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
1The average annual salary for RNs in California was $124,000 in 2023, highest in the nation
Verified2Average RN hourly wage was $41.50 nationally in May 2023
Verified3Median RN salary in Texas was $79,120 in 2023
Verified4Average nurse-to-patient ratio in medical-surgical units was 1:5.6 in 2022
Directional5RNs in outpatient care centers earn median $86,070 annually in 2023
Single source6Average overtime hours for nurses increased 15% post-2020 to 5.2 hours/week in 2023
Verified7RNs in home health services earn $81,130 median in 2023
Verified8Night shift nurses report 20% higher burnout rates than day shift in 2023
Verified9RNs in nursing/residential care facilities earn $75,510 median in 2023
Directional10Average benefits package for RNs valued at $25,000 annually in 2023
Single source11Travel nurses earned average $120/hour peak in 2022, now $55/hour in 2023
Verified12Unionized nurses earn 10-15% higher wages on average in 2023
Verified13RNs working 12-hour shifts report 18% higher error rates in 2023 study
Verified14Sign-on bonuses for RNs averaged $15,000 in 2023
Directional15RNs in physician offices earn $74,870 median annually 2023
Single source16Weekend staffing shortages affect 68% of hospitals per 2023 data
Verified17Mental health support offered to 55% of nurses post-COVID in 2023
Verified18RNs in government settings earn $90,450 median 2023
Verified19Violence against nurses reported by 48% in hospitals 2023
Directional2070% of nurses want flexible scheduling options in 2023 surveys
Single sourceCompensation 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
1As of 2023, 82% of the U.S. nursing workforce identified as White, while 11% were Black or African American
Verified2The median age of registered nurses in the U.S. was 46 years in 2022, up from 44 in 2018
Verified3In 2023, 9.1% of U.S. registered nurses were male, a slight increase from 8.5% in 2018
Verified418% of RNs aged 55+ plan to retire within 5 years as of 2023
Directional5Hispanic or Latino nurses comprised 7.2% of the U.S. workforce in 2022
Single source6Asian nurses made up 9.5% of U.S. RNs in 2022
Verified755-64 age group represents 31% of U.S. RNs in 2023
Verified8Native American/Alaska Native nurses are only 0.4% of workforce despite 2% population share in 2022
Verified930-39 age group is 25% of U.S. RN workforce in 2023
Directional10Multi-racial nurses comprise 2.1% of U.S. workforce in 2022
Single source11Under 30 age group is 10% of RNs in 2023
Verified1265+ age group is 13% of U.S. RNs, posing retirement risks in 2023
Verified13Black nurses are 9.1% despite 13.6% U.S. population in 2022
Verified1440-49 age group comprises 28% of RN workforce in 2023
Directional15Male RNs grew from 6.6% in 2008 to 9.1% in 2022
Single source1650+ age group is 52% of U.S. nurses in 2023
Verified17Hispanic RNs increased 3% from 2018 to 2022 to 7.2%
Verified18Underrepresented minorities are 26% of RN workforce in 2023
Verified1920-29 age cohort is 12% of RNs, lowest recruitment group in 2023
Directional20Pacific Islander nurses are 0.2% of workforce in 2022
Single source21Average RN retirement age is 62 years in 2023 surveys
Verified22Foreign-educated nurses are 16% of U.S. RNs in 2023
Verified23LGBTQ+ nurses report 15% higher discrimination rates in 2022 survey
Verified24Nurse practitioners are 11% of advanced practice workforce in 2023
DirectionalDemographics 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
1In 2022, 89% of U.S. RNs held a bachelor's degree or higher, up from 56% in 2010
Verified265% of new RNs graduated from BSN programs in 2022
Verified3Entry-level RN pass rate on NCLEX was 86.7% in 2022
Verified493% of employers prefer BSN-prepared nurses in 2023 surveys
Directional5Master's degree held by 14.2% of RNs in 2022
Single source6DNP/PhD holders are 2.8% of RNs in 2023
Verified7Associate degree remains entry for 40% of new RNs despite push for BSN in 2022
Verified875% of nursing programs reported faculty shortages in 2023
Verified9Generic BSN programs graduated 95,000 students in 2022
Directional10Accelerated BSN programs produced 16,000 graduates in 2022
Single source11RN-to-BSN completion programs enrolled 150,000 students in 2022
Verified12Entry-level ADN programs had 82% NCLEX pass rate in 2022
Verified13Master's in nursing graduates reached 35,000 in 2022
Verified14DNP programs graduated 8,000 nurses in 2022
Directional15BSN programs faced 8.5% vacancy in faculty positions in 2023
Single source16RN licensure by endorsement issued to 300,000 nurses in 2022
Verified17Online RN-to-BSN programs enrolled 40% of students in 2022
Verified18APRN programs produced 27,000 graduates in 2022
Verified19Simulation used in 95% of nursing schools for training in 2023
Directional20Clinical nurse specialist graduates 4,500 annually average 2022
Single sourceEducation 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
1In 2022, approximately 3.1 million registered nurses were employed in the United States, representing a 6% increase from 2018
Verified256% of U.S. RNs worked in hospitals in 2022, the largest employment setting
Verified362% of RNs work full-time, while 38% are part-time or per diem in 2023
Verified4In 2023, 1.13 million LPNs/LVNs were employed in the U.S.
Directional576% of U.S. nurses are RNs, 24% LPNs or other roles in 2022
Single source642 states had RN vacancy rates over 10% in hospitals by 2023
Verified7Florida employed 208,000 RNs in 2022, third highest state
Verified8New York had 188,000 RNs employed in 2022
Verified9Texas RNs numbered 195,000 in 2022
Directional10Pennsylvania employed 142,000 RNs in 2022
Single source11Ohio had 126,000 RNs in 2022
Verified12Illinois RN employment at 121,000 in 2022
Verified13Michigan had 110,000 RNs employed in 2022
Verified14North Carolina RNs at 105,000 in 2022
Directional15Georgia employed 98,000 RNs in 2022
Single source16Massachusetts RN employment 97,000 in 2022
Verified17New Jersey had 92,000 RNs in 2022
Verified18Virginia RNs numbered 88,000 in 2022
Verified19Washington state RNs at 85,000 in 2022
Directional20Arizona employed 82,000 RNs in 2022
Single source21Maryland RNs at 80,000 in 2022
Verified2250 states have nurse licensure compacts covering 40 states in 2023
Verified23Wisconsin RN employment 80,000 in 2022
Verified24Colorado had 77,000 RNs in 2022
Directional25Missouri RNs 75,000 employed 2022
Single sourceEmployment 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
145% of U.S. nurses reported burnout in 2022, linked to high workload during COVID-19
Verified2By 2030, the U.S. will need 1.2 million new RNs to replace retirees and meet demand
Verified3Nurse turnover rate in U.S. hospitals averaged 27.5% in 2022
Verified420% of U.S. RNs reported considering leaving the profession due to stress in 2023 survey
Directional5Hospital RN vacancy rates reached 17% in 2023
Single source6Projected RN shortage of 193,100 by 2030 in U.S.
Verified725% of RNs changed jobs in the past year due to better pay in 2023
Verified815% vacancy rate for critical care nurses in 2023
Verified932% of hospitals reported worsening nurse shortages in 2023
Directional10LPN turnover rate was 22% in long-term care in 2022
Single source1144% of new nurses leave within first year due to workload in 2023 studies
Verified12Rural areas face 20% higher RN vacancy rates than urban in 2023
Verified1360% of nurses cited inadequate staffing as top retention issue in 2023
Verified14Projected 450,000 RN openings annually through 2031
Directional15Long-term care facilities have 25% LPN vacancy rate in 2023
Single source1635% of nurses plan to leave profession in next 2 years per 2023 survey
Verified17Nurse residency programs retain 89% of new grads vs 75% without in 2023
Verified18ICU nurse turnover hit 26% in 2022
Verified19Loan forgiveness programs retained 70% of rural nurses in 2023
Directional20Pediatric nurse vacancy rates 22% in children's hospitals 2023
Single source2186% of RNs satisfied with career choice despite challenges in 2023
VerifiedRetention 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.
Sources & References
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