NCHWA: NURSE SHORTAGE TO CONTINUE THROUGH AT LEAST 2036

The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects a 9 percent nursing workforce shortage through 2036.  The problem will be particularly acute in non-metro areas, where the shortage is expected to grow to 14%.  The ten states with the largest projected RN shortages in 2036 are: Georgia (29%), California (26%), Washington (26%), New Jersey (25%), North Carolina (23%), New Hampshire (23%), South Carolina (21%), Maryland (20%), Michigan (19%), and Oregon (16%).

The current shortage is about 250,000 and is expected to grow to a shortage of 350,00 full-time registered nurses in 2026.

The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA) collects data, conducts research, and generates information about the U.S. health care workforce to inform and support Public- and private-sector decision making. Learn about the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis.

Legislation proposed by Rep. Bayer (D-VA) calls for 20,000 nurse visas for rural shortage areas.  Unfortunately, that legislation has probably been introduced too late in this congressional term to pass both houses of Congress before the term ends on December 31, 2024.