Job outlook for nurses: trends in 2026 and beyond

Demand for nurses is high. The COVID-19 pandemic is partly to blame, as it created severe shortages when nurses burned out under the stress and pressure. Since then, the industry has struggled to fully recover, leading to an ongoing demand for workers.¹

In 2026, the job outlook for registered nurses is positive, but the industry is changing. Nurses will require new skills and will need to fill new roles. Keep reading to discover current issues and trends affecting nurses.

What is the job outlook for nurses?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment for registered nurses will rise 5% from 2024 to 2034, with 166,100 openings available yearly.² Additionally, demand for nurse practitioners will grow roughly 35% in the same period. Both of these positions are set to grow faster than the average of all other jobs, suggesting a high need and an opportunity for nurses.³ According to these reports, current nurses seeking a new position or those wanting to try nursing will have a high possibility of securing a job.

What's driving the demand for nurses?

So, exactly why are nurses in high demand? The biggest issues are an aging population that requires more care, along with many nurses retiring or moving into advanced practice. On top of these problems, heavy workloads and nurse burnout are compounding labor shortages.

Aging population

The baby boomer generation, nearly one-quarter of the US population, is steadily aging.⁴ In 2025, older adults aged 65 and up outnumbered children in some states, and one in five people will be at retirement age by 2030.^4,5

Older adults, in general, are living longer than ever before, but many have chronic diseases that require high levels of care. About 92% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77% have two or more.⁶

Registered nurses (RN) are retiring

At the same time, many RNs and educators are leaving the workforce. A sample survey of RNs found that 23% of nurses had already retired or planned to in the next three to five years.⁷

Yet, the pipeline of newer nurses is showing strain as nursing programs reported a drop in enrollment for the 11th year in a row in 2025. Many schools have struggled to accept students because of a lack of clinical placements, educators, and budgets.⁸

Additionally, some states have introduced bills to expand advanced practice registered nurses’ (APRN) practice authority. Essentially, these bills will allow nurse practitioners and other APRNs to diagnose and treat patients. These moves could help with physician workload or shortages, but also take more nurses away from open positions.⁹

Nursing trends and emerging care models

While job opportunities for nursing students are positive, there are a few key trends and changes in the industry to consider. For one, new care models are emerging to meet demand and address shortages.

More telehealth and virtual nursing

Telehealth became the status quo through the pandemic, with roughly 87% of hospitals using services in 2022.¹⁰ Now, nurses and physicians regularly see and monitor patients remotely, including for mental health. Still, these changing care delivery models mean nurses must learn new strategies and adapt to new technologies while also maintaining professional standards of care.

Home-based and community-based care

Federally funded insurance programs have slowly shifted the priority of older adult care to home care models. Hospital-at-home programs, community-based care, and home-based care have increased, with positive results. This marks a major shift in how nurses reach, visit, and deliver care.¹¹

Value-based and preventive care

Value-based and preventive care initiatives focus on patient outcomes and the quality of care rather than quantity. Nurses consider patients’ individual needs and improve the coordination and experience of care.¹² In these models, nurses may spend more time with patients creating individual care plans and coordinating care.¹³

New technology requires new skills and roles

New technologies help relieve the admin burden for nurses, allowing more time for patients, but they involve a learning curve. Additionally, someone needs to manage the data and technology, which opens up new roles.

Next-gen tools

As AI evolves, healthcare technology also advances, changing the way nurses work in the field. Whether care now includes smart beds and in-room sensors or AI-assisted triage, these next-gen tools aim to help nurses make better decisions faster.¹⁴ Nurses now not only need strong patient care skills, but also strong tech skills and the ability to interpret data and spot potential inconsistencies.

New tech-centered roles

With new technology and digital data comes new nursing informatics and data analytics roles. These positions offer new ways to support patients without being at the bedside. Duties might range from optimizing EHR use and workflows or launching new technology for better patient care to interpreting trends to reduce adverse events.¹⁵

High-demand specialties and locations

The nurse job outlook is also particularly positive in certain specialties and locations. As Americans get older, more geriatric nurses will be in demand. Additionally, demand for advanced practice registered nurses, such as nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, is projected to grow 35% from 2024 to 2034.³

Rural areas and medically underserved regions are also desperate for trained nurses. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (NCHWA) projects a 13% shortage of RNs in rural areas by 2037, representing an opportunity for new and current nurses willing to relocate.¹⁶

Wages are growing

The high demand for nurses is also boosting wages and compensation packages. A survey of medical group leaders by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) found that nurse wages were up 4% in 2025.¹⁷

Nurses may see higher pay at hospitals, but practices and other organizations are offering other benefits to attract nurses. These might include shift premiums, sign-on bonuses, or other benefits, such as flexible schedules or wellness programs.

Secure your nursing future with a BSN online

So, what is the job outlook for nursing? The aging population and wave of retiring nurses are driving a shortage and industry demand. It’s a good thing for nurses as opportunities and wages are up. However, roles are changing, and new technologies are shifting the daily nursing practice. New and current nursing students need a strong education to succeed.

The Bachelor of Science in Nursing Online from Oklahoma City University offers a high-quality foundation designed to advance existing clinical skills. With no waitlists and a flexible format, you can learn online from expert faculty at your own pace. Book an appointment with an admissions outreach advisor to learn more.