National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN)

New findings on the state of the nursing workforce

In March 2024, HRSA released new data, survey results, and workforce projections on the U.S. nursing workforce.

Key findings of the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) show that the nursing workforce is becoming more diverse, more highly educated, but less satisfied with their job. The survey data also show the effects of COVID on the profession, while workforce projections show shortages increasing in nursing occupations through 2036.

Read the factsheet (PDF - 83 KB) for more information.

In 2022–2023, the National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, in collaboration with the U.S. Census Bureau, surveyed registered nurses in the United States. Nearly 50,000 registered nurses provided data. We compiled the results, produced several reports on the data, and updated an easy-to-use dashboard to display the latest information.

From its inaugural assessment in 1977, the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN) represents the longest running survey of registered nurses (RNs) in the United States. The survey examines the characteristics of registered nurses and their experiences in nursing.

How can I review findings on the nursing workforce?

We provide summary reports as well as a dashboard to present our findings on the nursing workforce, based on data from the 2022 NSSRN.

Nursing reports and briefs

Nursing Education and Training: Data from the 2022 NSSRN (PDF - 425 KB)
Experiences of Nurses Working During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Data from the 2022 NSSRN (PDF - 288 KB)
Job Satisfaction Among Registered Nurses: Data from the 2022 NSSRN (PDF - 389 KB)

Nursing Workforce Dashboard

The Nursing Workforce Dashboard visualizes data from both the 2022 and 2018 NSSRN, which includes detailed information on the nursing workforce in the United States. This dashboard provides insights on the nursing profession by showing their work environment, education, demographics, hours, earnings, and more. It also helps us predict what nurses will need in the future.

The dashboard enables you to access the 400,000 unique data points from the survey and visualize this data on the nursing workforce landscape, including demographics, employment, education, earnings, and hours for various categories of nurses (RNs, NPs, and APRNs).

The dashboard serves as a benchmark for providing educators, health workforce leaders, and policymakers with key details and developments of the nursing workforce supply.

Because these data were based on the nursing workforce in December 2021, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is now reflected in the dashboard.

Training videos on the Nursing Dashboard

We developed these videos in Zoom to demonstrate how to use the features of the dashboard.

Part 1: Introduction, the Demographics Tab, the Education/Licenses Tab (21:34 min)
Part 2: The Employment and Work Environment Tabs (8:32 min)
Part 3: The Earnings and Hours Tabs (8:16 min)

Where can I find more data from the NSSRN?

Visit the Data Warehouse for Nursing Workforce Survey Data. Find data on registered nurses from 1977-2022 and nurse practitioners from our 2012 survey.

You can also download the survey questionnaire, 2022 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (PDF - 1 MB).

Where can I find information on the 2018 NSSRN?

We maintain the following information on the 2018 survey and findings from the data.

Brief Summary of Results: 2018 NSSRN (PDF - 848 KB)
Technical Documentation for the 2018 NSSRN (PDF - 7 MB)*
Nursing Education and Training in the United States (PDF - 524 KB)
Brief: Job Satisfaction Among Registered Nurses – Pre-COVID
2018 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (PDF - 906 KB)*

Who do I contact with questions?

Email us at NCHWAinquiries@hrsa.gov.

*If you use assistive technology, you may not be able to access information in this file. For help, call 1-800-221-9393 (TTY: 877-897-9910), 8 a.m.-8 p.m. ET weekdays (except federal holidays).

Date Last Reviewed:

March 2024