Number of registered nurses in the U.S. 2001-2016

There are currently around 2.86 million registered nurses in the United States. Nurses provide a wide range of care and support depending on qualifications and licenses. Such tasks include, but are not limited to, taking vital signs, dispensing medication, bathing patients, changing bandages and dressings, preparing patients for surgery and maintaining patient medical records. Nurses can work in a variety of medical settings, which include physician’s offices, home health services, nursing care facilities, and hospitals.

Nursing growth

Registered nurses play a significant role in the functioning of many medical settings and there is an increasing demand for these trained professionals. Registered nursing is expected to be one of the largest growing occupations in the United States from 2016 to 2026, adding some 437,000 new jobs. Similarly, home health aid, personal care aid, physician assistant, and nurse practitioner are all among the fastest growing occupations in the U.S.

Nurses employed in nursing homes

Registered nurses play a vital role in nursing homes, although nursing assistants account for a larger portion of employees in this setting. As of 2017, there were around 155,450 registered nurses working in nursing homes across the United States. From 2016 to 2026, it is predicted that there will be an additional 1,100 jobs for registered nurses in nursing homes.