Nursing Shortage 2025: Key Stats Every Healthcare Leader Should Know
The 2025 nursing shortage is one of the most pressing workforce challenges facing healthcare organizations across the U.S. As nurse burnout and retirement rates surge, and demand for care increases, hospitals and systems are feeling the strain.
People Element’s new white paper, 2025 Nursing Shortage Statistics, offers critical insights into the current state of the nursing workforce and what’s ahead. Here’s a preview of the top findings—and how healthcare leaders can respond to help retain nurses and protect care quality.
Nurse Burnout and Turnover Continue to Rise
New nurse burnout statistics reveal a profession under pressure:
52% of nurses report feeling fatigued get up and face another day
50% feel “used up” by the end of their shift
40% plan to leave their position within five years
18% are planning to leave the profession entirely
These emotional and physical stressors are fueling high turnover rates and further complicating nurse staffing shortages.
Demand for Nurses Is Outpacing Supply
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that by 2033:
Registered nurse (RN) jobs will grow by 6%, adding nearly 195,000 positions
Nurse practitioner (NP) roles will grow by a staggering 46%, creating 135,500 new jobs
However, supply challenges remain. In 2024 alone, over 80,000 qualified nursing school applicants were turned away due to a lack of faculty and resources—despite strong interest in the profession.
Retirement and Aging Populations Intensify the Shortage
60% of current RNs are over the age of 45
Over 1 million nurses are projected to retire by 2030
The 65+ population is expected to surpass 78 million by the same year
This dual trend of aging nurses and aging patients is expected to deepen the registered nurse shortage nationwide.
High Nurse Turnover Is Costly for Hospitals
The cost of nurse turnover is staggering:
$61,110 per bedside RN on average
$4.8 million per hospital annually
$289,000 per 1% increase in RN turnover
Not to mention, turnover negatively impacts patient care. Studies show that each additional patient above the recommended 1:4 nurse-to-patient ratio increases the risk of patient death by 7%.
How to Retain Nurses and Reduce Turnover
According to the white paper, healthcare leaders can lower RN turnover and burnout by:
Collecting continuous nurse feedback
Improving onboarding and mentorship programs
Offering realistic mental health support
Maintaining safe nurse-to-patient ratios
Addressing root causes of job dissatisfaction early
When organizations listen and respond to nurse needs, they build loyalty, boost engagement, and reduce costly exits.
Download the Full Report: 2025 Nursing Shortage Statistics
Looking for the complete set of nursing shortage data, trends, and recommendations?
👉 [Download the full white paper here] to get in-depth insights on:
Nurse retirement projections
State-by-state RN shortage forecasts
Nurse tenure and turnover benchmarks
Nursing school enrollment trends
Actionable strategies to retain nurses
Download the Full Report: 2025 Nursing Shortage Statistics
Looking for the complete set of nursing shortage data, trends, and recommendations?
👉 [Download the full white paper here] to get in-depth insights on:
Nurse retirement projections
State-by-state RN shortage forecasts
Nurse tenure and turnover benchmarks
Nursing school enrollment trends
Actionable strategies to retain nurses
