New Report on Nursing Shortage: Challenges Persist Amid Positive Steps

April 23, 2025

The state of the nursing workforce in the U.S. shows some signs of recovery, although long term projections are shaky, according to a recently released report by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN). The findings are from their 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study, which surveyed 800,000 nurses to understand the state of the workforce since their 2022 study revealed a workforce crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic.

The data reveal that more than 138,000 nurses left the workforce since 2022 and by 2029, almost 40 percent of current nurses intend to leave the workforce, reinforcing concerns about ongoing labor shortages and systemic workforce challenges, the report indicates.

 “It is necessary to continue efforts to retain more experienced nurses and address longstanding factors associated with nurses’ premature intent to leave, ensuring dependable workforce planning moving forward,” said Phil Dickison, NCSBN’s chief executive officer.

Here are a few things to know:

• Alarming Exodus:  9 percent of registered nurses (RN) and 41.3 percent of licensed practical nurses (LPN) and vocational nurses (VN) reported an intent to leave the workforce or retire within the next five years.
• Glass Half Full:  Employment levels have rebounded slightly, with 87.7 percent of RN licensees and 70.6 percent of LPN/VN licensees now actively employed in nursing.

• Pay Increases:  Median pre-tax annual earnings for both RNs and LPNs have increased by 10–16 percent.

The report is available online.

HAP is advocating for policies to grow Pennsylvania’s nursing workforce and teamed up with LeadingAge PA, and Pennsylvania Health Care Association to conduct a health care workforce survey in Pennsylvania. The survey—conducted November 2024 through January—demonstrates the ways patients and residents feel the effects of workforce shortages throughout the continuum of care.