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Nursing Workforce Grows 5.3% Over Four Years |
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Nursing
Workforce Grows 5.3% Over Four Years
The estimated
number of licensed registered nurses in the U.S. grew by 5.3% between 2004 and
2008 to a record 3.06 million, according to initial findings from the National Sample Survey of
Registered Nurses, released by the Health Resources and Services
Administration. Nearly 2.6 million RNs, or 84.8%, were employed in nursing
positions in 2008, the highest rate since the survey began in 1977. An estimated
63.2% of RNs were employed full-time, up from 58.4% in 2004 and the first
increase since 1996. Nearly 45% of RNs were 50 years of age or older in 2008,
and half had achieved a baccalaureate or higher degree in nursing or a
nursing-related field. The number of RNs with master's or doctorate degrees rose
46.9% between 2004 and 2008 to 404,163. An estimated 16.8% of nurses in 2008
were Asian, African-American, American Indian/Alaska Native or Hispanic, up from
12.2% in 2004. A final report with complete findings will be published this
summer.
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