Nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare, and if you run a home health care or nurse staffing agency, you know they’re also the backbone of your business. From the number of miles they walk to the growing demand for their skills, these surprising nursing industry facts reveal just how essential they are — and why keeping your payroll steady is key to keeping great nurses on your team.
12 Surprising Facts About Nursing You Might Not Know
1. It’s old.
The earliest record of nursing dates back to 300 A.D. in the Roman Empire. Nurses worked in that era’s version of a hospital, which could be found in most cities. It wasn’t until the Middle Ages, though, that nursing became more advanced and widespread.
2. Florence Nightingale shaped nursing and healthcare.
You’ve probably heard of Florence Nightingale, one of the most famous nurses in history. During the Crimean War, she saved countless soldiers’ lives and transformed the nursing profession. She improved nurse education, raised the status of nursing in society, and introduced better hospital sanitation, safer food preparation and improved wound care to prevent infection. Many of her groundbreaking practices are still in use today.
3. Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing was the first nursing school.
Opened in 1873, New York City’s Bellevue Hospital School of Nursing offered a one-year program based on the teachings of Florence Nightingale. Shortly after Bellevue opened, the New England Hospital for Women and Massachusetts General Hospital established their own nursing schools.
4. Nurses walk more than a 5k every shift.
While the general population averages 2.5 miles of walking daily, nurses double that in one shift. On average, nurses walk four to five miles every 12-hour shift they work.
That’s a lot of dedication, and the kind of hard work you want to reward on time, every time. Make sure payroll delays don’t cost your staffing agency great nursing talent. Learn about our nurse staffing factoring services designed to help you meet payroll on time.
5. Nursing dominates healthcare education.
Half of all healthcare higher education students choose nursing majors. Because of these numbers, nursing students find a strong support system in their peers as they pursue their degree.
This percentage is a direct reflection of the industry as a whole. Healthcare systems require a great number of nurses to operate smoothly.
6. Nursing professions rank on top job lists.
In the 2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Jobs list, Nurse Practitioner claimed the #1 spot overall for the second year in a row. Other healthcare positions closely tied to nursing, such as Physician Assistant (#3) and Medical & Health Services Manager (#7), also secured top rankings. Several additional nursing roles, including Nurse Anesthetist and Registered Nurse, appear in the Top 100 Best Jobs list.
These rankings underscore the importance of attracting and retaining top talent in a highly competitive market.
For staffing agencies, that often means you have to fill positions before you receive payment on invoices. Our factoring services for nursing staffing agencies can help!
7. Mary Eliza Mahoney was the first African American RN.
Before becoming a nurse, Mary Eliza Mahoney spent 15 years working in a hospital in various roles, starting as a cook, then serving as a janitor, doing laundry and later assisting patients as an unofficial nurse’s aide.
Inspired by her experience, she enrolled in the New England Hospital for Women and Children’s nursing program. In 1878, she became one of only three students to complete the rigorous training, earning her place in history as the first African American registered nurse in the United States. Mahoney went on to co-found the National Association of Colored Graduate Nurses, advocating for diversity, equality and professionalism in the nursing field.
8. There are more than 5 million nurses in the U.S.
As of early 2024, the United States had approximately 5.64 million active nursing licenses, spanning registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical/vocational nurses (LPNs/LVNs), according to AHCA/NCAL. This is a significant increase from the 3 million reported just five years prior.
Globally, the nursing workforce has expanded from 27.9 million in 2018 to 29.8 million nurses by 2023. These nursing workforce statistics show the widespread importance of the profession.
9. The field of nursing will continue to grow.
Employment of Registered Nurses is projected to grow by 6% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This translates to approximately 197,200 new job openings each year over the decade, providing an opportunity-rich environment for nurse staffing agencies.
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10. Nurses aren’t just in hospitals.
While hospitals employ the majority of nurses, many work in a variety of other healthcare settings. Here’s a quick breakdown of where nurses work:
- 60% Hospitals
- 18% Ambulatory healthcare services
- 7% Nursing and residential care facilities
- 5% Government
- 3% Educational services
11. There is a Whole Week to Celebrate Nurses.
National Nurses Week is May 6 to May 12, observed annually for over 40 years to honor nurses. It ends on the day that Florence Nightingale was born!
National Nurses Week was established to acknowledge the challenging job of being a nurse and to show appreciation for all their hard work. Learn more here.
12. Many nurses are employed through a staffing agency.
Nurses work through a nurse staffing agency to help them find jobs and new opportunities. If you own a nurse staffing agency, you play an important role in the nursing profession!
Make sure you have the funding to keep up with the rising demand for nurses.
Want to learn more about how invoice factoring for nurse staffing agencies can help your staffing company grow? Fill out this form or give us a call and our experienced team will get you started today!
