Registered nurses are growing in the US and there were 3,332,460 employed as of May 2023, a 6% increase from the year before. Yet the workforce doesn’t look anything like a single, uniform profile, with part time coverage at 24% and rural hospitals seeing vacancy rates 20% higher than urban settings. Let’s connect the dots across demographics, education, licensing, and staffing so the picture of nursing capacity is clearer than it first appears.
Key Takeaways
- 15.2% of RNs are male as of 2023.
- Average age of US RNs is 46 years old in 2022.
- 19.3% of RNs identify as Hispanic or Latino.
- 82% of US nurses hold a BSN or higher degree as of 2023 survey data.
- In 2022, 18.7% of RNs had an associate degree as their highest nursing education.
- Master's degree held by 14.3% of registered nurses in the US in 2022.
- BSN-prepared nurses reduce patient mortality by 6.5 per 1000 discharges.
- Every 10% increase in BSN nurses lowers readmission rates by 4.5%.
- Nurses prevent 87% of medical errors through interventions daily.
- 92% of nurses report high job satisfaction with patient impact.
- Nurse retention improves 12% with mentorship programs.
- 75% of new nurses leave within first year without support.
- CE hours required average 20 per year for license renewal in US., category: Professional Development and Retention
- Mean annual wage for RNs in US was $89,010 as of May 2023.
- Top 10% of RNs earned over $129,400 annually in 2023.
With an aging, growing workforce still dominated by White non-Hispanic nurses, retention and staffing remain critical.
Related reading
01 · Category
Demographics and Diversity22 stats
01
15.2% of RNs are male as of 2023.
02
Average age of US RNs is 46 years old in 2022.
03
19.3% of RNs identify as Hispanic or Latino.
04
Black or African American nurses comprise 9.7% of workforce.
05
Asian nurses make up 10.5% of US RNs.
06
83.1% of nurses are White non-Hispanic.
07
Part-time RNs constitute 24% of the workforce.
08
Rural nurses have 20% higher vacancy rates than urban.
09
56% of nurses are married with children under 18.
10
Female nurses 84.8% of total US nursing workforce.
11
48% of new nurses are under 30 years old.
12
LGBTQ+ nurses represent 6-10% of profession per surveys.
13
Immigrant nurses fill 16% of US RN positions.
14
Veteran nurses 2.5% of total workforce.
15
Disability rate among nurses 12% higher than average workers.
16
35% of nurses work second jobs due to financial pressures.
17
62% of nurses plan to retire by 2030.
18
Native American nurses 0.4% of workforce.
19
27% of nurses have mental health diagnoses.
20
Military nurses 5,000 active duty in US.
21
Language diversity: 22% bilingual in US nursing.
22
Generational: Millennials 52% of nurse workforce.
Interpretation
Demographics and Diversity Interpretation
The US nursing profession is a resilient but strained mosaic, dominated by experienced, predominantly female caregivers who are increasingly diverse yet burdened by financial strain and looming retirements.
02 · Category
Educational Attainment22 stats
01
82% of US nurses hold a BSN or higher degree as of 2023 survey data.
02
In 2022, 18.7% of RNs had an associate degree as their highest nursing education.
03
Master's degree held by 14.3% of registered nurses in the US in 2022.
04
Doctoral degrees (DNP/PhD) comprised 2.7% of RN educational attainment in 2023.
05
Entry-level ADN programs graduated 82,015 new nurses in 2022.
06
BSN programs produced 145,427 graduates in the US in 2022.
07
Average age of RNs entering doctoral programs is 44 years old.
08
NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for BSN graduates was 83.08% in 2022.
09
Internationally, 45% of nurses have bachelor's level education per WHO 2022.
10
89.5% of US registered nurses hold an active license only in one state.
11
12.5% of RNs have multi-state licenses via Nurse Licensure Compact.
12
ADN to BSN completion programs enrolled 16,000 students in 2022.
13
DNP programs graduated 630 new nurses in 2022.
14
PhD nursing programs produced 672 graduates in 2022.
15
Online nursing education accounts for 50% of RN to BSN programs.
16
Faculty vacancy in nursing schools is 7.3% for BSN programs.
17
Nurse Licensure Compact includes 41 states as of 2024.
18
70% of nursing programs report clinical placement shortages.
19
Accelerated BSN programs graduate 12,000 annually.
20
RN to MSN bridge programs enroll 5,500 students yearly.
21
Nurse educator shortage projected 12,000 by 2025.
22
Simulation replaces 25% of clinical hours in curricula.
Interpretation
Educational Attainment Interpretation
Nursing is evolving from a hands-on vocation into a highly educated profession, yet this climb up the academic ladder is paradoxically hindered by a chronic shortage of the very faculty and clinical spots needed to teach the next generation.
03 · Category
Patient Safety and Care24 stats
01
BSN-prepared nurses reduce patient mortality by 6.5 per 1000 discharges.
02
Every 10% increase in BSN nurses lowers readmission rates by 4.5%.
03
Nurses prevent 87% of medical errors through interventions daily.
04
Optimal nurse staffing reduces patient mortality by 7% per patient.
05
Hospital-acquired infections drop 10% with higher RN hours per patient day.
06
Nurses administer 90% of all medications in hospitals.
07
Fall rates decrease by 31% with specialized geriatric nurses.
08
Nurse-led clinics improve chronic disease management by 20% outcomes.
09
US nurses handle 4.3 million patient visits daily on average.
10
Telehealth nursing consultations rose 154% during COVID-19 peak.
11
Pressure ulcers incidence drops 8% with BSN nurses.
12
Nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:4 reduces mortality 9% in ICUs.
13
Sepsis recognition by nurses saves 20% more lives timely.
14
Pain management satisfaction 85% higher with advanced practice nurses.
15
Vaccine administration by nurses reaches 95% coverage rates.
16
Post-op complications fall 15% with dedicated recovery RNs.
17
Mental health screenings by nurses detect 30% more cases.
18
CLABSI rates drop 53% with evidence-based nurse protocols.
19
Nurse-driven protocols reduce CAUTI by 25%.
20
Delirium detection accuracy 80% by trained nurses.
21
Wound care specialists lower amputation rates 40%.
22
Palliative care nurses improve quality scores by 22%.
23
Emergency nurses triage accuracy 95% for high acuity.
24
Pediatric nurses reduce medication errors 18%.
Interpretation
Patient Safety and Care Interpretation
Behind every impressive healthcare statistic, there stands an army of highly skilled nurses who are not just supporting the system but single-handedly propping it up, saving lives, preventing disasters, and making the entire medical machine hum with competence one meticulously administered medication and expertly caught error at a time.
04 · Category
Professional Development and Retention8 stats
01
92% of nurses report high job satisfaction with patient impact.
02
Nurse retention improves 12% with mentorship programs.
03
75% of new nurses leave within first year without support.
04
Leadership roles held by 25% of experienced nurses.
05
Simulation training adoption in nursing schools reached 94% in 2023.
06
Global nurse certification rates stand at 15% for specialties.
07
Wellness programs reduce nurse stress by 28% per studies.
08
68% of nurses pursue certifications for career advancement.
Interpretation
Professional Development and Retention Interpretation
Nursing, a profession held together by the twin pillars of deep satisfaction and sheer necessity, clearly shows that the antidote to its exodus is investment—not just in high-tech mannequins, but in the human beings who operate them.
More related reading
05 · Category
Professional Development and Retention, source url: https://www.ncsbn.org/standards.htm1 stats
01
CE hours required average 20 per year for license renewal in US., category: Professional Development and Retention
Interpretation
Professional Development and Retention, source url: https://www.ncsbn.org/standards.htm Interpretation
Nurses must complete an average of 20 continuing education hours each year to renew their licenses, proving that in healthcare, even experts need homework.
06 · Category
Salary and Benefits25 stats
01
Mean annual wage for RNs in US was $89,010as of May 2023.
02
Top 10% of RNs earned over $129,400 annually in 2023.
03
LPNs median wage was $59,730per year in May 2023.
04
Nurse anesthetists average salary reached $212,650in 2023.
05
Nursing instructors median pay was $84,540in 2023.
06
78% of nurses report burnout impacting compensation satisfaction in 2023.
07
Average signing bonus for travel nurses was $12,000in 2023.
08
UK nurses average salary is £34,581 per year as of 2023.
09
65% of US nurses have access to tuition reimbursement benefits.
10
Nurse practitioners median wage $126,260in May 2023 US data.
11
Average RN salary in California is $133,340,highest state.
12
Hawaii RNs earn median $106,530annually.
13
Lowest RN pay in South Dakota at $67,480median.
14
Travel nurse daily pay averages $2,500in 2023.
15
55% of nurses receive shift differentials averaging 10% pay boost.
16
Pension benefits offered to 62% of hospital nurses.
17
Australia average nurse salary AUD 80,000 per year.
18
Canada RN average hourly wage CAD 40.50.
19
Oregon RNs highest hourly wage at $51.70median.
20
Night shift premium averages 15% over base pay.
21
401(k) matching offered to 71% of nurses.
22
Loan forgiveness via PSLF used by 20% of nurses.
23
Germany nurse salary averages €42,000 yearly.
24
Weekend differentials average 25% pay increase.
25
Charge nurse roles add 10-15% to base salary.
Interpretation
Salary and Benefits Interpretation
While the numbers paint a promising picture—from a nurse anesthetist's enviable $212,650 to California RNs topping $133,340—the stark reality is that a staggering 78% burnout rate proves these salaries are truly earned, not just given.
07 · Category
Workforce Statistics13 stats
01
As of May 2023, there were 3,332,460 registered nurses employed in the United States, representing a 6% growth from 2022.
02
The projected job growth for registered nurses in the US from 2022 to 2032 is 6%, much faster than the average for all occupations.
03
In 2022, 59.4% of registered nurses worked in hospitals, the largest sector for nursing employment.
04
Approximately 18.5% of registered nurses were employed in ambulatory health care services in 2023.
05
Nursing assistants numbered 1,388,760 in the US workforce as of May 2023.
06
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses totaled 657,340 employed in 2023.
07
The nursing workforce vacancy rate in US hospitals reached 17% in 2023.
08
Globally, there were 28 million nurses in 2022 according to WHO estimates.
09
In the EU, nurse density was 8.5 per 1,000 people in 2021.
10
US nurse turnover rate averaged 27.1% across hospitals in 2022.
11
Average RN works 40.2 hours per week in hospitals.
12
Australia nurses number 416,000 in 2022 workforce.
13
India has 2.1 nurses per 1,000 population.
Interpretation
Workforce Statistics Interpretation
While the global demand for nurses swells like a patient's gratitude after a successful discharge, the American healthcare system is simultaneously hiring with one hand and desperately trying to stop a hemorrhage of talent with the other, as evidenced by a workforce growing at 6% yet being drained by a 17% vacancy and 27% turnover rate.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Sophie Moreland. (2026, February 13). Nurse Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nurse-statistics
MLA
Sophie Moreland. "Nurse Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/nurse-statistics.
Chicago
Sophie Moreland. 2026. "Nurse Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nurse-statistics.
Sources & references
41 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level