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Background

This document summarizes the eighth annual survey of hospital registered nurse (RN) employers. The surveys collect data on demand for RNs, changes that have occurred over time, and information specific to the hiring of newly-graduated nurses.

Results

• The vast majority of hospital chief nursing officers (CNOs) reported that there was greater demand for RNs than supply.
• The shortage was primarily for nurses with clinical experience, particularly for the clinical areas of peri-operative (OR) care, critical care, labor & delivery, and the emergency department.
• Demand for experienced RNs was greatest in the Central California region and lowest in the San Francisco Bay Area.
• Hospitals indicated that there is a surplus of new RN graduates, although the demand for new RN graduates has slowly improved between 2013 and 2017.
• Demand for new RN graduates was strongest in the Sacramento and Northern Counties region and the San Francisco Bay Area, and weakest in the Southern Border region.