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Registered nurses (RNs) provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients and their families.
As of May 2020, there were 2,986,500 people employed in this occupation. The average hourly wage was $38.47, and the average annual wage was $80,010.
In private industry for registered nurses, there were 78,740 nonfatal injury and illness cases involving days away from work in 2020. The incidence rate per 10,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers was 390.6.
Case characteristic[1] | Number of cases |
---|---|
Nature of injury or illness | |
All other natures | 57,860 |
Sprains, strains, tears | 11,530 |
Soreness, pain | 3,930 |
Bruises, contusions | 2,410 |
Fractures | 1,620 |
Part of body affected | |
Body systems | 55,130 |
Back | 5,850 |
Multiple body parts | 2,900 |
Shoulder | 2,550 |
Knee | 2,040 |
Source of injury or illness | |
All other sources | 57,380 |
Patient | 10,850 |
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces | 4,480 |
Worker motion or position | 2,370 |
Furniture, fixtures | 1,020 |
Event or exposure leading to injury or illness | |
Exposure to harmful substances or environments | 55,750 |
Fall on same level | 4,500 |
Intentional injury by other person | 2,870 |
Overexertion in lifting or lowering | 2,290 |
Struck by object or equipment | 1,590 |
[1] Data shown correspond to Nature, Part, Source, and Event codes based on the Occupational Injury and Illness Classification System 2.01 developed by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses |
Fatal work injuries totaled 11 for registered nurses during 2020, compared to 18 during 2019.
Wage and employment estimates come from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program. Injury and illness information come from the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) and Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). For more information on SOII program concepts, see the definitions page and the SOII Handbook of Methods. For more information on CFOI program concepts, see the definitions page and the CFOI Handbook of Methods.
Last Modified Date: February 11, 2022