In 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were *** million registered nurses in the United States. With over *** thousand registered nurses, California had the highest number of registered nurses in the U.S., followed by Texas and Florida. On the other hand, Wyoming was the state with the least registered nurses in 2024.

The graph illustrates the number of active nurses in the United States, categorized by type: registered nurses and practical nurses. The x-axis represents the nurse types, while the y-axis indicates the total number of active nurses. Registered nurses have the highest count at 5,009,284, while practical nurses account for 920,013. The data highlights the significant difference in the number of active nurses between these two categories, emphasizing the larger workforce of registered nurses compared to practical nurses. This information is presented in a bar graph to compare the two categories visually.

There are currently around *** million registered nurses in the United States. Yet there are significant regional disparities, with California leading the pack in 2024. With over ******* registered nurses, the Golden State outpaces its closest competitors, Texas and Florida, by a considerable margin. This concentration of nursing professionals in populous states underscores the complex relationship between healthcare demand and population density. Diverse employment settings for nurses While the distribution of registered nurses varies widely across states, their employment settings also show interesting patterns. In 2023, hospitals remained the primary employer for registered nurses, accounting for nearly ********** of all nursing positions. Ambulatory healthcare services emerged as the second most common workplace, while educational services employed only a small fraction of the nursing workforce. This distribution highlights the critical role of nurses in various healthcare settings beyond traditional hospital environments. Specialized nursing roles across states The nursing profession encompasses various specialized roles, each with its own unique distribution across the country. For instance, nurse anesthetists showed significant variation in employment numbers, ranging from as few as ** to as many as ***** per state in 2024. Interestingly, Delaware led in nurse anesthetist employment, while Vermont and Alaska had the lowest numbers. Similarly, nurse midwives exhibited a wide range of employment figures, with California boasting the highest count and South Carolina the lowest.

Nurses in the United States increased to 12.71 per 1000 people in 2024 from 12.36 per 1000 people in 2023. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for the United States Nurses.

The number of employees working in U.S. skilled nursing facilities (SNF) amounted to **** ******* in 2024. Roughly a ***** of these workers were nursing assistants, while a further *** in *** were registered nurses (RN).

In 2022, Switzerland had the highest number of practicing nurses per capita, that is, for every 1,000 population there were 18 practicing nurses in Switzerland. This is followed by Norway and Iceland. This statistic portrays the number of practicing nurses in selected countries as of 2021, per 1,000 population.

Graph and download economic data for Employed full time: Wage and salary workers: Registered nurses occupations: 16 years and over (LEU0254487900A) from 2000 to 2024 about registered nurses, nursing, occupation, full-time, salaries, workers, 16 years +, wages, employment, and USA.

Forecast: Number of Nurses Graduates in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

In 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over *** ******* people were working in nursing in the United States. The most frequent occupation was registered nurse with over **** ******* people, followed by around **** ******* nursing assistants, orderlies and aides. On the other hand, only around ***** nurse-midwives were working in the United States in 2024.

In 2022, with a total of ******* nurses, most registered nurses were part of the ******** years old age group in the United States. That year, the average age of RNs was **** years old.

Forecast: Number of Professional Nurses Licensed to Practice in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Forecast: Number of Nurses Licensed to Practice in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Forecast: Density of Associate Nurses Employed in Hospitals in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Forecast: Number of Professional Nurses and Midwives Employed in Hospitals in the US 2024 - 2028 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Graph and download economic data for All Employees, Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (CES6562300001) from Jan 1990 to Aug 2025 about nursing homes, nursing, health, establishment survey, residential, education, services, employment, and USA.

In 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately *** thousand licensed practical and vocational nurses in the United States. With over ** thousand licensed nurses, California had the highest number of licensed nurses in the U.S., followed by Texas and New York. On the other hand, Alaska had the least licensed nurses in 2024.

Comprehensive dataset containing 30,092 verified Registered general nurse businesses in United States with complete contact information, ratings, reviews, and location data.

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US Nursing Education Market Size 2025-2029

The US nursing education market size is forecast to increase by USD 161.9 billion at a CAGR of 30% between 2024 and 2029.

US Nursing Education Market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for competency-based learning and the integration of advanced technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in nursing education. The shift towards competency-based learning is a response to the evolving healthcare landscape and the need for nurses to possess a higher level of skills and knowledge to provide effective patient care. Furthermore, the use of AR and VR technologies in nursing education offers learning experiences, enabling students to practice complex procedures in a safe and controlled environment. However, the market is not without challenges.
One of the significant challenges is the lack of standardized assessment metrics to measure the effectiveness of nursing education programs. This challenge hampers the ability to evaluate the success of educational initiatives and the readiness of graduates to enter the workforce. To capitalize on the market opportunities and navigate these challenges effectively, companies must focus on developing innovative solutions that address the need for competency-based learning and provide reliable assessment metrics. Additionally, investing in the integration of AR and VR technologies can offer a competitive edge in the market.

What will be the size of the US Nursing Education Market during the forecast period?

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The nursing education market in the US is experiencing significant growth and innovation, driven by the demand for advanced nursing informatics solutions and continuing education units. This trend is reflected in the development of nurse recruitment strategies that leverage telehealth platforms and nursing curriculum tailored to healthcare technology. Nursing salary trends continue to influence the market, as nursing informatics specialists become increasingly essential for effective healthcare data management. Nursing simulation software and nursing career pathways are key components of nursing education trends, providing clinical experience and patient safety initiatives that align with patient-centered care and improved health outcomes.
Accreditation standards and nursing faculty recruitment are also critical areas of focus, as institutions seek to maintain high educational standards and remain competitive. Patient portals, mobile health apps, and nursing education consultants are essential tools for nursing workforce development, enabling professional growth and leadership training. Nursing ethics committees and clinical data analytics further enhance the quality of nursing education and research, ensuring that the nursing profession remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation.

How is this market segmented?

The market research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Graduate courses
  Postgraduate courses


End-user

  Hospitals
  Home healthcare services


Program Type

  Associate Degree
  Bachelor's Degree
  Master's Degree
  Doctoral Programs


Delivery Mode

  On-Campus
  Online
  Hybrid


Institution Types

  Universities
  Community Colleges
  Vocational Schools


Geography

  US

By Type Insights

The graduate courses segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

The nursing education market in the US is experiencing significant growth due to the rising enrollment in undergraduate and graduate nursing programs. This trend is driven by the increasing demand for specialized nursing professionals in various fields, such as geriatric nursing, mental health nursing, and critical care nursing. The American Nurses Association and other nursing organizations advocate for continued nursing education as a means of addressing health disparities and improving patient care. E-learning platforms, nursing simulation labs, and clinical skills training are essential components of graduate nursing programs, providing students with the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge.

Nursing informatics, healthcare reform, and patient safety are key areas of focus, with data analytics and clinical decision support playing crucial roles. The nursing workforce is evolving, with an emphasis on nurse retention, nursing leadership, and nursing professional development. Online nursing programs, mobile health, and wearable technology are transforming nursing education, making it more accessible and flexible. Nursing evaluation, nursing diagnosis, and nursing standards are integral parts of nursing education, ensuring that students are prepared for the nursing licens

Nurses and midwives (per 1,000 people) in United States was reported at 11.88 in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. United States - Nurses and midwives - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Employed full time: Median usual weekly nominal earnings (second quartile): Wage and salary workers: Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses occupations: 16 years and over (LEU0254542900A) from 2000 to 2024 about vocational nurses, licenses, nursing, second quartile, occupation, full-time, salaries, earnings, workers, 16 years +, wages, median, employment, and USA.