Job ads for the region’s growing healthcare industry reveal a significant demand for registered nurses. Nearly one-in-six job ads posted by healthcare employers over the last 12 months sought registered nurses. Across all industries, employers posted 12,529 job ads for registered nurses in 2024.

Approximately 15% of job ads posted by employers in the government and healthcare industry sectors sought registered nurses, demonstrating a strong demand for this occupation in the region. The volume of job ads for registered nurses is likely a product of the registered nursing shortage detailed in a report from the California Board of Registered Nursing. With the shortage projected to continue through 2028, regional demand for registered nurses will persist. The most sought-after positions posted by health and government employers in 2024 following registered nurses were home health and personal care aides (5% of all job ads), medical and health services managers (4%), dental assistants (3%), and licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses (2%).

The top 10 employers posting job ads for registered nurses accounted for nearly 25% of all registered nurse job ads posted in 2024. The top 10 employers seeking registered nurses remained mostly the same from 2023 to 2024.

While regional employers have consistently sought candidates to fill registered nurse positions, demand for certain skills appears to be growing. The following skills have greater representation in 2024 job ads for registered nurses than in 2023 job ads.

Growing specialized skills: medical records, medication administration, patient education and counseling, vital signs, and case management.

Growing common skills: interpersonal communications, detail-oriented, assertiveness, self-motivation, troubleshooting.

Growing software skills: Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Epic EMR.

Read the latest from COE on registered nursing jobs in the region here.