Did you know that nursing is the largest healthcare industry with nearly 4.2 million registered nurses across the country? So says the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
The industry has seen its fair share of turmoil as nurses have launched strikes nationwide due to insufficient staffing, burnout, and inadequate pay. But that hasn’t stopped the nursing industry from being beloved and respected by the public. In fact, the most recent Gallup rating indicates that nursing is the most trusted profession for the 20th consecutive year.
Continue reading to see five nursing industry facts and statistics — courtesy of an AACN fact sheet and other sources — you need to know if you don’t already.
- 200,000+ New RN Positions Annually Between 2021 and 2031
According to research from the Government of the United States, 203,000+ new registered nursing positions could open up annually from 2021 to 2031. One of the reasons for unrest in the nursing sector is a staff shortage that has left many nurses feeling overwhelmed. So, adding more recruits to the ranks of nursing professionals is a good thing.
Of course, registered nurses aren’t the only type of nurses in the healthcare industry. Depending on the nursing career path someone wishes to take, there are different requirements. It’s essential to look into the process of becoming a nurse and how much time it could take.
Fortunately, nursing schools can leverage technological advancements to prepare nurses for the industry. Nursing simulation technology, for instance, can provide nursing students with clinical training, allow for observation and feedback, and facilitate collaboration.
- Nurses With Undergraduate Nursing Degrees Highly Sought After
Employers prefer nurses who’ve earned baccalaureate degrees in their field. In an Employment of New Nurse Graduates survey by AACN, for instance, more than four of 10 employers require new hires to hold a baccalaureate in nursing. At the same time, almost eight of 10 strongly prefer nurses who have earned a baccalaureate in nursing. This shows that healthcare practices nationwide are seeing a difference in nursing performance based on the level of education and are making hiring decisions to boost the quality of care available to patients.
- Most Nurses Happy Being Nurses
The Medscape Nurse Career Satisfaction Report in 2020 shows that most nurses are satisfied with their career choice. In fact, the report indicates that the percentage of nurses who are happy they got into the profession ranges from 93% to 98%. And this is despite the fact that the profession is stressful, with burnout cases climbing during the pandemic.
- Median Average Pay for RNs is $36.34 Per Hour
The average salary for a registered nurse this year is $36.34 hourly or $75,592 annually. Meanwhile, entry positions begin at $54,794 annually, and the most experienced nurses make as much as $118,869 annually.
- Top Three Industries That Employ RNs
Do you know what the top industries that employ RNs are? They are, in order, general medical and surgical hospitals, offices of physicians, home health care services, outpatient care centers, and nursing care facilities. So, there are many industries where the skills of RNs are needed.
These are some facts and statistics about the nursing industry that are good to know. It’s also clear that nurses face plenty of issues in the workforce due to the pressures of the job.
Nurses provide emergency care, administer medicine, monitor patients, dress injuries, examine patient records, and more. And, despite the challenges, most nurses wouldn’t change careers if given the opportunity. It’s no wonder why the nursing profession is the most trusted.