The initial findings from the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) were released in March 2010. The survey is conducted every 4 years and this recent data highlights four major trends: the number of licensed RNs and the number of RNs practicing in nursing are growing; the RN population represents more diversity than ever before; the educational level of RNs entering practice and already employed is increasing; and the average age of all RNs is stabilizing without the large upward increase noted in past surveys. Numbers are estimated based on a sample of 55,171 selected from all actively licensed RNs in the United States. Of this sample, 33,549 RNs (870 ineligible excluded) returned completed surveys (62.4% response rate).
A snapshot of today's nurse
Nurses were asked to report on their education, employment, intentions regarding nursing work, and demographics. The U.S. RN population is estimated to be over 3 million as of March 2008, an increase of 5.4% since March 2004. Of these 3 million RNs, 84.4% are employed in nursing, the highest percentage since the survey was instituted in 1977. Demographic data, although showing more diversity, is not representative of the U.S. population as a whole. Non-Hispanic whites comprise 65.6% of the general population, yet represent 83.2% of all RNs. RNs of non-Hispanic Asian descent comprise 5.5% of RNs, while making up only 4.5% of the general population. Non-Hispanic black/African Americans are still underrepresented in nursing, accounting for 12.2% of the general population but only 5.4% of all RNs. More RNs (5.6%) are foreign-educated compared to 2004 (3.7%). The percentage of males has also increased from 5.5% in 2004 to 6.6% in 2008. Educational preparation has advanced as well: 33.7% of RNs entered their careers with a bachelor's degree, up from 31% in 2004. The number of RNs with advanced degrees increased 46.9% from 2000 to 2008. Also encouraging is the finding that the average age of RNs is 47.0 years; 45% are over 50 and most are 50 to 54 years old (16.2%). In 1988, most RNs were 30 to 34 years (18.3%). Are those same RNs from 1988 still practicing?
APNs are growing
There were 250,527 RNs who were also advanced practice nurses (APNs) in one or more specialties. Preparation was designated by education and not based on certification because of wide variations across programs, states, and time. The advanced specialties included NPs, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists. NPs now number 158,348 or 63.2% of APNs; 64.3% of these report their principal job title is NP. The remaining NPs report job titles of staff nurse, and in the areas of instruction, management, or administration. Only 10.7% did not work in nursing.
Policymakers and other stakeholders use these data to assess the status of and trends in the U.S. nursing workforce and to determine whether Federal and State programs are successful in ensuring an RN workforce adequate enough to provide essential healthcare services. "These data illustrate the education and skills of the nursing workforce, portray the diversity of RNs and impact of internationally educated nurses, depict the factors that affect RNs' decisions to work in the nursing profession, and support forecasting the future supply of RNs."1
This is all good news for advanced nursing practice, especially in light of recent healthcare reform, the ongoing discussions about APN educational preparation with the practice doctorate, and the idea of NPs becoming the primary care providers of the future. We must stay tuned for more detailed information on the APN population in the full report to follow.
Jamesetta Newland, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FNAP
Editor-in-Chief [email protected]
REFERENCE