Demand Is Not Slowing Down
The population is aging and current nurses are retiring, so the need for new RNs keeps growing. The BLS projects RN employment to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than average, with about 189,100 openings every year over the decade. Schools have to train enough students to fill them.
The shortage is real and the demographics make it worse. The AACN puts the median age of working RNs at 46, and the American Nurses Association reports that more than a quarter of RNs plan to leave or retire within five years. As nurses exit and demand rises, the people who stay should see strong job security and bargaining power for years.
States With the Highest Demand
Shortages don't hit evenly. Drawing on HRSA's 2022 nurse workforce projections through 2035, the states facing the steepest projected RN shortfalls are:
- Washington: 26%
- Georgia: 21%
- California: 18%
- Oregon: 16%
- Michigan: 15%
Idaho, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Jersey, and South Carolina all project shortfalls above 10%. Many of these states already lean on travel nurses to fill in-demand roles, and RNs willing to work where the need is greatest often command higher pay.
What Nurses Earn
The RN median wage is $93,600 a year, according to the BLS. The top-paying specialties go well beyond that.
Nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives are advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), which generally requires a master's or doctorate and an APRN license. Their median wages run highest:
- Nurse anesthetist: $223,210
- Nurse practitioner: $129,210
- Nurse midwife: $128,790
You don't need a graduate degree to earn above the national average, either. Specialties like informatics, oncology, trauma, dialysis, and infection control nursing all pay above the RN median and rank among the better-paying healthcare jobs open to someone with a bachelor's. Across the board, pay tends to rise with experience and with specialized roles or graduate education.
Getting Into Nursing
Becoming an RN takes a nursing degree, the NCLEX-RN, and a state license. Many nurses then add certifications or further education to widen their options.
Earn a Degree
You need a nursing degree to sit for licensure. If you already hold a bachelor's in another field, accelerated BSN programs run about 12 to 18 months and include clinical hours. Without a prior degree, a two-year associate program meets the requirement for an RN license, though many employers prefer a bachelor's. RN-to-BSN programs let working RNs finish the degree later.
Pass the NCLEX and Get Licensed
Every RN has to pass the NCLEX-RN and apply for a state license. Each state sets its own requirements, which usually include an accredited degree, passing scores, specific coursework, and a background check. Your program will walk you through studying and applying.
Certify in a Specialty
Certification signals real expertise in a specialty, whether that's emergency, critical care, or informatics nursing. The American Nurses Credentialing Center and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses both offer credentials. Many employers also require CPR, basic life support, and advanced cardiac life support certification.
Choose Your Setting and Location
RNs work in hospitals, physician offices, home health, and outpatient centers, and the setting shapes your hours. Hospitals typically run 12-hour shifts; a physician office usually doesn't. Location matters too: rural areas face larger shortages, and travel nurses willing to relocate earn some of the highest RN pay. Pick the environment that fits how you want to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many registered nurses are there in the US?
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing counts more than 5 million licensed registered nurses in the United States, making nursing the largest healthcare profession in the country.
Is nursing still in demand?
Yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects RN employment to grow 5% from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 189,100 openings each year over the decade as nurses retire and the population ages.
Which states have the biggest nursing shortages?
Drawing on HRSA workforce projections, Washington, Georgia, California, Oregon, and Michigan face some of the steepest projected RN shortfalls, with Idaho, Louisiana, North Carolina, New Jersey, and South Carolina also projecting double-digit gaps.
How much do registered nurses earn?
The median RN wage was $93,600 a year as of May 2024 (BLS). Advanced practice roles pay more: nurse anesthetists earn a median of $223,210, nurse practitioners $129,210, and nurse midwives $128,790.
How do you become a registered nurse?
You need an accredited nursing degree (an associate or bachelor's), a passing score on the NCLEX-RN, and a state license. Many nurses then add specialty certifications or graduate education to widen their options.