Nursing facts that everyone should know
It's so hard to believe that we arrived at March, which means that many of us can now say "I'm done with winter" as we look forward to a fresh start. However, spring doesn't always come with sunshine and flowers; it also comes with the uncertainty of what will happen this summer. Those working in health care facilities know that one, it would be foolish not to prepare for the season. Two, planning ahead is imperative in order for those in need of care to be taken care of properly. This being said, I feel that it's appropriate to give away some nursing facts that everyone should know:
1) Nursing is the third largest profession in the United States and is 11% of the workforce. The average salary for a registered nurse is $63,000.
2) The projected shortage of registered nurses by 2020 will be 200,000 workers. Not only do we need more nurses, but more highly qualified nurses are needed (ADN with an RN license).
3) 22% of RNs are 50 years old or older. When you think about this statistic, you must realize that many people were not going into nursing when they were this age or older than 50 years old.
4) In 2008, there were more than 194,000 RNs employed in the United States. However, this number is expected to decrease 12% to approximately 163,000 by 2018.
5) Only half of registered Nurses are currently working within the hospital setting.
6) Forty percent of nursing students will go on to become RNs. However, many of these nurses will leave the nursing field for a variety of reasons: poor wages and employment practices (nothing is guaranteed), lack of job satisfaction within their chosen hospital setting (demanding work schedule and lack of appreciation from management), and decrease in hiring due to hard economic times.
7) The average salary for a nurse has increased by 9% since 2003. However, this is a discrepancy when I look at the average salary of a registered nurse. According to the American Nurses Credentialing Center , "The average salary for RNs in 2011 was offered at $55,626 with 900 days of vacation." This can go up depending on geographic location and experience.
8) It's predicted that by 2020 there will be a shortage of 70,000 nursing positions. This has been attributed to the baby boomers entering into the workforce and the aging population; due to this, fewer nurses are being hired than are being retired or leaving the nursing field for other professions.
9) Doctors are required by law to have an advanced diploma in nursing (ADN). So, it is possible for a nurse to work alongside a physician (MD) in an emergency room setting.
10) The most common job title for an RN is actually the "registered nurse" without any further certification. There are several other titles that can be used, which include: clinical nurse specialist, certified registered nurse anesthetist, certified surgical technologist, and certified clinical drug specialist.
11) The most common ages of nurses are between 30-40 years old. Nurses tend to retire before they reach 60 years of age (as with any profession). This is normally due to personal reasons such as going back to school or having young children at home.
12) Nurses fall into the following categories: direct care staff nurses, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, licensed practical and vocational nurses, and school nurses.
13) Health care is predicted to be the #1 most searched occupation in the United States by 2020. One of the main reasons why this is so high is because of how accessible health information has become via technology. In addition to that, one of three people in the United States will enter a nursing home or a hospital during their lifetime.
14) Registered nurses (RNs) have a high suicide rate. In 2013, out of the 9,000 nursing home deaths reviewed, 9% were attributed to this. This was down from 13% in 2007 and is mainly due to the aging population as well as higher reimbursement for assisted living/aging facilities and hospitals are paying more for quality nursing staff.
15) The biggest three areas of responsibility that help determine a nurse's salary are levels of education, location of employment and experience. These three factors can play a big role in providing nurses with opportunities for advancement or wage increases.
16) The first thing that a nurse does when they begin their career is to focus on obtaining their basic education (high school diploma or equivalent). After this, nurses can choose to work in many settings such as hospitals, home-based settings (nursing home or assisted living), long term care facilities, and outpatient facilities.
17) The highest paying area of employment for registered nurses is the nursing administration. Registered nurses with an ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing) earn approximately $59,000 annually. This amount can vary depending on location and experience. In comparison, registered nurses that work in a home health care setting earn about $54,000 per year. This is the lowest paid area of nursing employment.
18) In addition to these statistics, nursing statistics show that the number of retiring registered nurses is six times higher than the number of new graduates entering into this field. However, I have seen this trend reverse itself through online learning or online degrees at schools such as University at Albany or Liberty University . These students are choosing to finish their degree (ADN) online due to personal and professional reasons. And one thing that they share in common is that they are seeking a better way to advance their career or change professions without relocating.
19) According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, RNs earned an average of $51,000 in 2010. We must remember that this is a national average and can vary by region. The highest-paying state for RNs is California, where they make an average of $89,266 annually. On the opposite end of the spectrum are nursing home workers who earn an average salary of approximately $24,000 per year.
20) The lowest paying jobs for nurses include community health aides ($22,140), home health aides ($24,430), and direct care staff nurses ($25,290). However, the rising number of retiring nurses could cause the need for replacement workers in these professions.
21) Since 1990, the demand for nurses has increased by nearly 50%, while the supply has increased about 6% (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). The supply of nurses is expected to decrease by 30% by 2020. This will lead to a shortage of nearly 41,000 nursing professionals by 2020.
22) According to The New York Times , there are more than 381,000 registered nurses working in America. There are more than 500,000 nurse practitioners and more than 68,000 nurse midwives on staff in this country today.
Conclusion
Nursing is a rewarding career that offers endless opportunities to advance and become a specialist (focusing on a specific area) or to change settings. Although I have listed some of the statistics available on this topic, it is important to note that you can research further according to your state. There are factors such as geographical location and experience that play a role in the salary of that nurse. As with any profession, it is important to do your homework before deciding on a major or career path. When it comes to nursing, I am glad to see the numbers increasing! If you want more information about how nursing has evolved, check out my post on Nursing History .