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Nursing Education Statistics: USA

As a Benedictine institution rooted in the hallmarks of stability, hospitality, community, and love, Belmont Abbey College has brought to the field of nursing education an unwavering emphasis on exceptional, compassionate, and ethical care. It has been our joy to form nurses who enter the healthcare system well prepared to meet the growing needs of our Gaston County home and beyond.

As part of our dedication to advancing the field and providing the highest quality education to future nurses, Belmont Abbey recently commissioned a study to explore the experience of college-educated nurses within the healthcare industry after graduation. It is our hope that these findings will contribute to an essential and ongoing conversation that bears with such urgency on the health of our communities.

Nursing Education Statistics: US 2026

In the US, there are various educational pathways you can follow if you want to take the standardized National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX)-RN and become a nurse. These include a diploma, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree, a PhD program, and doctoral programs. With so many options, it’s natural for those considering a nursing career to wonder which path they should follow and whether their potential career choice is worth it.

To gain a better understanding of nursing education, we sourced data from an independent poll of 500 college-educated nurses in the US. The responses to various questions ranged from the expected to the surprising and beyond. Here’s what we found.

Index

  • A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the highest level of education completed by 44% of college-educated nurses in the US
  • 18% of college-educated nurses in the US say pediatric nursing best describes their primary career path since completing their nursing degree
  • 34% of college-educated nurses in the US have worked in three different nursing roles or specialties since graduating
  • 41% of college-educated nurses in the US say “excellent job security with multiple opportunities” best describes job availability in their nursing career
  • 22% of college-educated nurses in the US say career advancement into leadership is the primary opportunity their nursing degree has opened for them
  • 31% of college-educated nurses in the US find making a difference in people’s lives the most rewarding
  • For 32% of college-educated nurses in the US, maintaining work-life balance is the primary challenge
  • 25% of college-educated nurses in the US secured their desired nursing role within six months of graduating
  • 55% of college-educated nurses in the US say they would still choose nursing as a career if they could start over
  • 39% of college-educated nurses in the US say they are extremely likely to recommend nursing as a career to prospective students
  • 19% of college-educated nurses in the US say the most important advice they would give to those considering a nursing career is to find strong mentors early
  • The Bottom Line
  • Methodology

What Is Your Highest Level Of Education Completed?

A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is the highest level of education completed by 44% of college-educated nurses in the US

The nurses in our poll have different levels of education:

Q1 What is your highest level of education completed

The highest level of education completed by almost half (44%) of our audience is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). The popularity of this qualification may be due to it offering higher earning potential and more career opportunities than an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN). For 26%, their highest education level is a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), which is an entry-level degree for advanced roles such as nurse educator and clinical nurse leader.

12% have completed nurse manager, director, or administrator courses, and 11% have a PhD in nursing. Only 7% have completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) qualification. This suggests slightly more than half of our audience is focused on building their careers to advance beyond basic nursing roles.

Our findings are somewhat different from those published by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), indicating nurses’ education levels in 2022. That year, 72% of the registered nurse workforce had a baccalaureate or higher degree as their highest level of nursing education, as this would give them better career prospects. 72% of employers strongly prefer baccalaureate-prepared nurses, while 28% require new hires to have a bachelor’s degree. 17% had a master’s degree and 3% had doctoral degrees.

 

How Many Different Nursing Roles Or Specialties Have You Worked In Since Graduating?

34% of college-educated nurses in the US have worked in three different nursing roles or specialties since graduating

Role-changing in nursing is certainly not unusual:

How many different nursing roles or specialties have you worked in since graduating?

 

Of our audience, 34% say they have worked in three different nursing roles or specialties since graduating from college. A slightly lower percentage (30%) say they have worked in two roles. 16% have only worked in their initial role or specialty, while 14% have experience in four to five different roles. Only a small percentage (7%) have worked in more than five roles or specialties since graduating.

There are various reasons why some nurses remain in their initial role while others diversify their careers to work in different roles. Some may choose not to specialize because they derive enough satisfaction from their initial role. Others might not be able to afford the additional studies required for specialization.

Among those who have worked in several different roles, some may be motivated by the challenge of learning new things or want to advance their career for the sake of accomplishment, prestige, and better earnings.

According to Nurse Journal, the top five specialty career choices for nurses include certified registered nurse anesthetist, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, family nurse practitioner, and women’s health nurse practitioner.

84% of respondents noted one or more changes in their roles or specialties since graduation, and while the full weight of this statistic depends on the number of years since graduation, the fact that comparatively few nurses remain in the same position still highlights one of the many benefits of a nursing degree: it helps to prepare nurses for a variety of possible roles. 

Completing such a degree could also assist prospective nurses in better discerning the type (or types) of work they wish to pursue within their chosen field, potentially increasing the likelihood of their remaining in that speciality or role. Greater stability would benefit the field, as nurses would bring years of experience to their roles, benefiting not only their own patients but also younger, mentee nurses. 

It is also worth noting that, according to a recent AMN Healthcare survey of 12,171 nurses, 61% of respondents planned to change their current position or employment status within 12 months, which seems to confirm a high level of turnover and role-shifting within the nursing field. 

Which Statement Best Describes Job Availability In Your Nursing Career?

41% of college-educated nurses in the US say “excellent job security with multiple opportunities” best describes job availability in their nursing career

There are different experiences when it comes to job availability:

Of our audience, 34% say they have worked in three different nursing roles or specialties since graduating from college. A slightly lower percentage (30%) say they have worked in two roles. 16% have only worked in their initial role or specialty, while 14% have experience in four to five different roles. Only a small percentage (7%) have worked in more than five roles or specialties since graduating. There are various reasons why some nurses remain in their initial role while others diversify their careers to work in different roles. Some may choose not to specialize because they derive enough satisfaction from their initial role. Others might not be able to afford the additional studies required for specialization. Among those who have worked in several different roles, some may be motivated by the challenge of learning new things or want to advance their career for the sake of accomplishment, prestige, and better earnings. According to Nurse Journal, the top five specialty career choices for nurses include certified registered nurse anesthetist, adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, family nurse practitioner, and women’s health nurse practitioner. 84% of respondents noted one or more changes in their roles or specialties since graduation, and while the full weight of this statistic depends on the number of years since graduation, the fact that comparatively few nurses remain in the same position still highlights one of the many benefits of a nursing degree: it helps to prepare nurses for a variety of possible roles. Completing such a degree could also assist prospective nurses in better discerning the type (or types) of work they wish to pursue within their chosen field, potentially increasing the likelihood of their remaining in that speciality or role. Greater stability would benefit the field, as nurses would bring years of experience to their roles, benefiting not only their own patients but also younger, mentee nurses. It is also worth noting that, according to a recent AMN Healthcare survey of 12,171 nurses, 61% of respondents planned to change their current position or employment status within 12 months, which seems to confirm a high level of turnover and role-shifting within the nursing field. Which Statement Best Describes Job Availability In Your Nursing Career? 41% of college-educated nurses in the US say “excellent job security with multiple opportunities” best describes job availability in their nursing career Which statement best describes job availability in your nursing career?

Job availability hasn’t been an issue for almost half of our audience (40%), who say they have excellent job security with multiple opportunities. Considering the shortage of nurses in the US mentioned above, it’s not surprising that this percentage has had a positive experience so far. 35% have had a somewhat similar experience, saying they have good job security with some opportunities.

Another 20% say they have stable employment, while just 3% say they have somewhat unstable employment, and 1% say it’s too early in their careers for them to assess job availability.

Surprisingly, a fifth of our audience didn’t mention having job opportunities, and a small percentage said their employment isn’t stable. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, there was a 1% increase in the number of registered nurses but a 3% increase in demand between 2022 and 2025. With a deficit of around 295,800 nurses around the country, nurses should have no trouble finding stable employment and exciting career opportunities.

It is well worth noting that over 95% of respondents identified their employment security as stable or better, with over 75% claiming good or excellent security. A dramatic majority of college educated nurses, then, indicate strong job security.

The Benedictine hallmark of stability means that our monks and, by extension, our college community, remain dedicated to living out the Abbey’s mission, rooted in this particular place. The needs of our county, our state, and our country inform the prayers and work of Belmont Abbey and its apostolate, Belmont Abbey College, as we seek to serve our home. Responding to the healthcare crisis and the growing shortage of nurses in our communities, Belmont Abbey both welcomed the construction of a new hospital on Abbey land and established a Nursing program steeped in Benedictine values. It is our hope that this will contribute materially to the health and wellbeing of the place we have called home for 150 years.

 

What Is The Primary Opportunity Your Nursing Degree Has Opened For You?

22% of college-educated nurses in the US say career advancement into leadership is the primary opportunity their nursing degree has opened for them

A nursing degree can open doors to an impressive range of career opportunities:

What is the primary opportunity your nursing degree has opened for you?

 

For 22% of our audience, the primary opportunity their nursing degree opened was career advancement into leadership. According to CareRev, these positions may include nurse manager, charge nurse, director of nursing, chief nursing officer, clinical nurse leader, or nurse educator, among others. 16% of our audience say their degree has provided them with career mobility across specialties, suggesting they benefit from diversity while potentially working their way into leadership positions.

For 14%, the primary opportunity has been financial stability, while another 14% mention leadership roles. 13% say geographic flexibility is their main opportunity, suggesting they have been able to work in different locations around the US.

The pursuit of advanced education is what 9% of our audience name, and 6% say their main opportunity is entrepreneurship or an independent practice. Among the entrepreneurial roles nurses can fulfill are medical spa nurse, career coach, script consultant, home health nurse, specialist care provider, and wellness coach.

As for the rest of our audience, 3% say their degrees opened international opportunities, implying they’ve been able to work in countries such as Australia, Canada, or the UAE, and 2% say they’ve had the chance to work in non-traditional nursing roles.

Belmont Abbey College is committed to forming young men and women for leadership across a variety of fields, among which healthcare occupies an essential place. The healthcare industry needs nurses who are prepared to face the profound challenges and pressures of their vital work, equipped not only with the necessary skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience to treat their patients, but also the ethical grounding to evaluate complex circumstances and respond to these with clarity and compassion. 

While a nursing degree, in itself, opens up leadership opportunities, the Abbey’s B.S. in Nursing seeks to provide the best possible foundation for assuming these leadership roles. State of the art labs, expert instructors, and rigorous coursework are all critical, but so is a foundation in the Benedictine hallmarks that have inspired men and women in a centuries-long tradition of service to the Good. Great leaders combine expertise with integrity and wisdom, and Belmont Abbey College designed our Nursing program to help our students develop as exceptional professionals and virtuous servant leaders.

 

If You Could Start Over, Would You Still Choose Nursing As A Career?

55% of college-educated nurses in the US say they would definitely still choose nursing as a career if they could start over

Even an opportunity to start over doesn’t change everyone’s career path:

If you could start over would you still choose nursing as a career?

Things don’t always work out as planned, and that’s as true for career choices as it is for anything else in life. On the topic of whether they would still choose nursing as a career if they could start over, 55% of our audience say they definitely would, although 29% are less confident, saying they probably would. This implies these segments of our audience enjoy a great degree of job satisfaction, even if the work they do presents challenges from time to time.

While 10% say they’re unsure they would choose the same career, 5% say they probably wouldn’t. Only 2% say they definitely would not choose nursing again. The attitudes of these audience segments may be due to their experiencing job dissatisfaction.

Research published by the HRSA in 2024 revealed that the percentage of nurses who expressed some dissatisfaction with their job increased from 11% in 2017 to 20% in 2022, with nurses with patient care responsibilities experiencing a greater decline in satisfaction than those without these responsibilities.

Additionally, job satisfaction declined in 20 of the 21 clinical specialties in the same period. The most common reasons nurses gave for switching nursing jobs after December 31, 2021, included burnout, staff shortages, and a stressful work environment.

Comparing participants’ dissatisfaction rate (16.5% answering unsure or in the negative) with the 20% identified by HRSA’s research, it is worth noting that nurses with a college degree seem to express somewhat lower rates of dissatisfaction with their career choice. Whether attributable to more comprehensive preparation or better opportunities, a degree seems to increase the likelihood of satisfaction in Nursing.

 

How Likely Are You To Recommend Nursing As A Career To Prospective Students?

39% of college-educated nurses in the US say they are extremely likely to recommend nursing as a career to prospective students

Nursing as a recommended career comes highly rated:

How likely are you to recommend nursing as a career to prospective students?

Above, we saw how well over half of our audience would still choose nursing if they could start over. Unsurprisingly, our audience also has largely positive feelings about recommending nursing as a career to prospective students.

39% say it’s extremely likely, and 34% say it’s very likely they would recommend it. 17% weren’t as certain, saying they’re somewhat likely to recommend it. The enthusiasm of these audience members may be due to job satisfaction and their own appreciation of the role nurses play in society. It may also be due to the potential for career diversity and growth, as evident in some of the statistics above.

In comparison, only 5% are uncertain, saying they’re neither likely nor unlikely to recommend a nursing career, while 4% say they’re somewhat unlikely to recommend it. Just 1% say they’re extremely unlikely to recommend nursing, and less than 1% say they are very unlikely to do so. This highlights how many enjoy their careers compared to those who do not.

The fact that 73% of respondents consider themselves extremely or very likely to recommend nursing to prospective students is a strong indicator of career satisfaction. This statistic suggests that college educated nurses enter the field well prepared for its challenges. 

Interestingly, only 10.5% of respondents are unsure or unlikely to recommend nursing to prospective students, which is a markedly smaller percentage than the 16.5% who registered ambivalent or negative feelings about their own choice. This discrepancy may suggest that individual regret has more to do with personal circumstances than with disillusionment about the field of nursing itself.

The Bottom Line

These statistics provide thought-provoking insights into the experiences and perceptions of college-educated nurses in the US. For most of our audience, nursing is a rewarding career that offers plenty of scope for growth, development, and specialization, even if it presents a range of challenges.

Encouragingly, most graduates find work relatively soon, if not immediately, after graduating, with many of these nurses being employed in their desired roles. Still, those considering a nursing career need to be fully aware of the advantages and disadvantages involved so they can make an informed decision, bearing in mind the profession’s vocational nature.

Prospective students should also be aware that, given the projected shortage of nurses in the US, they may encounter challenging working conditions. Even so, as many nurses would agree, the rewards of the profession far outrank the downsides.

Methodology

Sourced from an independent Artios poll of 500 college-educated nurses in the United States. Responses are collected within a 95% confidence interval and 5% margin of error.

About the data:

  • 72% of college-educated nurses in the United States are between the ages of 22 and 44.
  • 55% identify as male and 45% as female.
  • 72% are employed full-time.
  • 81% speak no second language, while 13% speak Spanish.
  • 40% earn between $75,000 and $149,999 annually.
  • 55% are classified as white and 27% African American.
  • The highest number (10%) is based in New York.

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Signs in the dark

Every Catholic Church has an altar lamp. Mounted or suspended near the tabernacle, it remains lit at all times of the day or night, signaling Christ’s eucharistic presence within.

Given its ubiquity, of course, the lamp isn’t something we usually focus on, especially when the sanctuary is well lit for Mass. We might glance toward it in an unfamiliar church, especially if the tabernacle isn’t immediately visible, but then we tend to forget about it. After all, it’s meant to direct our attention to God, to His presence in a holy place, not to hold our eye in itself.

But last week, when I stepped inside Mary Help of Christians Basilica outside of the scheduled liturgical times, most of the lights were out and the church was dim and quiet. And in the low light of that space, the small red flame was impossible to miss, marking the alcove where the tabernacle waited. And even though it told me what I knew, the lamp, its vividness in the dusk interior, was somehow still a pronounced comfort, straight through the dark.

The fact is that sometimes, even though we believe, we can’t see clearly. Sometimes we can’t make out the tabernacle we know is there. When the dark obscures God’s presence in our lives, we may not feel consolation or hear answers, but God never leaves us alone. The altar lamp is there to make explicit what we know by faith — and to remind us, in the very act of this reminding, not only that God, Emmanuel, is here with us but also that He speaks signs of His presence in humble, common, and continual ways we often take for granted.

The altar lamp in Mary Help of Christians Basilica, like the altar lamp in every Catholic Church around the world, burns faithfully. Our monastic sacristan, Br. Gabriel, replaces the candle each time it burns low, and in doing so, he not only maintains this gentle sign of signs but also embodies it by his watchful care. His patient service, too, becomes a reminder.

In the same way, your Christian witness – even in the smallest, most ordinary things you do to remain faithful to your families, your friends, and those God has placed in your life – are signs of His presence. You won’t often know when these lamps cut through the dark of someone else’s struggles. But they do.

May God give each of us the grace to recognize the many signs of His love, His presence, and His faithfulness in our lives. May He give us the grace to be these signs for others. And may we always rejoice in things visible and invisible.

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Belmont Abbey College Appoints Heather A. Lachenauer as Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Belmont Abbey College Appoints Heather A. Lachenauer as Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Belmont, N.C. (August 19th, 2026) – Belmont Abbey College is thrilled to welcome Heather A. Lachenauer as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. In this role, Lachenauer will provide strategic legal counsel to the college’s leadership while helping advance the college’s mission and long-term priorities. 

Lachenauer brings nearly two decades of experience advising nonprofit organizations, religious and educational institutions, corporations, and individuals on complex legal, regulatory, governance, and risk management matters. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with organizational leaders and boards to navigate challenges, strengthen internal policies and practices, and make sound decisions in support of their vision and mission. Heather has helped numerous organizations identify and mitigate potential liabilities and risks to prevent adverse consequences.

“Heather Lachenauer is an exceptional leader and attorney, and I am thrilled to have her join us as a senior member of Belmont Abbey College’s Cabinet,” said Dr. Jeffrey W. Talley, President of Belmont Abbey College. “Heather has dedicated her life to serving God, His Church, and others as a legal scholar and practitioner. We are very blessed indeed to have her as a critical part of our team. I know she will do great things here.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Belmont Abbey College and to join a community so deeply committed to the formation of its students and the advancement of Catholic higher education,” said Lachenauer. “Belmont Abbey’s strong Catholic and Benedictine identity is central to its mission, and I look forward to drawing on my experience to support the college’s leadership and help protect and strengthen the mission that makes Belmont Abbey so distinctive.”

Prior to joining the leadership team at Belmont Abbey College, Lachenaur was a partner at Brown & Streza, LLP in Irvine, California, where she provided strategic counsel to a variety of non-profit corporations. Her work focused on governance, risk management, compliance and regulation, religious liberty, employment, and intellectual property. She advised organizational leaders and boards on complex decision-making and helped clients identify and mitigate potential liabilities and risks. 

Before her time at Brown & Streza, Lachenauer served as Vice President for Board and Legal Affairs at the University of Dallas, where she was responsible for matters related to the Board of Trustees, legal affairs, compliance, and risk management. Her experience in Catholic higher education and nonprofit leadership has given her a broad understanding of the legal and organizational considerations facing mission-driven institutions. 

An active member of the legal community, Heather has advocated on behalf of clients in a variety of pro bono matters involving asylum, the death penalty, and religious liberty. She regularly speaks at national conferences on the topics of non-profit leadership, employment, and religious liberty. She has also taught political science, rhetoric, and poetics and aesthetics as an adjunct professor. Lachenauer is a former member of both the Board of Regents of St. John Paul the Great Catholic University and the National Board of Directors of Young Catholic Professionals. She currently serves on the board of Duc In Altum Schools Collaborative. 

Lachenauer completed her undergraduate studies at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. She studied philosophy and theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology and earned a master’s degree in education and human development from The George Washington University. She received her law degree from the University of Notre Dame School of Law. A native of Virginia, Lachenauer is a member of the State Bar of California and the State Bar of Texas, and is admitted to practice before multiple federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. She anticipates obtaining her bar membership in the State of North Carolina in the near future.

For more information about Belmont Abbey College, please visit www.belmontabbeycollege.edu.

About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit belmontabbeycollege.edu.

For Immediate Release

Contact: Sarah Bolton

P: 704-461-7016 E: sarahbolton@bac.edu

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Serving the Church at Home and Beyond: The Abbey’s Diaconal Formation Program

By: Laura Schaffer

Dr. Alessandro Rovati became a theologian to serve the Church. He lives out his vocation as Chair of Belmont Abbey’s Theology Department — and through active service to the Diocese of Charlotte.

As the director of the College’s unique Diaconal Formation Program, Rovati combines his vocation and joyfully notes that “there’s nothing more beautiful for a theology program than to put its expertise at the service of the life and needs of the local church.”

For the past 2,000 years, deacons have assisted priests in their pastoral ministry, serving the liturgy and performing acts of mercy. Deacons are called to “attend the table and the Word,” Rovati explains.

Deacons baptize, catechize, and preach. They minister to their parishes in a way that models and embraces community stewardship and self-giving. For a time, the diaconal vocation, originally distinct from that of the priest, was subsumed into the stages of priestly discernment. The Second Vatican Council, however, reinstated the practice of ordaining permanent deacons while preserving the diaconal stage on the path to priesthood. 

Heralds of the Gospel

Since then, the Charlotte diocese has embraced the formation of permanent deacons differently. In recent years, diocesan leadership has determined to create a more rigorous and substantive program. To this end, they reached out to Rovati at Belmont Abbey College, having already established a relationship with the college through its education of seminarians. 

After years of careful collaboration, the Abbey officially began its new Diaconal Formation Program in 2023. The program offers a certificate after three-and-a-half years of study and 18 theology courses as part of the diocese’s five-year discernment and formation process.

The synchronous online program was designed to meet best the needs of men working full-time, supporting families, and living throughout the diocese. Seventeen men are enrolled, having completed their first year this past January and been formally accepted as candidates by Bishop Emeritus Jugis.

At the same time, diocesan deacons renewed their promises. The candidates will continue to deepen their familiarity with Scripture, tradition, and Church teaching throughout their formation, exploring how these rich and vital resources can nourish their future ministry. Course assignments often ask students to explain their study topics as if to a parish, preparing them to become “heralds of the gospels.” 

New fervor

Many have told Rovati that the program has enriched their lives of faith and transformed how they participate in the Liturgy. It has opened their hearts and minds to the inexhaustible wealth of biblical and Church tradition, sparking a new fervor in their spiritual journey. This transformation is evident in the “depth and urgency” of the student discussions, all of which powerfully demonstrate their eagerness to make an “impact on the life of their local communities.”

One of Belmont Abbey’s Strategic Plan’s pillars is to “build and serve the Church, locally and beyond,” a goal that the Diaconal Formation Program aligns with and significantly contributes to. Inspired by the Benedictine hallmarks of stability, community, stewardship, and love, the Abbey is particularly grateful to play a key role in the education of deacons and seminarians for the Charlotte diocese. The program serves the local church and hundreds of students each year, helping them realize their God-given potential in service to their families and communities. 

We ask your prayer for the 17 diaconal candidates who seek to offer their gifts and energies with such generosity to our diocese. We are deeply grateful for your support and prayers as they continue their discernment and formation. Your involvement is a testament to the strength and unity of our community.

To read more Abbey stories and stay up to date on college news, request your copy of the next Belmont Abbey Magazine here.

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