The American Nurses Credentialing Center reports there were three million nurses in 2019, and nearly one million are expected to retire by 2030. This exodus opens the door to opportunity for professionals like you who want to pivot to a more rewarding and meaningful career in nursing.
Job Growth
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) notes that the employment of registered nurses (RNs) is projected to increase by 9% from 2020 to 2030.
Salary Potential
The median annual wage for RNs is $75,330 (BLS, May 2020), but many factors can affect how much you earn. According to the BLS, the top-paying states for RNs are:
| States | Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,000 |
| Hawaii | $106,530 |
| Oregon | $98,630 |
| District of Columbia | $98,540 |
| Alaska | $97,230 |
Work Environment
Registered nurses can work in a variety of care environments. The largest employers of RNs are:
| Industry/Sector | Employed RNs |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 61% |
| Ambulatory health care services | 18% |
| Nursing and residential care facilities | 6% |
| Government | 5% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 3% |
Ambulatory health care services include industries such as physicians’ offices, home health care, and outpatient care centers. Nurses who work in home health travel to patients’ homes, while public health nurses may travel to community centers, schools, and other sites. Some nurses travel frequently in the U.S. and globally to care for patients in places with insufficient health care workers (BLS, May 2020).
Professional Associations for Nurses
The following professional associations may provide useful career resources and continuing education opportunities for our second-degree nursing students and graduates.
Thank You For Your Interest
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