The reasons why nurses are in high demand are because of an aging population, an aging workforce, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Certain nursing specialties and nurses with advanced degrees are also in high demand due to the nursing shortage.
Before making a decision to switch to a nursing career, you might wonder, Are nurses in demand right now? Along with being the most trusted profession in the U.S., nursing is high on the list of the most in-demand jobs. The U.S. has a nationwide shortage of skilled health professionals and a nursing shortage.
Nurses remain in high demand due to several factors, including an aging population, medical advances, and the aftermath of the COVID-19 global health crisis that saw many nurses leave the profession.
If you’re thinking about taking advantage of the demand and become a nurse, Utica University can help you achieve your goal. Utica’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) and Advanced Standing B.S. in Nursing programs offer a faster pathway toward making a career transition. Through our hybrid online or in-person programs, you could earn your B.S. in Nursing in as few as 16 months after completing any needed degree requirements.
Discover the benefits of earning your nursing degree in Albany by examining ABSN programs in NY.
While considering making a career transition, check out the answers to questions like, Is there a nursing shortage and if so, why? Then, discover where nurses are most in demand and learn about some of the top nursing specialties that healthcare employers need.
Why Is There a Nursing Shortage?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), about 166,100 registered nurse (RN) jobs will be added from 2024 through 2034. That’s a job growth rate of 5%, which is faster than the national average for all professions.
Several factors make nursing an in-demand profession, but the ongoing shortage of registered nurses is the most significant factor. The U.S. population is aging, and older individuals require more healthcare services to manage their complex medical needs.
The nursing workforce is also aging, which creates additional strain on the health system. Additionally, there aren’t enough experienced nurse educators to instruct the next generation.
Baby Boomers Need Healthcare Services
Baby boomer refers to a generation of Americans born between 1946 and 1964, post-World War II, when Americans returned to the workforce and began expanding their families. Those in this generation are now older, and older individuals tend to have more medical problems and complex healthcare needs. This creates a rise in demand for healthcare, which in turn requires an increase in qualified health staff.
Medical Advancements Increase Longevity
The last several decades have seen incredible scientific and medical advances offering more effective treatment options for chronic conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Alongside these advancements, the life expectancy for Americans has been steadily increasing. In 2025, the U.S. life expectancy was 79.4 years.
Experienced Nurses Are Closer to Retirement
According to a 2017 study cited by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), about one-third of the nation’s nursing faculty were predicted to retire by the end of 2025. As of 2024, a second study published in the Nursing Outlook journal confirmed these projections to be accurate. Currently, the rate at which these experienced nurses are retiring outpaces the rate and number of nurses that are graduating and moving on to advanced degrees or teaching roles.
Is nursing a good career choice for you? Explore some top reasons why it may be time to make the switch.
Where Are Nurses in High Demand?
Nurses are in high demand nationwide, especially in big cities and well-populated states. According to the Health Workforce Analysis from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the top 10 states projected to have the most nursing positions available are:
- Washington
- Georgia
- California
- Oregon
- Michigan
- Idaho
- Louisiana
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- South Carolina
Rural areas are also facing a shortage of health professionals. There are unique challenges with access to healthcare in rural areas due to lower population density and fewer healthcare facilities. Once you have your B.S. in Nursing, job opportunities are plentiful in big cities and smaller towns.
What Nursing Specialties Are in High Demand?
Nurses are in high demand nationwide, but a few specialties have an even greater need. Here are some of the most in-demand nursing specialties:
Critical Care Nursing
Critical care nurses are among the most highly trained and in-demand nursing specialties. They work in hospitals in general, cardiac, neurological, or surgical intensive care units (ICUs), or in the emergency department. Critical care nurses excel at multitasking when managing vasoactive infusions and ventilators, assisting with complex bedside procedures, and most importantly, administering life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
If you like a fast-paced environment that requires quick decision-making and critical-thinking skills, critical care might be right for you.
Oncology Nursing
With the tremendous advances in cancer treatments over the last several decades, patients are often able to survive and thrive long after a cancer diagnosis. It takes highly skilled nurses to help patients through their cancer journey.
Oncology nurses work with adults or pediatric patients in various settings. They work in inpatient units, outpatient clinics, and infusion centers, or even rotate between all three. Modern cancer care often includes a combination of treatments, and nurses are needed to implement this care as part of the oncology care team.
Nurses With Master’s Degrees
Nurse educators have a master's degree in nursing education and play a critical role in the nursing field. Still, there aren’t enough nurse educators to teach the next generation of caregivers. If you decide to continue your education after earning your B.S. in Nursing, a career as a nurse educator is an in-demand nursing specialty.
The aging U.S. population has also strained the supply of physicians, increasing the demand for advanced practice nurses, especially in rural areas. Family nurse practitioners and nurse midwives are nursing specialties in high demand in rural areas that lack primary care services and are several hours from a large hospital or medical group.
Getting your Bachelor of Science in Nursing is the first step toward these high-demand specialties.
Learn how a B.S. in Nursing can prepare you for advanced nursing degrees.
The Future of Nursing Careers
The demand for nurses is expected to continue for quite some time, making nursing an ideal career to consider. Additionally, advancing your nursing career to become an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), such as a nurse practitioner, affords greater clinical autonomy and entry into leadership roles.
The nursing field may embrace some emerging trends in the years to come, including:
- Increasing use of technology in nursing, including telehealth
- A stronger focus on mental health
- Expansion in nursing specializations
- More significant role of nurses in shaping public policy
How to Become a Nurse With a Degree From Utica University
The reasons why nurses are in high demand are complex, but the solution is simple. The country needs more passionate and caring individuals to join the nursing workforce as registered nurses.
Rather than repeating your education, use your non-nursing college credits to accelerate your nursing career. At Utica University, you can earn a B.S. in Nursing in as few as 16 months. At either of our ABSN program locations in New York, you’ll have a friendly learning community to help you along the way and personalized assistance from our Academic Success Coaches.
Contact an admission representative to begin your path into the nursing profession today.
