Oregon’s nurse workforce is becoming younger according to “Aging Trends in Oregon’s Nursing Workforce,” a new report from the Oregon Center for Nursing (OCN). The report is a follow up to OCN’s 2017 report on the demographic characteristics of the nursing workforce.

“For many years reports on the nursing workforce have focused on the number of nurses nearing retirement age,” said OCN Executive Director, Jana R. Bitton, MPA. “As the workforce grows younger, we see interesting implications for workforce planning.”

To conduct the study, OCN examined data obtained from nurse licensees in 2012, 2014 and 2016. Results showed the number of nurses in their 20s and 30s has increased by almost 20% since 2012. OCN was also able to show the trend toward a younger workforce is being seen across the state, in both urban and rural areas, and in a variety of work settings.

“We still have a large percentage of nurses nearing retirement age,” said Bitton. “If nurses start retiring in large waves, facilities may be hard pressed to find new nurses quickly or have enough experienced staff to train their new workforce.”

To view or download “Aging Trends in Oregon’s Nursing Workforce”, or other reports from the Oregon Center for Nursing, visit www.oregoncenterfornursing.org

OCN is a nonprofit organization created by nursing leaders in 2002. OCN facilitates research and collaboration for Oregon’s nursing workforce to support informed, well-prepared, diverse and exceptional nursing professionals. Recognized by the Oregon state legislature as a state advisory for nursing workforce issues, OCN fulfills its mission through nurse workforce research, building partnerships, and promoting nursing and healthcare.  For more information about OCN, please visit www.oregoncenterfornursing.org.

Media Contact:
Jana R. Bitton, MPA
bitton@up.edu
503-342-4047