NurseJournal, an educational website, used Bureau of Labor Statistics data to compare the population of each state with its number of employed nurses to examine the nurse shortage on a state-by-state basis. States with a low number of nurses per capita are likely to have a greater nurse shortage.
Here are the states, and the District of Columbia, with the highest and lowest rates of employed nurses per 1,000 people:
Lowest rates
Utah: 6.75
Idaho: 7.06
New Mexico: 7.53
Oklahoma: 7.54
Nevada: 7.54
Georgia: 7.6
Arizona: 7.61
Texas: 7.69
Virginia: 8
Maryland: 8.08
Highest rates
District of Columbia: 17.59
South Dakota: 15.78
North Dakota: 14.5
Massachusetts: 13.48
West Virginia: 11.89
Missouri: 11.4
Delaware: 11.28
Minnesota: 11.16
Ohio: 11.09
Vermont: 10.71
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
