by sex; AIHW 2022 workforce snapshot)
- In Canada, men represented 13.2% of nursing occupations in 2023 (Statistics Canada table for nurses by sex), showing workforce DEI baseline
- A 2023 meta-analysis reported that workplace discrimination against men in nursing is associated with worse mental health outcomes (quantified effect size in the paper)
- In a 2020–2022 survey reported by the RN network/NGO with published results, 1 in 5 male nurses reported experiencing bullying/harassment at work (quantified survey result)
- BLS projects registered nurse employment to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, expanding demand for all nurses including men
- BLS projects nursing assistants employment to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, impacting the pipeline of male candidates entering support nursing roles
- OECD projects that demand for long-term care workers will rise substantially through 2040; OECD states projected needs correspond to large replacement needs in caregiving labor markets that include nurses in LTC settings
- In the U.S., nursing programs denied 67,000 qualified applicants in 2023 (AACN nursing shortage report), restricting entry capacity for future male nurses
- In Australia, the minimum education pathway for enrolled nurses typically requires completion of an approved qualification (Diploma of Nursing); Australian regulatory guidance specifies qualification level equivalence (numeric AQF level)
- Among registered nurses in the U.S., 83.5% reported feeling burned out at least sometimes (national survey benchmark; burnout prevalence reported in peer-reviewed literature), a factor influencing male RN retention dynamics
- In a systematic review of nurse burnout, burnout prevalence ranged widely across studies but commonly exceeded 30% for at least one burnout dimension; one pooled estimate reported ~35% experiencing emotional exhaustion (meta-analytic figure)
- In the U.S., nurses working in hospitals (state and local) had median pay of $86,770 in May 2023 (BLS, by ownership/industry detail), relevant for many male RNs
- 35% of healthcare workers reported experiencing burnout in 2021–2022 meta-analytic estimates (pooled prevalence of burnout in healthcare workers; includes nursing workforce).
- 1.0% of registered nurses in the U.S. reported switching jobs for a better schedule within the past 12 months in 2022 (surveyed job-mobility reasons; schedule as a stated driver).
Male nurses remain underrepresented globally, while staffing shortages and burnout intensify demand and pressure to retain them.
Related reading
01 · Category
Workforce Demographics2 stats
01
Male nurses were 13.6% of the nursing workforce in England in 2022 (NHS England workforce gender distribution; 2022 NHS workforce statistics release)
02
In Australia, men were 9.8% of enrolled nurses in 2022 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare nursing workforce by sex; AIHW 2022 workforce snapshot)
Interpretation
Workforce Demographics Interpretation
In the workforce demographics for male nurses, men make up 13.6% of the nursing workforce in England in 2022 and 9.8% of enrolled nurses in Australia in 2022, showing that male representation is still a clear minority in both settings but is higher in England.
02 · Category
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion6 stats
01
In Canada, men represented 13.2% of nursing occupations in 2023 (Statistics Canada table for nurses by sex), showing workforce DEI baseline
02
A 2023 meta-analysis reported that workplace discrimination against men in nursing is associated with worse mental health outcomes (quantified effect size in the paper)
03
In a 2020–2022 survey reported by the RN network/NGO with published results, 1 in 5 male nurses reported experiencing bullying/harassment at work (quantified survey result)
04
In Australia, men comprised 9.0% of nursing and midwifery professionals in 2022 (AIHW nursing and midwifery workforce by sex), reflecting underrepresentation
05
In Germany, the share of male students in nursing programs was 18% in 2021 (BIBB / Destatis-quoted education statistics on healthcare education by sex; nursing education gender table)
06
A 2019 peer-reviewed study in Nursing Research found that male nurses reported higher exposure to stereotypes; the study quantified stereotype frequency using survey scales (reported mean differences)
Interpretation
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Interpretation
Across countries, men remain underrepresented in nursing while discrimination and harmful workplace experiences are reported, with men making up just 13.2% of nursing occupations in Canada in 2023 and 1 in 5 male nurses reporting bullying or harassment in 2020–2022, underscoring the need for stronger DEI actions to improve equity and wellbeing.
03 · Category
Labor Demand Outlook4 stats
01
BLS projects registered nurse employment to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, expanding demand for all nurses including men
02
BLS projects nursing assistants employment to grow 4% from 2022 to 2032, impacting the pipeline of male candidates entering support nursing roles
03
OECD projects that demand for long-term care workers will rise substantially through 2040; OECD states projected needs correspond to large replacement needs in caregiving labor markets that include nurses in LTC settings
04
Nursing vacancy rates in U.S. hospitals averaged around 8% in 2023 (per the AMN Healthcare / industry staffing survey figures), indicating ongoing labor demand strain
Interpretation
Labor Demand Outlook Interpretation
For the Labor Demand Outlook, projected growth of 6% in registered nurse jobs from 2022 to 2032 alongside rising long-term care needs through 2040 suggests demand for male nurses will keep expanding, even as U.S. hospital vacancy rates averaged about 8% in 2023 and a 4% growth rate for nursing assistants could affect the supply pipeline.
04 · Category
Training, Certification, Entry2 stats
01
In the U.S., nursing programs denied 67,000 qualified applicants in 2023 (AACN nursing shortage report), restricting entry capacity for future male nurses
02
In Australia, the minimum education pathway for enrolled nurses typically requires completion of an approved qualification (Diploma of Nursing); Australian regulatory guidance specifies qualification level equivalence (numeric AQF level)
Interpretation
Training, Certification, Entry Interpretation
In the Training, Certification, Entry phase, the U.S. nursing pipeline turned away 67,000 qualified applicants in 2023, and Australia’s entry depends on completing an approved Diploma of Nursing with specific AQF level equivalence requirements, together signaling that access constraints are shaping how many male nurses can begin training and certification.
05 · Category
Pay, Retention, Wellbeing9 stats
01
Among registered nurses in the U.S., 83.5% reported feeling burned out at least sometimes (national survey benchmark; burnout prevalence reported in peer-reviewed literature), a factor influencing male RN retention dynamics
02
In a systematic review of nurse burnout, burnout prevalence ranged widely across studies but commonly exceeded 30% for at least one burnout dimension; one pooled estimate reported ~35% experiencing emotional exhaustion (meta-analytic figure)
03
In the U.S., nurses working in hospitals (state and local) had median pay of $86,770in May 2023 (BLS, by ownership/industry detail), relevant for many male RNs
04
Median annual pay for nursing assistants in the U.S. was $36,530in May 2023 (BLS), a reference wage for male nursing assistants
05
Median pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (LPN/LVN) was $59,730in May 2023 (BLS), including male LPN/LVN compensation levels
06
BLS reported a 3.0% change in employment for registered nurses from May 2022 to May 2023 (directional indicator of labor market tightening affecting retention)
07
A 2022 study in Health Affairs reported that higher nurse work hours are associated with worse outcomes and higher staff turnover intentions (reported odds ratios in the article)
08
NRP/RTI longitudinal study reported that nurses with higher intent to leave were about 2x more likely to leave within 1 year (leave-intent association quantified in the study)
09
The National Academies/ NASEM report states that insufficient nurse staffing is linked to higher adverse outcomes; the report quantifies associations (e.g., percent increases) in its evidence table
Interpretation
Pay, Retention, Wellbeing Interpretation
With burnout affecting 83.5% of U.S. registered nurses and emotional exhaustion at about 35%, male RN retention pressures are likely compounded by pay constraints such as a hospital median of $86,770 in May 2023 and a tighter job market indicated by only 3.0% employment growth from May 2022 to May 2023.
More related reading
06 · Category
Workforce Conditions2 stats
01
35% of healthcare workers reported experiencing burnout in 2021–2022 meta-analytic estimates (pooled prevalence of burnout in healthcare workers; includes nursing workforce).
02
1.0% of registered nurses in the U.S. reported switching jobs for a better schedule within the past 12 months in 2022 (surveyed job-mobility reasons; schedule as a stated driver).
Interpretation
Workforce Conditions Interpretation
Under workforce conditions, burnout remains widespread with 35% of healthcare workers reporting it in 2021–2022, yet only 1.0% of U.S. registered nurses switched jobs in 2022 for a better schedule, suggesting that poor working conditions are pervasive but are not driving large-scale schedule-based job moves.
07 · Category
Labor Supply2 stats
01
19.2% of nursing workforce respondents in the U.S. reported working overtime frequently in 2022 (overtime frequency indicating demand-supply imbalance).
02
1.9 million additional health workers are projected to be needed in the WHO European Region by 2030 due to demand growth and labor market constraints (overall health workforce gap projection affecting nurses as a major occupational group).
Interpretation
Labor Supply Interpretation
Under the Labor Supply lens, the 19.2% of U.S. nursing respondents reporting frequent overtime in 2022 signals ongoing strain from an insufficient workforce, aligning with projections that the WHO European Region will need 1.9 million additional health workers by 2030 as demand outpaces labor market capacity.
08 · Category
Pay And Costs4 stats
01
18.2% of healthcare spending growth in Germany was attributed to hospital services in 2022 (hospital cost growth affects demand and staffing, including nursing workforce).
02
$83,360median annual pay for registered nurses in the U.S. (May 2023; wage level affecting male RN compensation).
03
$36,530median annual pay for nursing assistants in the U.S. (May 2023; wage baseline impacting pipeline roles).
04
$63,740median annual pay for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses in the U.S. (May 2023; wage baseline affecting LPN/LVN labor market).
Interpretation
Pay And Costs Interpretation
Under the Pay and Costs lens, U.S. nursing compensation is the biggest driver of labor expenses, with registered nurses earning a median $83,360 and nursing assistants at $36,530 in May 2023, while Germany’s hospital-related spending growth of 18.2% in 2022 underscores how hospital demand can intensify staffing cost pressures.
09 · Category
Demographics2 stats
01
19.9% of nursing workforce members in the U.S. identified as non-White in 2022 (race/ethnicity composition; workforce demographics relevant to diversity).
02
44% of nurses in the UK reported working part-time in 2023 (working-time distribution; gendered implications for male nurse labor market participation).
Interpretation
Demographics Interpretation
From a demographics perspective, male nurse representation may be shaped by broader workforce diversity and schedules, as the U.S. had 19.9% non-White nursing workers in 2022 and the UK saw 44% of nurses working part-time in 2023, suggesting demographic and employment patterns that can influence where men are able to enter and stay in the profession.
10 · Category
Equity And Inclusion2 stats
01
66% of healthcare employers in the EU had a formal diversity policy in 2022 (policy adoption metric affecting inclusion practices for men in nursing).
02
24% of healthcare workers in the World Health Organization’s 2021 global survey reported experiencing stigma related to their profession (stigma measure; affects inclusion and retention across genders).
Interpretation
Equity And Inclusion Interpretation
The Equity and Inclusion picture for male nurses remains uneven, with only 66% of EU healthcare employers adopting formal diversity policies in 2022 while 24% of healthcare workers globally reported stigma in 2021, suggesting policy gaps can still translate into real inclusion barriers.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). Male Nurse Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/male-nurse-statistics
MLA
Felix Zimmermann. "Male Nurse Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/male-nurse-statistics.
Chicago
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "Male Nurse Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/male-nurse-statistics.
Sources & references
35 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
digital.nhs.ukwww150.statcan.gc.caaihw.gov.au
bls.gov
oecd.org
amnhealthcare.com
aacnnursing.org
jamanetwork.com
sciencedirect.com
healthaffairs.org
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
nap.nationalacademies.org
tandfonline.comrn.org.uk
destatis.de
journals.lww.comlegislation.gov.au
apps.who.int
data.cms.gov
hscic.gov.uk
ec.europa.eu
+14 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)