While the U.S. nursing workforce grew to over 3 million strong in 2022, a closer look reveals critical fault lines beneath the surface that threaten the very foundation of our healthcare system.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, approximately 3.1 million registered nurses were employed in the United States, representing a 6% increase from 2018
- 56% of U.S. RNs worked in hospitals in 2022, the largest employment setting
- 62% of RNs work full-time, while 38% are part-time or per diem in 2023
- As of 2023, 82% of the U.S. nursing workforce identified as White, while 11% were Black or African American
- The median age of registered nurses in the U.S. was 46 years in 2022, up from 44 in 2018
- In 2023, 9.1% of U.S. registered nurses were male, a slight increase from 8.5% in 2018
- The average annual salary for RNs in California was $124,000 in 2023, highest in the nation
- Average RN hourly wage was $41.50 nationally in May 2023
- Median RN salary in Texas was $79,120 in 2023
- 45% of U.S. nurses reported burnout in 2022, linked to high workload during COVID-19
- By 2030, the U.S. will need 1.2 million new RNs to replace retirees and meet demand
- Nurse turnover rate in U.S. hospitals averaged 27.5% in 2022
- In 2022, 89% of U.S. RNs held a bachelor's degree or higher, up from 56% in 2010
- 65% of new RNs graduated from BSN programs in 2022
- Entry-level RN pass rate on NCLEX was 86.7% in 2022
The U.S. nursing workforce is aging, burned out, and insufficient to meet growing demand.
Compensation and Work Conditions
- The average annual salary for RNs in California was $124,000 in 2023, highest in the nation
- Average RN hourly wage was $41.50 nationally in May 2023
- Median RN salary in Texas was $79,120 in 2023
- Average nurse-to-patient ratio in medical-surgical units was 1:5.6 in 2022
- RNs in outpatient care centers earn median $86,070 annually in 2023
- Average overtime hours for nurses increased 15% post-2020 to 5.2 hours/week in 2023
- RNs in home health services earn $81,130 median in 2023
- Night shift nurses report 20% higher burnout rates than day shift in 2023
- RNs in nursing/residential care facilities earn $75,510 median in 2023
- Average benefits package for RNs valued at $25,000 annually in 2023
- Travel nurses earned average $120/hour peak in 2022, now $55/hour in 2023
- Unionized nurses earn 10-15% higher wages on average in 2023
- RNs working 12-hour shifts report 18% higher error rates in 2023 study
- Sign-on bonuses for RNs averaged $15,000 in 2023
- RNs in physician offices earn $74,870 median annually 2023
- Weekend staffing shortages affect 68% of hospitals per 2023 data
- Mental health support offered to 55% of nurses post-COVID in 2023
- RNs in government settings earn $90,450 median 2023
- Violence against nurses reported by 48% in hospitals 2023
- 70% of nurses want flexible scheduling options in 2023 surveys
Compensation and Work Conditions Interpretation
In California, RNs are riding the sunshine to a $124,000 salary, yet even their generous pay can't fully brighten the grim reality of widespread burnout, dangerous understaffing, and the emotional toll of a system where nearly half face violence and most crave a more humane schedule.
Demographics
- As of 2023, 82% of the U.S. nursing workforce identified as White, while 11% were Black or African American
- The median age of registered nurses in the U.S. was 46 years in 2022, up from 44 in 2018
- In 2023, 9.1% of U.S. registered nurses were male, a slight increase from 8.5% in 2018
- 18% of RNs aged 55+ plan to retire within 5 years as of 2023
- Hispanic or Latino nurses comprised 7.2% of the U.S. workforce in 2022
- Asian nurses made up 9.5% of U.S. RNs in 2022
- 55-64 age group represents 31% of U.S. RNs in 2023
- Native American/Alaska Native nurses are only 0.4% of workforce despite 2% population share in 2022
- 30-39 age group is 25% of U.S. RN workforce in 2023
- Multi-racial nurses comprise 2.1% of U.S. workforce in 2022
- Under 30 age group is 10% of RNs in 2023
- 65+ age group is 13% of U.S. RNs, posing retirement risks in 2023
- Black nurses are 9.1% despite 13.6% U.S. population in 2022
- 40-49 age group comprises 28% of RN workforce in 2023
- Male RNs grew from 6.6% in 2008 to 9.1% in 2022
- 50+ age group is 52% of U.S. nurses in 2023
- Hispanic RNs increased 3% from 2018 to 2022 to 7.2%
- Underrepresented minorities are 26% of RN workforce in 2023
- 20-29 age cohort is 12% of RNs, lowest recruitment group in 2023
- Pacific Islander nurses are 0.2% of workforce in 2022
- Average RN retirement age is 62 years in 2023 surveys
- Foreign-educated nurses are 16% of U.S. RNs in 2023
- LGBTQ+ nurses report 15% higher discrimination rates in 2022 survey
- Nurse practitioners are 11% of advanced practice workforce in 2023
Demographics Interpretation
The nursing workforce is a greying fortress with alarmingly low drawbridge activity, creating a demographic moat that both fails to reflect the nation it serves and threatens to leave it critically under-defended.
Education and Qualifications
- In 2022, 89% of U.S. RNs held a bachelor's degree or higher, up from 56% in 2010
- 65% of new RNs graduated from BSN programs in 2022
- Entry-level RN pass rate on NCLEX was 86.7% in 2022
- 93% of employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses in 2023 surveys
- Master's degree held by 14.2% of RNs in 2022
- DNP/PhD holders are 2.8% of RNs in 2023
- Associate degree remains entry for 40% of new RNs despite push for BSN in 2022
- 75% of nursing programs reported faculty shortages in 2023
- Generic BSN programs graduated 95,000 students in 2022
- Accelerated BSN programs produced 16,000 graduates in 2022
- RN-to-BSN completion programs enrolled 150,000 students in 2022
- Entry-level ADN programs had 82% NCLEX pass rate in 2022
- Master's in nursing graduates reached 35,000 in 2022
- DNP programs graduated 8,000 nurses in 2022
- BSN programs faced 8.5% vacancy in faculty positions in 2023
- RN licensure by endorsement issued to 300,000 nurses in 2022
- Online RN-to-BSN programs enrolled 40% of students in 2022
- APRN programs produced 27,000 graduates in 2022
- Simulation used in 95% of nursing schools for training in 2023
- Clinical nurse specialist graduates 4,500 annually average 2022
Education and Qualifications Interpretation
The nursing profession is diligently educating itself into a corner, raising academic standards sky-high while simultaneously struggling to find enough professors to teach the next generation.
Employment Statistics
- In 2022, approximately 3.1 million registered nurses were employed in the United States, representing a 6% increase from 2018
- 56% of U.S. RNs worked in hospitals in 2022, the largest employment setting
- 62% of RNs work full-time, while 38% are part-time or per diem in 2023
- In 2023, 1.13 million LPNs/LVNs were employed in the U.S.
- 76% of U.S. nurses are RNs, 24% LPNs or other roles in 2022
- 42 states had RN vacancy rates over 10% in hospitals by 2023
- Florida employed 208,000 RNs in 2022, third highest state
- New York had 188,000 RNs employed in 2022
- Texas RNs numbered 195,000 in 2022
- Pennsylvania employed 142,000 RNs in 2022
- Ohio had 126,000 RNs in 2022
- Illinois RN employment at 121,000 in 2022
- Michigan had 110,000 RNs employed in 2022
- North Carolina RNs at 105,000 in 2022
- Georgia employed 98,000 RNs in 2022
- Massachusetts RN employment 97,000 in 2022
- New Jersey had 92,000 RNs in 2022
- Virginia RNs numbered 88,000 in 2022
- Washington state RNs at 85,000 in 2022
- Arizona employed 82,000 RNs in 2022
- Maryland RNs at 80,000 in 2022
- 50 states have nurse licensure compacts covering 40 states in 2023
- Wisconsin RN employment 80,000 in 2022
- Colorado had 77,000 RNs in 2022
- Missouri RNs 75,000 employed 2022
Employment Statistics Interpretation
While the nursing workforce is growing in number, with over 3 million dedicated RNs holding the line, the stubbornly high vacancy rates in most states prove we're still trying to fill a bathtub with a thimble.
Retention and Shortages
- 45% of U.S. nurses reported burnout in 2022, linked to high workload during COVID-19
- By 2030, the U.S. will need 1.2 million new RNs to replace retirees and meet demand
- Nurse turnover rate in U.S. hospitals averaged 27.5% in 2022
- 20% of U.S. RNs reported considering leaving the profession due to stress in 2023 survey
- Hospital RN vacancy rates reached 17% in 2023
- Projected RN shortage of 193,100 by 2030 in U.S.
- 25% of RNs changed jobs in the past year due to better pay in 2023
- 15% vacancy rate for critical care nurses in 2023
- 32% of hospitals reported worsening nurse shortages in 2023
- LPN turnover rate was 22% in long-term care in 2022
- 44% of new nurses leave within first year due to workload in 2023 studies
- Rural areas face 20% higher RN vacancy rates than urban in 2023
- 60% of nurses cited inadequate staffing as top retention issue in 2023
- Projected 450,000 RN openings annually through 2031
- Long-term care facilities have 25% LPN vacancy rate in 2023
- 35% of nurses plan to leave profession in next 2 years per 2023 survey
- Nurse residency programs retain 89% of new grads vs 75% without in 2023
- ICU nurse turnover hit 26% in 2022
- Loan forgiveness programs retained 70% of rural nurses in 2023
- Pediatric nurse vacancy rates 22% in children's hospitals 2023
- 86% of RNs satisfied with career choice despite challenges in 2023
Retention and Shortages Interpretation
We are trying to outrun a nursing shortage with one foot already caught in a bear trap of burnout, high turnover, and vacant positions, yet somehow the heart of the profession still beats strongly for the 86% who would choose it again.
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