While over 3.5 million registered nurses form the backbone of American healthcare, their story is told not just in their staggering numbers but in the profound impact and complex realities hidden within the statistics of this vital profession.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, approximately 3.5 million registered nurses were employed in the United States
- Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations
- There were 193,100 job openings for registered nurses annually projected through 2032
- As of 2022, 87.4% of registered nurses in the US were female
- The average age of employed registered nurses in the US was 46 years in 2022
- 18.5% of registered nurses were aged 65 or older in 2020
- The median annual wage for registered nurses in May 2023 was $86,070
- In California, the highest paying state, registered nurses earned a mean annual wage of $133,340 in 2023
- Registered nurses in outpatient care centers earned a median wage of $94,480 in 2023
- In 2023, about 59% of registered nurses held a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) or higher
- The NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for US-educated candidates was 87.9% in 2023
- 45% of new RNs graduated from BSN programs in 2023, up from 40% in 2010
- Registered nurses provided care to an estimated 4.2 billion patient encounters annually in US hospitals in 2022
- Over 80% of registered nurses report experiencing workplace violence in 2022 surveys
- Nurse-to-patient ratios averaged 1:5 in medical-surgical units in US hospitals in 2022
The nursing workforce faces a shortage despite high demand, requiring more professionals to meet growing patient needs.
Demographics
1As of 2022, 87.4% of registered nurses in the US were female
Verified2The average age of employed registered nurses in the US was 46 years in 2022
Verified318.5% of registered nurses were aged 65 or older in 2020
Verified4Hispanic or Latino registered nurses made up 9.1% of the workforce in 2022
Directional5Black or African American RNs comprised 7.8% of the US nursing workforce in 2022
Single source6Asian RNs represented 9.7% of the workforce in 2022
Verified7White non-Hispanic RNs were 75.4% of the workforce in 2022
Verified8Male RNs increased to 12.6% of the workforce in 2022 from 9.6% in 2013
Verified9RNs aged 30-39 made up 28% of the workforce in 2022
Directional10Multi-racial RNs were 2.3% of workforce in 2022
Single source11RNs with 20+ years experience were 31% of workforce in 2022
Verified12Native American/Alaska Native RNs were 0.5% of workforce in 2022
Verified13RNs under 30 years old were 9% of workforce in 2022
Verified14Pacific Islander RNs comprised 0.4% in 2022
Directional15Rural RNs were 15% of workforce despite serving 20% population 2022
Single source16RNs with military background 2.1% of total in 2022
Verified17LGBTQ+ RNs estimated at 5-10% self-identified in 2022 surveys
Verified18Baby boomer RN retirements projected 300,000 by 2025
Verified19Foreign-educated RNs 16% of workforce in 2022
Directional20RNs aged 50-64 42% of workforce 2022
Single source21RNs with disabilities 4.2% self-reported in 2022
Verified22RN workforce diversity index improved 5% 2016-2022
Verified23RNs in academia 10% of total employed 2022
Verified24RNs aged 40-49 25% workforce 2022
DirectionalDemographics Interpretation
The US nursing workforce remains a predominantly white, middle-aged, and female profession with a growing but still small number of men and a glaring shortage of young recruits, which threatens to turn a current demographic bulge into a future crisis of experience as hundreds of thousands of baby boomers prepare to retire.
Education
1In 2023, about 59% of registered nurses held a bachelor's degree in nursing (BSN) or higher
Verified2The NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate for US-educated candidates was 87.9% in 2023
Verified345% of new RNs graduated from BSN programs in 2023, up from 40% in 2010
Verified4Associate degree nursing programs produced 38% of new RNs in 2023
Directional576% of RNs pursued further education within 10 years of licensure in 2023 data
Single source6Diploma programs accounted for less than 1% of RN education in 2023
Verified788% of employers prefer BSN-prepared RNs for entry-level positions in 2023
Verified8RN-to-BSN completion programs graduated 50,000 nurses in 2023
Verified9MSN-prepared RNs held 12% of positions in 2023
Directional10Accelerated BSN programs enrolled 15% of students in 2023
Single source11PhD-prepared RNs were 1.7% of faculty in 2023
Verified12Generic BSN programs awarded 140,000 degrees in 2023
Verified13RN bridge programs from LPN to RN enrolled 20,000 in 2023
Verified14DNP programs graduated 7,000 nurses in 2023
Directional15Post-licensure certification held by 35% RNs in 2023
Single source16Simulation training in RN programs reached 90% adoption 2023
Verified17Online RN programs 25% of enrollments in 2023
Verified18Clinical nurse leader MSN programs 150 schools in 2023
Verified19APRN pathways pursued by 20% RNs within 5 years licensure 2023
Directional20Nursing simulation centers in 95% BSN programs 2023
Single source21Informatics certification 10,000 RNs held 2023
Verified22Nurse residency programs in 40% hospitals 2023
Verified23Leadership MSN tracks 30% of graduate enrollments 2023
VerifiedEducation Interpretation
The nursing profession is clearly treating education like a critical patient, aggressively transfusing it with BSNs and higher degrees to ensure the field's vital signs remain strong, resilient, and increasingly sophisticated.
Employment
1In 2023, approximately 3.5 million registered nurses were employed in the United States
Verified2Employment of registered nurses is projected to grow 6% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations
Verified3There were 193,100 job openings for registered nurses annually projected through 2032
Verified462% of hospitals reported registered nurse shortages in 2023
Directional5Full-time RN employment averaged 1,874 hours per year in 2022
Single source63.18 million RNs were actively licensed in the US in 2023
Verified755% of RNs worked in hospitals in 2022
Verified8Projected RN shortage of 193,100 per year through 2031
Verified91.2 million RN jobs added since 2019 due to healthcare expansion
Directional10Part-time RNs comprised 27% of employed nurses in 2022
Single source11Ambulatory RN employment grew 9% from 2019-2023
Verified12Home health RNs numbered 430,000 in 2023
Verified13Critical care RN employment reached 400,000 in 2023
Verified14Nursing home RNs totaled 250,000 employed in 2023
Directional15School nurse RN positions grew 4% yearly 2020-2023
Single source16Psychiatric RN employment hit 180,000 in 2023
Verified17Government-employed RNs 12% of total in 2023
Verified18Operating room RNs numbered 250,000 in 2023
Verified19Emergency department RNs 200,000 strong in 2023
Directional20Public health RNs increased 12% post-COVID 2023
Single source21Pediatric RN specialty 50,000 employed 2023
Verified22Occupational health RNs 30,000 in 2023
Verified23Aesthetic RNs grew 20% 2020-2023
Verified24Forensic RNs 5,000 certified 2023
DirectionalEmployment Interpretation
Even as the national count of employed nurses remains robust at roughly 3.5 million, their ranks are being stretched thin like a worn-out bandage, with a persistent 62% of hospitals reporting shortages and an annual chasm of nearly 200,000 open positions that the current 6% growth rate seems woefully inadequate to fill.
Practice
1Registered nurses provided care to an estimated 4.2 billion patient encounters annually in US hospitals in 2022
Verified2Over 80% of registered nurses report experiencing workplace violence in 2022 surveys
Verified3Nurse-to-patient ratios averaged 1:5 in medical-surgical units in US hospitals in 2022
Verified4Registered nurses administered over 90% of medications in hospitals in 2022 studies
Directional5RNs reduced hospital readmission rates by 15% through care coordination in 2022 trials
Single source6RN burnout rates reached 62% during the COVID-19 peak in 2021-2022
Verified7RNs conducted 75% of patient assessments in ambulatory settings in 2022
Verified8Evidence-based practice adoption by RNs improved outcomes by 23% in 2022 studies
Verified9RN-led clinics reduced ER visits by 30% in community settings 2022
Directional10RN documentation errors dropped 40% with EHR implementation by 2022
Single source11RN telehealth visits increased 38-fold from 2019 to 2023
Verified12RN infection control measures prevented 1.7 million HAIs in 2022
Verified13RN pain management improved patient satisfaction scores by 25% in 2022
Verified14RN discharge planning reduced readmissions 20% in 2022 CMS data
Directional15RN-led quality improvement cut CAUTI rates 50% in ICUs 2022
Single source16RN wellness programs lowered turnover 18% in 2022 studies
Verified17RN palliative care consultations grew 25% yearly 2020-2023
Verified18RN hand hygiene compliance 95% target met in 70% hospitals 2022
Verified19RN fall prevention protocols reduced incidents 30% 2022
Directional20RN sepsis bundle compliance 82% nationally 2022
Single source21RN medication reconciliation errors reduced 45% 2022
Verified22RN CLABSI prevention success 90% reduction since 2008 to 2022
Verified23RN ventilator-associated pneumonia down 68% 2015-2022
VerifiedPractice Interpretation
Despite being stretched thinner than a dollar-store bandage and facing more violence than a gladiator, America's nurses are still the miraculous glue holding together a healthcare system whose cracks they are simultaneously trying to seal, reduce, improve, and disinfect.
Salary
1The median annual wage for registered nurses in May 2023 was $86,070
Verified2In California, the highest paying state, registered nurses earned a mean annual wage of $133,340 in 2023
Verified3Registered nurses in outpatient care centers earned a median wage of $94,480 in 2023
Verified4The top 10% of registered nurses earned more than $132,680 annually in 2023
Directional5Entry-level RN salaries averaged $68,000 in 2023 for BSN graduates
Single source6RNs in general medical and surgical hospitals earned $93,550 median in 2023
Verified7RNs with DNP degrees earned 20% more than BSN-prepared in 2023 surveys
Verified8Overnight shift RNs earned 15% premium pay averaging $105,000 in 2023
Verified9RN salaries in New York averaged $104,570 in 2023
Directional10Unionized RNs earned 10-15% higher wages in 2023 data
Single source11RN overtime pay averaged $50/hour in hospitals 2023
Verified12RNs in physician offices earned $82,750 median 2023
Verified13Travel RN contracts paid average $120,000 annually in 2023
Verified14RN bonuses averaged $10,000 sign-on in 2023 shortages
Directional15RN night differential pay 10-20% above base in 2023
Single source16RN education reimbursement used by 40% employers 2023
Verified17RN average benefits package worth $30,000 yearly 2023
Verified18RN per diem rates $60-80/hour in urban areas 2023
Verified19RN 401k matching average 4% employer contribution 2023
Directional20RN holiday pay 1.5-2x base rate standard 2023
Single source21RN tuition assistance average $5,000/year 2023
Verified22RN life insurance benefits average 2x salary 2023
Verified23RN shift differentials $4-8/hour 2023
VerifiedSalary Interpretation
Clearly, while the median RN earns a comfortable $86,070, the real story is that strategic career moves—like working nights in California, earning a DNP, joining a union, or embracing travel contracts—can transform a solid nursing salary into an exceptionally robust compensation package worthy of the immense demands of the profession.
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