Why Nurses leave the Bedside; An RN's Perspective
Statistics: Average Age of The American RN"The average age of the RN population in March 2000 was 
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"The National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses documents the continuing trend in the aging RN population in 2000. In 1980, the majority (52.9 percent) of the
RN population was under the age of 40, while in 2000 less than one-third (31.7 percent) were under 40. The major drop was among those under the age of 30. In
1980, 25.1 percent of RNs were under the age of 30 compared to only 9.1 percent in 2000. In 1980, 40.5 percent of RNs were under the age of 35 compared to 18.3
percent in 2000. The average age of the RN population was 45.2 in 2000 compared to 44.3 in 1996....
As indicated in earlier surveys, younger nurses are more likely than older nurses to be employed in hospitals. In March 2000, the average age of the hospital nurse
was 41.8, almost two years less than the average age of 43.3 for all employed RNs. Nurses in student health services, nursing education, and planning or licensing
agencies had the highest average ages (see Chart 17). Nearly three-fourths of all employed nurses under the age of 30 worked in the hospital. In contrast, less than
half of nurses who were 50 years of age or older worked in hospitals (see Appendix A, Table 18).
"  National Survey, get link in here

Registered Nurse Population [Compiled Oct 1998] 
* 2,558,874 Licensed in the USA
* 228,289 (9%) under 30 years old 
* 711,050 (27.8%) 30 - 39 years old
* 843,757 (33%) 40 - 49 years old
* 464,749 (18.2%) 50 - 59 years old
* 293,800 (11.5%) 60+ years old
* 44.3 average age (up from 43.1 in 1992)
Registered Nurse Statistics FACT SHEET 
From the American Association of Critical Care Nurses Webpages [
numerous citations for data. See Source]
Graph/numbers 1980-2002
4 year Increments
Click on Thumbnail to Enlarge
Age of The RN Workforce
"The average age of the RN population in March 2000 was estimated to be 45.2 years, nearly one year older than in 1996 when the average age was 44.5. The average age of RNs working in nursing increased from 42.3 years in 1996 to 43.3 in 2000.
In 1980, 52.9 percent of all RNs were estimated to be under the age of 40, compared to 2000 when only 31.7 percent reported being under the age of 40. The most significant drop in numbers was seen among those RNs under the age of 35. In 1980, 40.5 percent of RNs were under the age of 35, compared to 18.3 percent in 2000. The RN population under 30 dropped from an estimated 25.1 percent in 1980 to only 9.1 percent in 2000. "
The Registered Nurse Population National Sample Survey of  Registered Nurses - March 2000 Preliminary Findings - February 2001. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Professions, Division of Nursing;     Cited at Nurseweek 

"The nursing population is aging, and the age of new entrants to the profession is increasing. This poses real concerns as to whether there will be enough RNs to meet the nursing care needs of the nation -- as aging RNs leave the profession or retire, and as their ranks are replenished by new nurses who themselves are older, and as the aging of the population as a whole likely increases needs for care in acute, chronic, home-based and community settings. ....."
The National Sample Survey of RNs:  What does it tell us?  by David Keepnews, JD, MPH, RN 
Nursing World.May/June 1998