For the first time in three decades, the youngest category of registered nurses grew from 2004-2008, helping hospitals restock their pool of increasingly aging RNs, according to a release by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration.
HRSA's National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, published every four years, also found:
1. Nearly 45 percent of RNs were 50 years of age or older in 2008, a dramatic increase from 33 percent in 2000 and 25 percent in 1980.
2. The shortage of nursing faculty will grow significantly in the near future, with 60 percent of current faculty 50 years of age or older.
3. The overall number of RNs grew to a new high of 3.1 million from 2004-2008.
4. RNs’ salaries rose almost 15.9 percent from 2004-2008, slightly outpacing inflation. An RN's average annual earnings were $66,973 in 2008.
5. An estimated 444,668 RNs received their first U.S. license from 2004-2008.
6. Half of RNs earned a baccalaureate or higher degree in 2008, doubling the 1980 rate.
7. The number of RNs with a master’s degree or doctorate rose by 46.9 percent from 2000.
Read the HRSA release on registered nurses.
Read the HRSA report on the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses.
Read more coverage on nurses:
- Newly Graduating Nurses Having Trouble Finding Jobs
- Exiting Nurses Equal 60% of Incoming Nurses in Florida
- Survey Identifies Fives Greatest Time-Wasters for Nurses
HRSA's National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses, published every four years, also found:
1. Nearly 45 percent of RNs were 50 years of age or older in 2008, a dramatic increase from 33 percent in 2000 and 25 percent in 1980.
2. The shortage of nursing faculty will grow significantly in the near future, with 60 percent of current faculty 50 years of age or older.
3. The overall number of RNs grew to a new high of 3.1 million from 2004-2008.
4. RNs’ salaries rose almost 15.9 percent from 2004-2008, slightly outpacing inflation. An RN's average annual earnings were $66,973 in 2008.
5. An estimated 444,668 RNs received their first U.S. license from 2004-2008.
6. Half of RNs earned a baccalaureate or higher degree in 2008, doubling the 1980 rate.
7. The number of RNs with a master’s degree or doctorate rose by 46.9 percent from 2000.
Read the HRSA release on registered nurses.
Read the HRSA report on the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses.
Read more coverage on nurses:
- Newly Graduating Nurses Having Trouble Finding Jobs
- Exiting Nurses Equal 60% of Incoming Nurses in Florida
- Survey Identifies Fives Greatest Time-Wasters for Nurses