Travel Nursing Statistics in the US: A Deep Dive into the Industry
The US is currently facing a shortage of nurses, which is leading to increased healthcare costs and a decrease in the overall quality of life for people across the country. There are significant gaps in the nursing field due to several factors. Firstly, many nurses are experiencing burnout. Also, the population is aging, implying that more nurses are required in the country since this is one of the main drivers of healthcare needs. In addition, current capacity in nursing schools needs to be capable of training new nurses on exclusive skills. Lastly, delays in employment-based immigration have also contributed to the shortage of nurses. So, how many travel nurses are in the US? Let’s uncover some of the important travel nurse statistics in this post.
Travel Nurse Statistics and Facts
Before we start looking at travel nurse statistics, let’s first understand what these nurses actually do.
A travel nurse is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or registered nurse (RN) who is hired for a short period to work in a specific location and then moves on to another region. Travel nurses are highly skilled individuals who work temporary nursing positions in locations where there is a significant demand for patient care.
Travel nursing became more popular in 2020 because of the pandemic. Many organizations needed to ensure they had enough staff in hospitals. As a result, travel nurses have become crucial in filling this gap. The change can be attributed to two main factors:
1. Staff nurses are currently experiencing low morale and fatigue, which is resulting in a higher number of resignations and retirements. This, in turn, is making it challenging for facilities to recruit new nurses at the same rate.
2. Many nurses are choosing to leave their permanent and stable jobs in favor of temporary employment in order to increase their income. Travel nurse agencies are known to assist nurses in earning a weekly income of $5,000 or even more.
Below are some travel nurse statistics based on estimates using a database of 30 million profiles:
– There are currently more than 1.7 million traveling nurses in the US
– Approximately 84.1% of traveling nurses are women, while around 15.9% are men
– The average age of traveling nurses is 43 years old
The majority of traveling nurses are White, accounting for 65.8% of the total. Black or African American nurses make up 11.9% of the group, while Asian nurses make up 8.9%, and Hispanic or Latino nurses make up 8.7%
How many Travel Nurses in the US
The shortage of nurses is expected to worsen as baby boomers age and require more healthcare services. The issue is exacerbated by the fact that nursing schools across the country need help expanding their capability to meet the increasing demand for healthcare. However, there are still over 1.7 million travel nurses in the US.
Based on a Health Workforce Analysis for travel nurse statistics published by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) in November 2022, it is projected that there will be a shortage of 78,610 full-time RNs in 2025, along with the shortage of 63,720 full-time RNs in 2030. The ten states that are expected to have the highest nursing shortage in 2035 are Washington, with a projected shortage of 26%, followed by Georgia with 21%, California with 18%, Oregon with 16%, Michigan with 15%, Idaho with 15%, Louisiana with 13%, North Carolina with 13%, New Jersey with 12%, and South Carolina with 11%.
The US Census Bureau has reported that the number of US citizens 65 years old and above is expected to rise from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050, accounting for 23% of the total population. As the number of older adults grows, there will be a greater demand for geriatric care.
Recruiting Travel Nurses in the US
Nowadays, a large number of nurses from different specialties select travel nursing as their field of work. The kind of assignments available ranges from short-term contracts to long-term placements in a variety of healthcare facilities. These settings can range from big teaching hospitals to smaller community clinics. Travel nurse statistics show a high demand for these nurses.
Skilled nurses can be hired in two different ways. Healthcare providers can directly employ them, or they can be hired through staffing agencies. These agencies take care of everything involved in the process, such as vetting, credentialing, onboarding, scheduling, and performance assessments.
There are multiple benefits to hiring travel nurses to support and supplement the existing nursing staff, regardless of the method used for hiring. During flu season, if a hospital has a sudden increase in the number of patients or if many staff members are taking sick days, travel nurses can be brought in temporarily to help out and make sure that patient care is not affected. Additionally, there are long-term cost savings that can be achieved by allowing staff to have flexible schedules, which can help reduce overtime expenses for permanent employees and more.
Conclusion
The travel nurse statistics identify a prevailing nursing shortage crisis that calls for solutions. The shortage is due to a range of factors; hence, there is a need to implement a range of strategies to counter it. These include addressing educational disparities, identifying measures to help nurses stay in the profession, minimizing burnout, and solving immigration issues.
Raisso – an Arthur Lawrence company, connects healthcare providers with top-tier professionals who have undergone rigorous screening, interviewing, and verification processes. You focus on delivering superior patient care while we streamline the entire process, from sourcing to placement. We are committed to addressing the healthcare talent shortage crisis by establishing strategic partnerships, employing innovative solutions, and prioritizing the provision of exceptional patient care. Let’s collaborate to establish a stronger and more resilient healthcare workforce.