Nursing in the country looks bright in 2023 as it remains the top-rated profession in terms of honesty and ethics. In addition, nursing jobs continue to be in demand due to multiple factors. From nurse practitioner salary data and nurse practitioner job market to advanced practice registered nurses growth rate and certified registered nurse anesthetists job outlook, knowing the latest nursing statistics and trends for 2023 is a great step in moving forward in your career as a nurse. 

Latest nursing statistics & trends to watch out for in 2023

Many institutions have forecasted growth and multiple trends in the nursing industry for the current year. Generally, the future of nursing seems great with the demands of various nursing specialties. Below are some of the highlights that you should look out for.

Nursing jobs continue to be in demand

Now more than ever, the country needs nurses to provide proper care and monitor treatment. In fact, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecast a growth in nurse employment by about 6 percent from 2021 to 2031. To add to the numbers, the institution sees an average of 203,200 nursing jobs opening each year.

The demand for nurses continues to rise because of many factors. First, there is an aging population with comorbidities and illnesses that need to be taken care of. High nurse turnover also significantly affects nursing employment. 

As many nurses resign from their jobs due to various reasons, the demand keeps rising. The current workforce also includes nurses who are almost hitting their retirement age. Thus, there is a need to augment the workforce with the younger generation. 

Rise in telemedicine opens job opportunities for nurses

The pandemic has very much changed the way people seek healthcare. Due to lockdown restrictions in the past years, people have explored telemedicine where they seek consultation through virtual calls. 

Even after the situation has become close to normal, many continue to explore telemedicine and telehealth.

The shift to telemedicine and telehealth took nurses by surprise when it comes to using technology. However, many nursing schools and institutions have learned from this. Nurses and aspiring nurses are now being trained to use information technology to develop their digital skill set and be ready for work in this new way of healthcare.

More employment opportunities for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners

Similar to how there will be a general growth in nursing job opportunities, the BLS also foresees more jobs for nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners. 

Employment is projected to grow 40 percent within a ten-year timeframe from 2021 to 2031. This number is higher than the average among all occupations.

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) who have received specialty training will see high demand in their fields of specialization. Nurse practitioner salary data shows an average annual salary of $123,780 which is higher than that of registered nurses at $77,600.

Going into detail, the certified registered nurse anesthetists job outlook looks bright. Nurse anesthetists have training in the administration of anesthesia. Doctors’ offices, hospitals, traumata centers, local health centers, and medical facilities that need this knowledge and skill set will be hiring nurse anesthetists in their organizations.

More demand for nurse practitioners

Because of their advanced training and post-graduate studies, nurse practitioners have more specialized skill sets. The nurse practitioner job market is promising with a projected increase in advanced practice registered nurses growth rate. Demand in the nurse practitioner job market is attributed to multiple factors. 

For one, the current healthcare system needs more physicians yet the supply of doctors can't keep up. The Association of Medical Colleges estimates a shortage of physicians by 2034 with numbers between 37,800 and 124,000. Along this line, both primary and specialty healthcare will be compromised.

With advanced training, nurse practitioners can fulfill some of the duties of physicians. Also, more and more people are taking healthcare seriously. In effect, people will consume more healthcare services which call for additional nurse practitioners in the field.

Numbers from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners show that there are over 355,000 nurse practitioners in the country in 2021. Since many are finishing their nurse practitioner academic programs, this number will definitely grow.

Better salaries for nurses

High demand for nurses will also impact the salary range being offered by medical facilities. As they continue to hire and look for more nurses to join their team, healthcare institutions will hopefully create better salary packages and benefits to entice applicants.

In 2018, CNN reported that hospitals are offering recruitment incentives such as housing, sign-up bonuses, and even educational support for the children of potential nurse employees. This recruitment trend on the end of employers will continue, especially that they are feeling the effects of the ongoing nurse shortage.

Nursing statistics and trends for 2023

Numbers do not lie. In a nutshell, statistics show that nursing is indeed an in-demand profession. Regardless if they go into further education and specialty training, registered nurses will find multiple work opportunities in 2023. Nurses must stay updated on trends such as nurse practitioner salary data, the nurse practitioner job market, advanced practice registered nurses growth rate, and certified registered nurse anesthetists job outlook to see the career opportunities ahead of them.