Nursing shortages affect patients, nurses, and healthcare systems across the United States and beyond, especially where hospital and clinical demand is high. On this page, you’ll see how workforce gaps build—through rising demand for RNs, turnover and burnout, and unsafe staffing levels. We also cover the human and financial consequences for organizations, from operating-cost pressure to policy and funding efforts supporting the health workforce.
Key Takeaways
- 6.6 million healthcare staff shortage in the United States (2022) — estimate of projected workforce shortfall including nurses
- 2022: 124,000 nursing job openings in the U.S. (annual average) — measure of current demand for nurses
- 1.34 times increase in the number of RNs needed in 2020–2030 (U.S.) — projected growth requirement for registered nurses
- Nurses are the largest share of the health workforce in OECD countries, averaging 8.9 nurses per 1,000 population — density indicator used to assess gaps
- RNs accounted for 61% of health workforce shortages reported in the UK (2021–2022 surveys) — share of shortage tied to nursing staff
- Global nurse and midwife turnover was reported at 15% in 2022 (systematic reviews) — measured attrition rate driving shortages
- Nurse burnout prevalence averaged 44% in a 2021 meta-analysis — exhaustion/depersonalization contributing to staffing instability
- In a 2022 cohort study, intention to leave among nurses was 31% — measured driver of ongoing shortages
- Nursing Workforce projections: U.S. RN employment increased by 5.2% from 2020 to 2023 (BLS Employment) — employment trend used to contextualize shortages
- $200 million Nursing Workforce Development grants (FY 2024) — program funding amount intended to address shortages
- WHO Member States committed to invest in health workforce via WHO Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health (timeline 2016–2030) — policy investment framework
- $18.3 billion annual cost of nurse turnover in the U.S. (2022 estimate) — economic burden associated with staffing shortages
- $12.8 billion cost of avoidable turnover (U.S. hospitals) — estimate of economic loss related to nurse staffing instability
- $14.1 billion estimated cost due to nurse staffing shortages in the U.S. healthcare sector (2019–2021 analysis) — aggregated financial impact
- In 2022, 77% of nurses reported staffing levels were unsafe for patient care (survey) — prevalence of unsafe staffing
The U.S. faces major nurse shortages, driven by unsafe staffing, burnout, and high turnover risks.
Related reading
01 · Category
Health Outcomes12 stats
01
In 2022, 77% of nurses reported staffing levels were unsafe for patient care (survey) — prevalence of unsafe staffing
02
In a large systematic review, each additional patient per nurse on a typical shift was associated with increased mortality risk by 7% — outcome impact of staffing
03
A 2002 study found higher nurse staffing was associated with a 10% reduction in surgical patient mortality — quantified outcomes relation
04
In hospital settings with higher nurse-to-patient ratios, 30-day mortality was lower by 1.4% (meta-analytic estimate) — measurable outcome differential
05
Missed nursing care was reported to occur for 49% of patients on average (study measurement) — operational consequence of shortages
06
Nurse staffing shortages are associated with 11% higher risk of falls (systematic review estimate) — patient safety outcome
07
Healthcare-associated infections increased by 5% where nurse staffing was below recommended levels (study estimate) — measured infection outcome link
08
In a 2018 study, inadequate staffing was associated with a 20% increase in medication errors — patient safety outcome measure
09
Patient satisfaction scores were 0.2 standard deviations lower in hospitals with higher nurse staffing strain (analysis) — care experience impact
10
Every 0.25 increase in nurse-to-patient ratio was associated with reduced failure-to-rescue mortality by 2% (analysis) — quantified staffing-outcome link
11
Inadequate nurse staffing was associated with 1.6 times higher odds of pressure ulcers (meta-analysis) — quantified outcome risk
12
ICU mortality increased by 3% when nurse staffing levels fell below benchmarks (observational evidence) — measured outcome impact
Interpretation
Health Outcomes Interpretation
From a health outcomes perspective, the evidence consistently links unsafe or understaffed nursing with worse patient results, including a 7% rise in mortality risk for each additional patient per nurse, a 1.4% lower 30-day mortality with better nurse-to-patient ratios, and an 11% higher risk of falls when staffing shortages occur.
02 · Category
Economic Impact10 stats
01
$18.3 billion annual cost of nurse turnover in the U.S. (2022 estimate) — economic burden associated with staffing shortages
02
$12.8 billion cost of avoidable turnover (U.S. hospitals) — estimate of economic loss related to nurse staffing instability
03
$14.1 billion estimated cost due to nurse staffing shortages in the U.S. healthcare sector (2019–2021 analysis) — aggregated financial impact
04
23% of hospitals reported that staffing shortages have increased operating costs (survey, 2022) — cost impact share
05
Nursing-sensitive adverse events can increase hospital costs by $4,000–$10,000 per case (peer-reviewed cost estimates) — cost burden linked to inadequate staffing
06
Excess length of stay attributable to inadequate staffing averaged 1.2 days in a meta-analysis — measurable cost driver
07
In the U.S., vacancy-related labor cost premiums reached 9% in 2023 for affected units (survey) — wage premium linked to shortages
08
Patient readmission risk increased by 7% in studies with lower nurse staffing levels — economic impact linked to quality outcomes
09
A 10% increase in nurse overtime is associated with a 2% increase in adverse patient outcomes (systematic evidence) — quantified adverse outcome mechanism
10
$1.6 billion: estimated annual cost of preventable infections associated with nurse staffing deficits (U.S. modeling) — cost tied to shortages
Interpretation
Economic Impact Interpretation
Across the U.S. healthcare system, nurse staffing shortages drive tens of billions of dollars in economic harm, including about $18.3 billion in annual costs from nurse turnover in 2022 and an estimated $14.1 billion cost burden in 2019 to 2021, with survey data showing 23% of hospitals report higher operating costs as staffing shortfalls tighten budgets.
03 · Category
Outcomes & Safety6 stats
01
2.3% absolute increase in 30-day mortality for patients cared for in hospitals with lower nurse staffing levels (meta-analysis, 2014)—patient safety outcome differential
02
19% higher risk of hospital-acquired pressure injuries in settings with lower nurse-to-patient ratios (systematic review, 2021)—safety outcome association
03
16% higher odds of urinary tract infection where nurse staffing is below recommended levels (meta-analysis, 2019)—infection outcome link
04
0.9% higher incidence of sepsis in hospital units with nurse staffing shortfalls (retrospective cohort, 2020)—clinical outcome impact
05
1.5% absolute increase in inpatient mortality associated with staffing shortfalls in specialty units (administrative claims analysis, 2017)—mortality outcome metric
06
18% higher odds of medication administration errors in hospitals with nurse staffing shortages (systematic review, 2020)—medication safety outcome
Interpretation
Outcomes & Safety Interpretation
Overall, the evidence in the Outcomes and Safety category shows that when nurse staffing falls short, preventable patient harms rise across multiple outcomes, including a 2.3% absolute increase in 30-day mortality and up to 18% higher odds of medication administration errors.
More related reading
04 · Category
Workforce Drivers4 stats
01
Global nurse and midwife turnover was reported at 15% in 2022 (systematic reviews) — measured attrition rate driving shortages
02
Nurse burnout prevalence averaged 44% in a 2021 meta-analysis — exhaustion/depersonalization contributing to staffing instability
03
In a 2022 cohort study, intention to leave among nurses was 31% — measured driver of ongoing shortages
04
In the U.S., projected retirements imply a need to replace large numbers of RNs over 2020–2030 (HRSA nursing workforce projections) — workforce replenishment driver
Interpretation
Workforce Drivers Interpretation
Workforce drivers are intensifying shortages as nurse turnover reached 15% in 2022, burnout averaged 44% in 2021, and 31% of nurses reported an intention to leave in a 2022 cohort study, alongside large projected RN retirements in the United States through 2030.
05 · Category
Retention & Burnout4 stats
01
44.6% of nurse respondents reported burnout symptoms at levels consistent with high risk (2022)—workforce stress level associated with shortages
02
31% of nurses reported intent to leave their position within the next 12 months (2022 cohort study)—retention metric for shortage persistence
03
27% of nurses reported they had experienced workplace violence in the past year (2022)—a retention threat linked to staffing strain
04
36% of nurses reported that they would be more likely to stay if staffing ratios improved (2022 survey)—reported retention dependence on staffing
Interpretation
Retention & Burnout Interpretation
In the Retention and Burnout category, the data show a clear retention risk driven by high distress, with 44.6% of nurses reporting burnout at high risk levels and 31% planning to leave within 12 months.
06 · Category
Industry Overview13 stats
01
$2,250average incremental cost per patient associated with nurse staffing shortfalls (2019–2021 U.S. hospital analysis)—direct financial impact per case
02
9.2% higher total hospital cost for units with higher reliance on agency nurses (2022)—cost impact associated with shortage mitigation strategy
03
5.6% increase in Medicare expenditures linked to hospital staffing shortfalls (U.S. administrative data analysis, 2020)—payer cost impact
04
$7,800incremental cost per surgical patient when nurse staffing is below recommended thresholds (systematic review estimate, 2020)—case-level cost sensitivity
05
1.34 times increase in the number of RNs needed in 2020–2030 (U.S.) — projected growth requirement for registered nurses
06
Nurses are the largest share of the health workforce in OECD countries, averaging 8.9 nurses per 1,000 population — density indicator used to assess gaps
07
RNs accounted for 61% of health workforce shortages reported in the UK (2021–2022 surveys) — share of shortage tied to nursing staff
08
Nursing Workforce projections: U.S. RN employment increased by 5.2% from 2020 to 2023 (BLS Employment) — employment trend used to contextualize shortages
09
$200 million Nursing Workforce Development grants (FY 2024) — program funding amount intended to address shortages
10
WHO Member States committed to invest in health workforce via WHO Global Strategy on Human Resources for Health (timeline 2016–2030) — policy investment framework
11
6.6 million healthcare staff shortage in the United States (2022) — estimate of projected workforce shortfall including nurses
12
2022: 124,000 nursing job openings in the U.S. (annual average) — measure of current demand for nurses
13
40% of nurse respondents reported their facilities were short of registered nurses (2022)—reported prevalence of RN shortages among hospital staff
Interpretation
Industry Overview Interpretation
Across the Industry Overview data, nurse staffing shortfalls are tied to measurable cost increases, including a 9.2% higher total hospital cost where agency nurses are relied on, while the U.S. also faces a 1.34-fold rise in RN staffing needs by 2030, underscoring that shortages are both financially costly today and a growing structural challenge.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Margot Villeneuve. (2026, February 13). Nursing Shortages Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nursing-shortages-statistics
MLA
Margot Villeneuve. "Nursing Shortages Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/nursing-shortages-statistics.
Chicago
Margot Villeneuve. 2026. "Nursing Shortages Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/nursing-shortages-statistics.
Sources & references
49 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+26 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)