Are you nervous to embark on travel nursing? Get some inspiration from one of our travel nurses, Leana Carlberg, who recently gave this incredible speech to the graduating nursing students at her alma mater, Fitchburg State University (FSU) in Fitchburg.

<p>
  <a
    href="https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fec23c65f480b4f8699dc832816bf2973%2F94a6f13eb5ea41c68f2ee5968ce9503d"
    id="single_image"
    ><img
      alt="example1"
      src="https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fec23c65f480b4f8699dc832816bf2973%2F94a6f13eb5ea41c68f2ee5968ce9503d"
      style="float: right; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px; width: 300px; height: 380px;"
    />
  </a>
</p>

<p>
  Nationally, healthcare related careers, and specifically RN jobs will continue
  to grow at a rate far exceeding the US average for all jobs. According to the
  Bureau of Labor and Statistics, demand for RNs is expected to grow by an
  average of 16% per year&mdash;more than double the average for all
  jobs&mdash;which is 7%.
</p>

<p>
  As a headline, this data would strongly suggest that the US nursing shortage
  will not only continue into the foreseeable future, but that the gap between
  jobs and the availability of qualified nurses will continue to widen. And
  while this may be true, it is important to remember that employment data is
  only relevant to us if we are evaluating supply and demand within our local
  job market.
</p>

<p>
  Cross Country Healthcare, the nation&rsquo;s leader in primary healthcare
  staffing, will be publishing a series of documents to help healthcare
  professionals better understand the US job market and provide insight to help
  RNs navigate their careers over the next 10 years. The series will explore
  local job markets by state and metropolitan area, salary variations by
  location and by cost of living factors, economic and other factors that may be
  tightening the job market for RNs, the skills gap and ways that RNs can
  improve their opportunities for both placement and career advancement.
</p>

<p>
  The first article in this series, <strong>Where are the jobs?</strong> Looks
  more deeply at local supply and demand for RNs today, and over the next 8
  years.
</p>

<h2><strong>Where are the jobs/nurses?</strong></h2>

<p>
  Using data from 2012 and a study conducted by the US Department of Health and
  Human Services that projects nursing supply and demand through year 2025, we
  can not only gain insight into the future nursing market, but we can
  extrapolate today&rsquo;s demand for RNs by state as well. Clearly factors
  influencing demand for nurses within a specific area include the size of the
  population, age and overall health of the population, as well as economic
  factors and the availability of affordable health insurance.
</p>

<p>
  It is estimated that we have about 3.26 million RNs in the US today and about
  3.13 million nursing jobs available. Over the previous 10 years, the number of
  nursing graduates has steadily risen each year and in 2016 we welcomed 157,000
  new RNs to the US workforce. This is very important, because the number of
  retiring nurses is also growing annually, and today, more than 50% of the RN
  workforce is age 50 or older. It is estimated that over 1 million RNs will
  reach retirement age in the next 15 years.
</p>

<p>
  The first table provides an estimate of the number of nursing jobs within the
  top ten states for RNs today as well as a projection of the number of
  positions that will be available in those states in 2025.
</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width:75%">
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <th valign="middle" width="25%">State*</th>
      <th valign="middle" width="25%">Nursing Jobs (2017)</th>
      <th valign="middle" width="25%">Nursing Jobs (2025)</th>
      <th valign="middle" width="25%">Percent Change</th>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">California</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">321,846</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">393,600</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">22%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">Texas</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">225,192</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">278,300</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">24%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">New York</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">199,354</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">212,400</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">7%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">Florida</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">192,331</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">225,500</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">17%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">Pennsylvania</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">147,923</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">152,600</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">3%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">Ohio</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">133,215</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">137,400</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">3%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">Illinois</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">131,977</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">140,100</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">6%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">North Carolina</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">105,108</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">120,000</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">14%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">Michigan</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">99,492</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">104,600</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">5%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">New Jersey</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">89,946</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">98,500</td>
      <td valign="top" width="25%">10%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td colspan="4" valign="top" width="443">
        <p>
          <a href="https://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/oes-report"
            >* View data for all 50 states</a
          >
        </p>
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width:100%">
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <th valign="middle" width="20%">State*</th>
      <th valign="middle" width="20%">Excess Demand (2017)</th>
      <th valign="middle" width="20%">Percentage of RN jobs unfilled (2017)</th>
      <th valign="middle" width="20%">Excess Demand (2025)</th>
      <th valign="middle" width="20%">Percentage of RN jobs unfilled (2025)</th>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Arizona</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">10,808</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">20%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">28,100</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">48%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">North Carolina</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">4,962</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">5%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">12,900</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">12%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Colorado</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">4,962</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">11%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">12,900</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">28%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Maryland</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">4,654</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">8%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">12,100</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">20%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Nevada</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">3,000</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">14%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">7,800</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">32%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Washington</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">2,692</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">4%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">7,000</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">10%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Georgia</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">2,577</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">3%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">6,700</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">7%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Oregon</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">2,308</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">7%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">6,000</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">18%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">California</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">1,423</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">&gt;1%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">3,700</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">1%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">New Mexico</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">1,308</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">8%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">3,400</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">18%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td colspan="5" valign="top" width="441">
        <p>
          <a href="https://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/oes-report"
            >* View data for all 50 states</a
          >
        </p>
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

<p>
  <br />
  Conversely, despite the overall US shortage of RNs, these states currently
  have an excess of RNs beyond positions available. The table below also shows
  the projected trend for 2025.
</p>

<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="width:100%">
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <th valign="middle" width="20%">State*</th>
      <th valign="middle" width="20%">Excess Supply (2017)</th>
      <th valign="middle" width="20%">
        Percentage of unavailable RN jobs (2017)
      </th>
      <th valign="middle" width="20%">Excess Supply (2025)</th>
      <th valign="middle" width="20%">
        Percentage of unavailable RN jobs (2025)
      </th>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Ohio</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">29,000</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">18%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">75,400</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">35%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Pennsylvania</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">23,154</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">14%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">60,200</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">28%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">New York</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">9,000</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">4%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">23,400</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">10%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Iowa</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">8,192</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">19%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">21,300</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">38%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">New Jersey</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">8,038</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">8%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">20,900</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">18%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Indiana</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">7,769</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">10%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">20,200</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">22%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Virginia</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">7,462</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">9%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">19,400</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">18%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Minnesota</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">7,077</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">10%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">18,400</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">22%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Louisiana</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">7,000</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">14%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">18,200</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">28%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">Oklahoma</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">6,808</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">17%</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">17,700</td>
      <td valign="top" width="20%">32%</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td colspan="5" valign="top" width="441">
        <p>
          <a href="https://www.crosscountryhealthcare.com/oes-report"
            >* View data for all 50 states</a
          >
        </p>
      </td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

<div>
  <p>
    Certainly there are many factors to consider when pursuing a career as an
    RN. Many involve your individual qualities and your ability to perform the
    responsibilities at a high level, but location may also be a consideration
    for you. It is clear from the data presented that nurses in Georgia (7%
    demand | 2025), for example, will have different career options than nurses
    in Indiana (-22% demand | 2025) over at least the next 8 to 10 years. But it
    is also likely that nurses in Arizona, Nevada and other states with a
    significant nursing shortage may be overworked and faced with burnout while
    they struggle to fill the demand for RNs in the market. And while markets
    such as North Carolina, Washington and Oregon appear to be prime locations
    to start or continue your nursing career, locations such as Ohio,
    Pennsylvania and Iowa may present employment challenges for RNs in the
    foreseeable future.
  </p>

  <p>
    One advantage to RNs nationally, and specifically those interested in
    relocating, is a travel nursing program. Traveling nurses have the ability
    to fill demand where it is needed, explore many areas of the country and
    work in a variety of environments. Travel nurses gain significant experience
    while realizing the benefits of travel within well organized and managed
    programs and they can certainly use these opportunities to evaluate
    relocation options. Travel nurses typically start their careers as travelers
    and potentially end their careers with travel programs as well, but
    traveling does offer benefits to nurses in all stages of their careers.
    Skill enhancement and technology access are big drivers. Many RNs also
    choose travel to gain access to prestigious hospitals and educators; and
    access to cutting edge healthcare tools and technologies that may not be
    available in their current market.
  </p>

  <p>
    For RNs starting their careers today, building them or maintaining them,
    location should be a consideration.
  </p>
</div>


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