healthcare

How the nursing workforce has transformed through time

Goodwork Team

08 May 2025 — 1 min read

📊 Current Demographics and Workforce Composition

Total Registered Nurses (RNs): As of 2024, there are approximately 5.6 million RNs in the U.S. Advisory Board
Gender Distribution: Women constitute about 88.5% of the RN workforce, while men represent 11.2%. Master Mind Behavior
Racial and Ethnic Diversity: The RN population is predominantly White (80.6%), with minorities comprising 19.4%: 6.7% African American, 7.2% Asian, 0.5% American Indian/Alaskan Native, 0.4% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 2.1% identifying as two or more races, and 2.5% other. Additionally, 5.6% of RNs report Hispanic ethnicity. AACN

🎓 Educational Advancements

Higher Education Trends: Over 73% of RNs now hold a baccalaureate degree or higher, marking the highest educational level ever recorded by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
Advanced Degrees: The proportion of RNs with master's degrees increased from 15.8% to 17.9% between 2015 and 2022, while those with Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees rose from 0.6% to 1.6%. National University

👵 Aging Workforce and Retirement Trends

Median Age: The median age of RNs is 46 years. AP News+3AACN+3National University+3
Retirement Projections: More than 25% of registered nurses plan to retire within the next five years. Advisory Board+4Incredible Health+4AACN+4

🚨 Challenges and Future Outlook

Workforce Attrition: Between 2022 and 2024, over 138,000 nurses left the workforce.
Projected Departures: By 2029, nearly 40% of nurses intend to leave the workforce, highlighting concerns about ongoing labor shortages.
Burnout and Job Satisfaction: Factors such as stress, burnout, workload, understaffing, inadequate pay, and workplace violence contribute to nurses leaving the profession. Advisory Board

🤝 Emphasizing Diversity and Inclusion

Efforts are underway to enhance diversity within the nursing workforce to better reflect the U.S. population. A diverse nursing staff can lead to improved patient outcomes, especially in underserved communities. Initiatives include targeted recruitment, mentorship programs, and cultural competency training.

For those interested in exploring current nursing job opportunities, visit GoodWork.

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