Nursing is a career than can be incredibly beneficial in more ways than one. Not only is the job outlook for nurses the best in the country, the average annual income is also near the top of all professions in America. If you’re on the fence about attending nursing school, there are many nursing facts you should take into consideration. These nursing facts can help you decided if a career in this ever-expanding field is right for you!
Nursing Facts: By the Numbers
Here are some nursing facts about future nursing employment:
- There are over 3 million practicing nurses in the healthcare field today.
- According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the job growth for registered nurses will grow by 26% by the year 2020.
- The BLS also projects job opportunities for licensed practical nurses as licensed vocational nurses will rise by 22%.
- The overall number of nurse practitioners is expected to jump by 57% by 2025.
- The projected job growth for nurses is higher than all other occupations in the United States.
- California, Colorado, Florida and Texas are the states most in need of new nurses.
- The average salary of a registered nurse that works in a hospital is nearly $67,000 a year.
Here are some more random nursing facts and statistics to consider:
- Nurses are the largest individual component of a hospital staff.
- Nearly all healthcare services involve some form of care from nurses.
- There are over four times more registered nurses than there are physicians in the U.S.
As the nursing facts and statistics show, the need for qualified nursing professionals will skyrocket over the next several years. If you are thinking about pursuing a nursing education, these nursing facts and statistics should tell you that your future will likely be very bright!