20 U.S. states experience massive nursing shortages
WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES — Healthcare staffing company Medical Solutions has released the list of 20 American states facing a nursing crunch based on the current nurse-to-state population ratios and projected need by 2030.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said that demand for registered nurses will grow by 6% from 2022 to 2032. This is faster than the average for all occupations—with about 193,100 openings projected each year
The U.S. healthcare shortage has been attributed to an aging population, with baby boomers turning 65 or older by 2030. This age group needs ample care as they are the most susceptible to developing chronic diseases.
The shortage was compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused a wave of nurses to leave the medical field due to burnout and unfair compensation.
To fill in the workforce gaps, hospital organizations are turning to virtual nurses and artificial intelligence. Some are also outsourcing staff offshore.
Arizona
Ratio: 7.61 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 22,980 nurses
California
Ratio: 8.34 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 35,000 nurses
Colorado
Ratio: 8.97 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 15,170 nurses
Florida
Ratio: 8.88 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 27,390 nurses
Georgia
Ratio: 7.6 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 13,260 nurses
Illinois
Ratio: 10.28 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 6,250 nurses
Indiana
Ratio: 9.86 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 5,210 nurses
Maryland
Ratio: 8.08 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 12,320 nurses
Michigan
Ratio: 10.11 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 8,160 nurses
Nevada
Ratio: 7.54 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 5,590 nurses
New Jersey
Ratio: 8.46 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 7,190 nurses
New York
Ratio: 9.68 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 33,420 nurses
North Carolina
Ratio: 9.75 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 11,770 nurses
Pennsylvania
10.64 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 13,100 nurses
South Carolina
8.33 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 4,990 nurses
Tennessee
Ratio: 8.63 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 10,870 nurses
Texas
Ratio: 7.69 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 37,740 nurses
Utah
Ratio: 6.75 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 4,980 nurses
Virginia
Ratio: 8.00 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 5,560 nurses
Washington
Ratio: 8.34 nurses per 1,000 people
Projected need by 2030: 9,990 nurses
