2022 Nursing Employment Statistics (United States)

The healthcare industry has undergone tremendous changes in the past few years. From going through a global pandemic to staffing shortages to advances in healthcare coverage, all these variables have undoubtedly altered the healthcare professional landscape. And in particular, there has been a significant impact on the nursing employment statistics. 

If you are considering improving your career or looking for a new job, you will need to conduct a nurse practitioner contract review to keep up to date with the latest changes. You will also have to assess the current nurse practitioner labor stats to keep up with job trends, ascertain job security, and determine whether there is potential for growth in your specialty. Without further ado, let us delve right in! You’re in for a treat! 

Nurse Practitioner Ranks #1 in Best Health Care Jobs List

According to the 2022 World Report and U.S. News, nurse practitioners ranked number one on the list of best healthcare jobs and number 2 in the 100 best jobs in the U.S. The profession ranked in the top spot due to its elusive mix of factors like median salary, unemployment rate, 10-year growth projection, work-life balance, stress, etc.

Due to the recent increase in the dire need for nurse practitioners caused by the COVID-19 pandemic serving as frontline health workers to working longer hours to matching patient demands, nurse practitioners definitely deserve this position. Their empathy, determination, and significant impact over the past few years cannot be overlooked.

Over 355,000 Nurse Practitioners Hold an Active License to Practice Within the U.S.

According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, more than 355,000 NPs have a license to practice across the United States as of 2021. Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, there were approximately 270,000 in the U.S., and the number has been steadily increasing by 9% to 10% per year, showing great promise to those looking to join the profession. 

Generally, the Pandemic highlighted the obvious; there is a massive demand for health care, and approximately 31.1 million Americans lack access to primary and quality healthcare. Nurse practitioners are experienced professionals, and their number is rapidly expanding to meet the patient demand. 

As a result, more and more nurse practitioners are moving into primary health care positions and other top job posts in the industry. In turn, many more patients throughout the United States opt to consult a nurse practitioner as their primary care physician.

Nurse Practitioners Make a Median Salary of $111,680

As of May 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that New York, New Jersey, California, Florida, Washington, and Texas have the highest employment rates among nurse practitioners. The mean yearly pay in these states is between $145,970 in California and $101,060 within Florida. As a result, their pay is over double the average salary for many other professions.

However, the main factors that dictate a nurse practitioner’s salary are their geography, specific employer, certification, specialty, and education level. Nurse practitioners with extensive experience are paid more recently than those entering the field. 

A 2020 survey by the Clinical Advisor Salary states that 73% of practicing nurse practitioners have acquired a master of science in nursing (MSN) degree. In addition, these nursing employment statistics show that most N.P.s proceed to attain a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree.

There is a 52% Projected Job Growth for N.P.s in the Next 10 Years

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides that nurse practitioner jobs are expected to expand by 52 % between 2020 and 2030, from 220,300 to 335,200. The rise in demand can be ascribed to an increased need for healthcare among the elderly and a greater focus on preventive and primary healthcare. Nurse practitioners also contribute increased value and expanded access to care as legislation improves, and jurisdictions grant N.P.s more independence when practicing.

This projected job rate is higher than other occupations within the same period. As mentioned earlier, the factors described above show why qualified N.P.s will be highly sought-after in the future years.

Hospitals, Physician Offices, and Other HealthCare Professionals are Among the Top Places Hiring N.P.s in 2022

In 2022 and beyond, outpatient care centers, hospitals and physician offices will continue to be the leading employers for N.P.s. Telemedicine is another growing sector and in need of competent N.P.s, alongside registered nurses (RNs). During the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak, hospitals and other healthcare organizations depended significantly on remote medical assistance, with many continuing to offer it as an option to date.

Psychiatric mental health is another area of growth for N.P.s. Psychiatric mental health N.P.s were in high demand even before a worldwide pandemic focused attention on Americans’ mental health. Vacancies for this skilled N.P. roles are anticipated to keep up with patient demand as individuals continue to struggle to manage various life stressors.

24 States in the U.S. Offer Patients Direct and Full Access to N.P.s

The 2021 United Health Foundation’s rankings of the top healthiest states include those that provide direct and full access to N.P.s. These states are Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Vermont, Connecticut, and Hawaii. States with limited access to N.P.s managed to rank as the least healthy states on the list. 

The awareness of the importance and relevance of N.P.s has positively impacted the overall provision of healthcare services in many states on the list. Registered nurses who have completed further schooling are known as nurse practitioners, also referred to as advanced practice registered nurses. 

Extra training enables these medical practitioners to record patient histories, do physical exams, conduct lab tests, interpret test findings, prescribe medications, prescribe treatments, and educate patients and their families on maintaining their health. Nurse practitioners are trained to work in various fields, such as pediatrics or women’s health, and specialize by patient demographic. They might also work in academics or research.

Becoming a Nurse Practitioner

Taking on a nurse practitioner career requires a significant duration in school. All nurse practitioners must first be registered nurses, which necessitates completing a bachelor’s degree, associate’s degree, or other authorized qualification. It is also necessary to pass the National Council Licensure Examination.

After that, you will need to earn a master’s or doctoral degree, which might require two to four years to complete. Further certification is required to utilize the APRN job title and board certification for your particular specialty. This might include neonatal care, women’s health, or pediatrics, to mention a few. In addition, you will need to get a state-specific license.  

For more information on nursing employment statistics, read our Chelle Law blog.