In March, HHS’s Health Resources and Services Administration released findings from its latest National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis conducts the survey, in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau, every four years. As of 2022, the survey found that nursing is the nation’s largest health care profession, with an estimated 4.3 million actively licensed registered nurses (RNs). Approximately 3.5 million of all actively licensed RNs are working as RNs, a net increase of almost 400,000 licensed RNs since 2017.
Nurses are becoming younger and more diverse, the survey found. Of RNs surveyed, 70% indicated that they were employed in a health-related job prior to completing their first nursing degree. The most common positions were nursing assistant (45%), licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse (LPN/LVN) (16%), or home health aide (10%). If labor force patterns remain the same as today, the survey findings indicate, the demand for RNs in 2036 will exceed supply by 9%, resulting in a shortage of 337,970 full-time equivalent (FTE) RNs. The same is true for LPNs, who are estimated to experience a 12% shortage (99,070 LPN/LVN FTEs) in 2036. The survey drew responses from nearly 50,000 nurses commenting on issues such as job satisfaction, COVID-19, and education/training.
