Problem – America Needs More Nurses

The Nursing Shortage is the #1 Workforce Problem in Healthcare

The United States is facing a nursing shortage that is directly undermining the quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare.

Multiple factors contribute to the problem, from workforce challenges to limitations in nursing education:

Increased demand: An aging population and rising rates of chronic illness require more nurses than ever.
Geographic disparities: Rural and underserved communities face the most severe shortages.
Retirements: A large segment of the current nursing workforce is nearing retirement age.
Retention: Stress, long-hours, and burnout have led many nurses to leave the profession.
Education bottlenecks: Nursing schools struggle with limited faculty and clinical training spots, restricting new entrants.

It’s time to take action. Learn more about our solution.

Alarming Statistics Show the Shortage is Getting Worse

2 in 5

The number of nurses The National Council of State Boards of Nursing predicts will leave the industry in the next five years.

– NCSBN

9:1,000

On average, there are nine RNs for every 1,000 people in the U.S.

– U.S. Chamber of Commerce

78,610

That’s the projected shortage of full-time RNs that federal authorities anticipate in 2025.

– American Association of Colleges of Nursing

100,000

Nurses left the workforce from 2020 to 2021, the most substantial decline in the past 40 years.

– U.S. Chamber of Commerce

193,100

The number of projected job openings for RNs on average per year until 2032.

– The U.S. Chamber of Commerce

293

Rural hospitals were at risk of immediate closure due to shortages in 2023.

– U.S. Chamber of Commerce

42 Out of 50

States will likely experience shortages in nursing staff by 2030.

– U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Learn more about who we are and what we believe.

AAIHR Members

Our Members are on the Frontlines of America's Nursing Shortage

The AAIHR is the premier advocate for international healthcare workers and the health systems that rely on them. Learn how our ethical recruiting standards protect international health care workers.

contact us

Send Us a Message