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Bureau of Labor Statistics > Injuries, Illnesses, and Fatalities > Publications > Snapshots

Registered nurses, 2015‐2019

Background

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 2019, there were 2,982,280 people employed in this occupation. The average hourly wage was $37.24 and the average annual wage was $77,460.

Nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses

In private industry for this occupation, there were 20,150 nonfatal injury and illness cases requiring days away from work during 2019. The incidence rate per 10,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers was 102.1.

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Table 1. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work by selected case characteristics, registered nurses, private industry, 2019
Case characteristic^[1]	Number of cases
Nature of injury or illness
Sprains, strains, tears	9,530
Soreness, pain	3,470
Bruises, contusions	2,270
All other natures	2,270
Fractures	1,430
Part of body affected
Back	4,880
Multiple body parts	3,110
Shoulder	1,720
Knee	1,420
Hand	1,410
Source of injury or illness
Patient	8,130
Floors, walkways, ground surfaces	4,130
Worker motion or position	2,220
All other sources	2,150
Furniture, fixtures	1,170
Event or exposure leading to injury or illness
Fall on same level	4,330
Intentional injury by other person	1,840
Overexertion in lifting or lowering	1,720
Struck by object or equipment	990
Injury by person-unintentional or intent unknown	750
^[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 occupational injuries

Fatal work injuries totaled 18 for registered nurses during 2019, compared to 13 during 2018.

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Sources

Wage and employment estimates come from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) 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 and CFOI program concepts and definitions see the SOII Handbook of Methods and the CFOI Handbook of Methods.

Last Modified Date: February 4, 2021