By 2026, the U.S. is expected to face a 200,000 RN shortfall as retirements accelerate and vacancies refuse to ease. At the same time, hospital vacancy rates run high, with 15.7% in 2023 nationwide and stark regional gaps. This is one supply crunch that shows up in staffing, turnover, and patient outcomes all at once.
Key Takeaways
- U.S. COVID-19 pandemic accelerated retirements, with 100,000 nurses leaving workforce by 2022
- 31% of U.S. nurses reported burnout as primary reason for leaving in 2023 surveys
- Aging workforce: 50% of U.S. RNs will retire by 2030, averaging age 52 in 2023
- In 2023, U.S. hospitals reported a registered nurse (RN) vacancy rate of 15.7%, equating to over 100,000 open positions nationwide
- As of 2024, California faces a shortage of 44,500 RNs, representing the largest state-level gap in the U.S.
- New York hospitals had an RN turnover rate of 27.1% in 2023, contributing to 17,000 vacant nursing positions
- U.S. nurse shortage linked to 7.5% higher mortality rates in hospitals
- Short-staffed hospitals see 20% increase in patient falls annually
- Nurse shortages cost U.S. healthcare $4.5 billion in overtime in 2023
- By 2030, the U.S. will face a shortage of 440,000 RNs, with demand growing 6% annually
- Global nursing shortage projected to reach 5.7 million by 2030, per WHO estimates
- U.S. RN shortage expected to hit 200,000 by 2026 due to retirements
- U.S. vacancy rates vary: highest in South at 17.2% vs Midwest 11.5% in 2023
- Midwest U.S. states average 12.1% RN vacancy rate, lowest nationally in 2024
- Northeast hospitals report 14.8% RN shortages, driven by high costs
U.S. RN shortages are worsening fast, driven by retirements, burnout, and growing vacancies nationwide.
Related reading
01 · Category
Causes And Contributing Factors24 stats
01
U.S. COVID-19 pandemic accelerated retirements, with 100,000 nurses leaving workforce by 2022
02
31% of U.S. nurses reported burnout as primary reason for leaving in 2023 surveys
03
Aging workforce: 50% of U.S. RNs will retire by 2030, averaging age 52 in 2023
04
Insufficient nursing faculty leads to 91,000 qualified applicants turned away from BSN programs in 2023
05
Low wages contribute: average RN salary $81,220lags behind education costs
06
Workplace violence reported by 44% of nurses annually, driving 20% turnover
07
COVID-19 burnout caused 20% of nurses to consider leaving profession in 2022
08
Poor work-life balance cited by 62% of departing nurses in 2023
09
Mandatory overtime affects 40% of nurses, increasing turnover by 15%
10
Lack of career advancement opportunities leads to 25% attrition in first 5 years
11
Rural areas have 20% fewer nursing programs, exacerbating local shortages
12
Student debt averages $40,000for BSN nurses, deterring new entrants
13
Gender imbalance: 87% female workforce faces childcare barriers
14
Inadequate staffing ratios increase errors by 30%, prompting nurse exits
15
Administrative burdens take 28% of shift time, per 2023 studies
16
Scope of practice restrictions limit APRN supply by 20%
17
High assault rates: 21% of nurses physically attacked yearly
18
Preceptorship shortages turn away 50% of new grad applicants
19
Immigration barriers reduce foreign nurse influx by 30%
20
Pandemic PPE shortages led to 15% early retirements
21
Moral distress from rationed care affects 70% of ICU nurses
22
Shift work disrupts sleep for 55% of nurses, increasing quit rates
23
Lack of diversity: only 19% non-white RNs despite 40% population
24
Clinical placement shortages limit enrollment by 25%
Interpretation
Causes And Contributing Factors Interpretation
Under the causes and contributing factors for the nurse shortage, the pandemic and burnout have helped push 100,000 nurses out of the workforce by 2022 while 31% report burnout as their main reason for leaving, and with 50% of RNs projected to retire by 2030 and 91,000 qualified BSN applicants turned away in 2023 due to limited faculty, the pipeline and retention problems are reinforcing each other.
02 · Category
Current Shortage Numbers30 stats
01
In 2023, U.S. hospitals reported a registered nurse (RN) vacancy rate of 15.7%, equating to over 100,000 open positions nationwide
02
As of 2024, California faces a shortage of 44,500 RNs, representing the largest state-level gap in the U.S.
03
New York hospitals had an RN turnover rate of 27.1% in 2023, contributing to 17,000 vacant nursing positions
04
In 2022, the average RN vacancy rate in U.S. hospitals was 12.3%, up from 8.5% pre-pandemic
05
Texas reported 15,000 unfilled RN jobs in 2024, with vacancy rates averaging 17% in major urban hospitals
06
Florida's nursing shortage stands at 59,100 RNs needed currently, driven by population growth
07
U.S. nursing homes have a 11.8% RN vacancy rate as of 2023, affecting 94% of facilities
08
Illinois hospitals face 8,500 RN shortages in 2024, with Chicago metro area vacancy at 18.2%
09
Pennsylvania's RN vacancy rate hit 13.4% in 2023, totaling 12,000 open positions statewide
10
Ohio reports 10,200 vacant RN roles in 2024, with turnover exceeding 20% in rural areas
11
Michigan's nursing shortage is 7,900 RNs as of 2023, vacancy rate 14.5% in Detroit hospitals
12
Georgia has 8,100 unfilled RN positions in 2024, averaging 16% vacancy in Atlanta facilities
13
North Carolina faces 7,500 RN shortages currently, with 15.2% vacancy in teaching hospitals
14
Washington state RN vacancy rate is 17.8% in 2023, needing 5,200 more nurses
15
Massachusetts reports 4,900 RN vacancies in 2024, turnover at 22.3% post-COVID
16
U.S. ICU units have 20.1% RN vacancy rate in 2023, critically impacting patient care
17
Emergency departments nationwide show 18.5% RN shortages as of 2024
18
Long-term care facilities report 94% experiencing RN shortages, averaging 12.5% vacancy in 2023
19
Veterans Affairs hospitals have 13.2% RN vacancy rate in 2024, affecting 20,000 beds
20
Pediatric units face 16.7% RN shortages nationally in 2023
21
Oncology nursing vacancies stand at 14.9% in U.S. hospitals as of 2024
22
Mental health facilities report 19.2% RN vacancy rate in 2023
23
Rural U.S. hospitals have 22.4% RN vacancy rates currently
24
Urban hospitals average 13.8% RN vacancies in 2024
25
Public health nursing shortages reach 15,000 positions unfilled in 2023
26
School nursing vacancies affect 25% of U.S. districts in 2024, totaling 40,000 needed
27
Home health agencies report 11.5% RN vacancy rate as of 2023
28
Dialysis centers have 17.3% RN shortages nationwide in 2024
29
Operating room RN vacancies average 16.2% in 2023 U.S. hospitals
30
Labor and delivery units face 21.5% RN vacancy rates currently
Interpretation
Current Shortage Numbers Interpretation
Across the current shortage numbers, the United States is dealing with RN vacancy rates around 15.7% in 2023 that translate to over 100,000 open positions nationwide, while states like California and Florida face major gaps of 44,500 and 59,100 RNs respectively.
03 · Category
Impacts And Consequences22 stats
01
U.S. nurse shortage linked to 7.5% higher mortality rates in hospitals
02
Short-staffed hospitals see 20% increase in patient falls annually
03
Nurse shortages cost U.S. healthcare $4.5 billion in overtime in 2023
04
Every additional patient per nurse raises death risk by 7%, per 2022 meta-analysis
05
Delayed care in short-staffed ERs increases wait times by 45 minutes average
06
Nursing home shortages correlate with 10% higher readmission rates
07
Shortages lead to 15% burnout in remaining staff, worsening cycle
08
Rural hospital closures up 20% due to nurse shortages since 2010
09
Medication errors rise 18% with understaffing
10
U.S. hospitals with shortages report 12% lower patient satisfaction scores
11
Shortages increase infection rates by 11% in ICUs
12
Economic impact: $7.9 billion lost productivity from nurse turnover in 2023
13
Surgical complications up 15% in understaffed ORs
14
Mental health units with shortages see 25% higher suicide attempts
15
Ambulance diversion hours increase 30% due to ED nurse shortages
16
Post-surgical readmissions rise 8% with low nurse ratios
17
Pediatric mortality increases 10% per missed nursing shift
18
Home health delays affect 20% more elderly patients yearly
19
Nurse shortages contribute to $28 billion in avoidable Medicare costs annually
20
Staff retention drops 25% in high-shortage facilities
21
Patient length of stay extends 0.4 days with 1:8 ratios vs 1:4
22
Sepsis recognition delays rise 20% in short-staffed wards
Interpretation
Impacts And Consequences Interpretation
Across the Impacts And Consequences category, understaffed nursing is showing measurable harm, with a 7.5% higher hospital mortality rate and a 7% rise in death risk for every additional patient per nurse, alongside knock on effects like 20% more annual patient falls and longer ER wait times averaging 45 minutes.
More related reading
04 · Category
Projections And Future Shortages30 stats
01
By 2030, the U.S. will face a shortage of 440,000 RNs, with demand growing 6% annually
02
Global nursing shortage projected to reach 5.7 million by 2030, per WHO estimates
03
U.S. RN shortage expected to hit 200,000 by 2026 due to retirements
04
By 2035, California projects need for 275,000 additional RNs
05
U.S. LPN shortage forecasted at 100,000 by 2030
06
Europe anticipates 1 million nurse shortfall by 2030
07
Texas RN demand to increase 22% by 2032, creating 20,000 shortages
08
Florida projects 193,000 RN shortage by 2035 amid aging population
09
U.S. nurse anesthetist shortage of 10,000 projected by 2028
10
By 2040, U.S. will need 1.2 million more RNs than supplied
11
Canada expects 60,000 RN shortage by 2028
12
UK NHS forecasts 40,000 nurse vacancies by 2025
13
Australia projects 85,000 nurse shortage by 2030
14
New York state RN shortage to reach 50,000 by 2030
15
U.S. APRN shortage of 35,000 expected by 2026
16
Illinois forecasts 27,000 RN shortage by 2040
17
Ohio projects 31,000 RN need by 2030
18
Pennsylvania anticipates 20,000 RN shortage by 2028
19
Michigan RN demand up 15% by 2032, leading to 15,000 shortage
20
Georgia projects 123,000 RN shortage by 2035
21
North Carolina expects 12,000 RN shortage by 2026
22
Washington state forecasts 20,000 RN shortage by 2030
23
Global shortage of nurse educators projected at 20% increase by 2030
24
U.S. critical care RN shortage to double to 100,000 by 2030
25
Emergency nursing shortage expected at 25% by 2028
26
U.S. psychiatric-mental health RN shortage of 30,000 by 2030
27
Rural U.S. nurse shortage to reach 25% vacancy by 2035
28
U.S. perioperative RN shortage projected at 18,000 by 2026
29
Neonatal ICU nursing shortage to hit 15% by 2030
30
Home health RN shortage forecasted at 500,000 by 2040
Interpretation
Projections And Future Shortages Interpretation
Projections and future shortages show that staffing gaps will widen fast, with the U.S. expected to lose about 440,000 RNs by 2030 as demand rises 6% per year, while global shortages are projected to reach 5.7 million by the same date.
05 · Category
Regional/geographical Variations26 stats
01
U.S. vacancy rates vary: highest in South at 17.2% vs Midwest 11.5% in 2023
02
Midwest U.S. states average 12.1% RN vacancy rate, lowest nationally in 2024
03
Northeast hospitals report 14.8% RN shortages, driven by high costs
04
West Coast RN vacancy at 18.3%, highest due to migration out
05
Southeast U.S. faces 16.5% vacancy, population boom factor
06
Sub-Saharan Africa has 85% nursing workforce deficit per WHO 2023
07
India reports 2 million nurse shortage, urban-rural gap 4:1
08
UK London hospitals 25% overstaffed wait, rural 40% short
09
Australia rural areas 30% RN short vs urban 10%
10
Canada prairies 18% vacancy vs Ontario 12%
11
Germany eastern states 22% short, west 9%
12
Brazil urban favelas 35% nurse deficit
13
Japan rural prefectures 28% vacancy rate 2023
14
South Korea Seoul 11% short, provinces 24%
15
Mexico border states 20% higher shortages than central
16
Nigeria urban 60% staffed, rural 15%
17
Philippines overseas migration leaves 25% domestic short, rural 40%
18
China tier-1 cities 8% vacancy, tier-3 32%
19
Russia Siberia regions 27% nurse short vs Moscow 5%
20
Saudi Arabia rural expat dependency 35% gap
21
U.S. Alaska 29% RN vacancy, highest state
22
New Mexico 24% vacancy rate 2024
23
North Dakota rural 26% short
24
Vermont 19% vacancy in small hospitals
25
Wyoming 23% RN short in 2023
26
South Dakota 21% vacancy average
Interpretation
Regional/geographical Variations Interpretation
Regional gaps in nursing vacancies are stark, with the South at 17.2% and the West Coast even higher at 18.3% compared with the Midwest’s lowest 11.5% in 2023, while similar pressure shows up globally with a 85% nursing workforce deficit in Sub-Saharan Africa reported by WHO in 2023.
report visual · Key figures
Nurse shortage is worsening over time
Forecasts show an accelerating RN shortage through the next decade, driven by retirements and rising demand.
20%
COVID-19 burnout caused 20% of nurses to consider leaving profession in 2022
50%
Aging workforce: 50% of U.S. RNs will retire by 2030, averaging age 52 in 2023
200,000
U.S. RN shortage expected to hit 200,000 by 2026 due to retirements
6%
By 2030, the U.S. will face a shortage of 440,000 RNs, with demand growing 6% annually
5.7
Global nursing shortage projected to reach 5.7 million by 2030, per WHO estimates
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
Nathan Caldwell. (2026, February 13). Nurse Shortage Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nurse-shortage-statistics
MLA
Nathan Caldwell. "Nurse Shortage Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/nurse-shortage-statistics.
Chicago
Nathan Caldwell. 2026. "Nurse Shortage Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nurse-shortage-statistics.
Sources & references
85 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level