Read more about nurse salary information.

Nursing Shortage Leading to High Demand for Nurses

Several factors in the United States have combined to create notable nursing shortages across the country. This has resulted in a need for younger nurses to continue their education (particularly BSNs and NPs) and fill open positions.

1. An Aging Population

The 2020 census recorded the highest ever percentage of adults over the age of 65 compared to the total population. This means that a larger proportion of the population is elderly and needs care, putting stress on the existing nursing workforce.⁵

2. A Retiring Workforce

As the population ages, many long-time nurses are beginning to retire. This has created a growing need for younger, qualified nurses to step in. In 2020, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) found that 19% of the RN workforce was 65 years or older, up from 14.6% in 2017 and 4.4% in 2013.⁶

3. The COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 put historic stress on the nursing workforce. In 2022, the NCSBN found that the pandemic directly accounted for about 100,000 RNs and 34,000 licensed practical and vocational nurses leaving the workforce in a two-year period. As a result, 41% of total RNs have a mean age of 36 with fewer than 10 years of work experience.⁷

4. High Stress & Burnout

Because of the increased pressure on the nursing workforce, nurses themselves are experiencing greater workloads, higher levels of stress, and burnout. According to the NCSBN, approximately 800,000 RNs and 184,000 LPNs/LVNs indicate they are likely to leave nursing by 2027 (roughly 20% of the workforce).⁷

5. Declining Nursing School Enrollment & Faculty Shortages

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) found that the number of students in entry-level baccalaureate nursing programs declined in 2022, as did the number of students in master’s and PhD programs. Part of the reason was that, due to faculty shortages and limited educational resources, thousands of qualified applicants were turned away.⁸

Is Nursing a Good Career in 2023 & Beyond?

Like any field, there are pros and cons to entering the nursing workforce. Before deciding on your career path, it’s worth the time and effort to think through possible scenarios. Generally speaking, if you can navigate what has become a more demanding workplace environment, there are great opportunities to advance your career as a nurse and positively impact others.

Benefits of Becoming a Nurse

As a result of nursing shortages, demand for nurses is likely to remain high for the foreseeable future. This provides additional job security to what has traditionally been considered a “recession-proof” or “recession-resistant” career.⁹ Additionally, younger nurses have a tremendous opportunity to fill more senior positions due to staffing shortages.

Cons of Becoming a Nurse

It’s no secret that being a nurse has become more difficult and stressful in recent years because of staffing shortages. In the short term, nurses should anticipate heavy workloads and stress on top of what are already long working hours. However, many workplaces are aware of this issue, and nursing leaders such as the NCSBN and others around the country are actively developing solutions.

Best States for Nurses

While many nurses choose to practice in their home state, it’s not uncommon for nurses to travel to where the work is. Below are the top 5 states for RNs and LPNs/LVNs in terms of employment numbers, concentration of jobs, and pay (according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2022).

Best States for RNs¹⁰

Top 5 States with Highest Employment of RNs

State	Employment	Employment per Thousand Jobs	Location Quotient	Hourly Mean Wage	Annual Mean Wage
California	325,620	18.46	0.89	$64.10	$133,340
Texas	231,060	17.78	0.86	$40.54	$84,320
Florida	197,630	21.46	1.03	$38.42	$79,910
New York	190,470	20.91	1.01	$48.14	$100,130
Pennsylvania	137,970	23.74	1.14	$38.76	$80,630

Top 5 States with Highest Concentration of RN Jobs

State	Employment	Employment per Thousand Jobs	Location Quotient	Hourly Mean Wage	Annual Mean Wage
South Dakota	14,360	32.99	1.59	$31.01	$64,500
West Virginia	21,110	31.13	1.50	$34.73	$72,230
North Dakota	11,300	27.88	1.34	$36.06	$75,000
Massachusetts	94,100	26.39	1.27	$50.07	$104,150
Mississippi	29,370	25.96	1.25	$32.66	$67,930

Best States for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses¹¹

Top 5 States with Highest Employment of LPNs/LVNs

State	Employment	Employment per Thousand Jobs	Location Quotient	Hourly Mean Wage	Annual Mean Wage
California	73,740	4.18	0.98	$33.62	$69,930
Texas	62,240	4.79	1.12	$25.41	$52,850
New York	38,590	4.24	0.99	$27.67	$57,560
Ohio	37,310	6.94	1.62	$25.16	$52,330
Florida	36,970	4.01	0.94	$25.85	$53,780

Top 5 States with Highest Concentration of LPN/LVN Jobs

State	Employment	Employment per Thousand Jobs	Location Quotient	Hourly Mean Wage	Annual Mean Wage
Louisiana	19,230	10.40	2.43	$22.80	$47,430
West Virginia	6,200	9.15	2.14	$21.89	$45,530
Arkansas	10,790	8.76	2.05	$22.11	$45,990
Mississippi	8,660	7.65	1.79	$21.64	$45,020
Oklahoma	12,170	7.58	1.77	$23.12	$48,090

References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm.

2. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm.

3. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse Midwives, and Nurse Practitioners, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm.

4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Nursing Assistants and Orderlies, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nursing-assistants.htm.

5. Caplan, Zoe. "U.S. Older Population Grew from 2010 to 2020 at Fastest Rate since 1880 to 1890." Census.Gov, 25 May 2023, www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/05/2020-census-united-states-older-population-grew.html.

6. "The 2020 National Nursing Workforce Survey." NCSBN, Journal of Nursing Regulation, www.ncsbn.org/public-files//2020_NNW_Executive_Summary.pdf.

7. "National Nursing Workforce Study." NCSBN, www.ncsbn.org/research/recent-research/workforce.page#1657179108340.

8. "New Data Show Enrollment Declines in Schools of Nursing, Raising Concerns About the Nation's Nursing Workforce." American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2 May 2023, www.aacnnursing.org/news-data/all-news/new-data-show-enrollment-declines-in-schools-of-nursing-raising-concerns-about-the-nations-nursing-workforce.

9. Michael L. Dolfman, Matthew Insco, and Richard J. Holden, "Nursing and the Great Recession," Monthly Labor Review, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 2017, https://doi.org/10.21916/mlr.2017.18

10. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Registered Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291141.htm.

11. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes292061.htm.