The number of professional nurses and midwives employed in US hospitals is forecasted to exhibit a consistent declining trend from 2024 to 2028. In 2023, the recorded figure stood at approximately 2 million persons. Annually, the workforce is projected to decrease slightly, with a year-on-year decline averaging around 0.6% during this period. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) over the five-year span shows an average decrease of about 0.63% per year.

Future trends to watch for:

Technological advancements and automation in healthcare could impact demand for traditional nursing roles.
Emerging healthcare policies aimed at increasing nurse retention and training might counterbalance the projected decline.
Population aging and chronic disease prevalence could increase the need for specialized nursing and midwifery care.