Publications

Commuting Patterns of RNs in California

Author(s): 
Date: 
Mar 2008

Commuting of registered nurses (RNs) has important implications for nursing shortages. A county or region might have a large number of resident RNs, but if many of those RNs work in a different county or region, employers in the region of residence might perceive a shortage. California’s counties are large, compared with counties in many other states, so inter-county commuting may not be an important phenomenon. However, if many nurses cross county lines when they commute, inferences about county and regional RN shortages may not accurately represent labor market conditions. This brief report provides information on inter-county commuting, based on a survey of California RNs conducted in 2006.