|
[1] National estimate of the total number of RNs (RN population) is between 2,897,467 and 2,921,467 RNs at the 95 percent confidence level, a margin of error of +/- 0.7 percent. For the purposes of this document, the weighted estimates are stated without reporting the sampling errors associated with each characteristic.
[2] For specific information regarding the sampling estimation and weighting methodologies, see 2004 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses: Technical Report.
[3] The term “nurse” encompasses professionals concerned with health care at a number of skill levels, such as registered nurse, advanced practice nurse, and licensed practical nurse/vocational nurse. The NSSRN population, however, consists of all registered nurses who are currently eligible to practice as an RN in the United States. This includes RNs who have received a specialty license or have been certified by a State agency as an advanced practice nurse (APN) such as nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife, certified registered nurse anesthetist, or clinical nursing specialist, but excludes licensed practical nurses (LPNs)/licensed vocational nurses (LVNs).
[4] National estimate of the total number of RNs (RN population) is between 2,897,467 and 2,921,467 RNs at the 95 percent confidence level, a margin of error of +/- 0.7 percent. For the purposes of this document, the weighted estimates are stated without reporting the sampling errors associated with each characteristic. Refer to Appendix B for the standard errors for other variables as well as a general methodology for estimating standard errors overall.
[5] In the terminology used here to identify highest educational preparation, the following convention has been used in current and past NSSRN survey analyses. In addition to degrees strictly in nursing, additional formal academic education reported by the nurse that would enhance the nursing career is considered to be ‘nursing-related' education. The term ‘highest nursing or nursing-related' education is used here to denote the highest degree level, overall, among these academic degrees that are in nursing or which enhance a nursing career. For example, a nurse reporting a baccalaureate degree in nursing and a nursing-related master's degree in social work would be considered to have the highest nursing or nursing-related education at the master's level.
[6] Of the 217,651 RNs with missing values for race or ethnicity, 27.0 percent (58,859 RNs) did not specify either race or ethnicity, 13.9 percent (30,147) specified ethnicity but not race, and 52.1 percent (128,645) specified race but not ethnicity. Fifty-one percent of those who specified ethnicity but not race (15,231) indicated they are Hispanic or Latino. Of the estimated 128,645 who specified race but not ethnicity, 78.2 percent are White and 21.8 percent (28,067) are racial minorities. Of these registered nurses who specified race but not ethnicity, 56.3 percent are Black or African-American, 4.6 percent are American Indian or Alaska Native, 29.3 percent are Asian or Other Pacific Islander, and the remaining registered nurses checked two or more races. Therefore, a total of 354,475 (12.2 percent of the RN population) can be considered minority by race and/or ethnicity. However, for the purposes of clarity and consistency in this narrative report on minority comparison with White non-Hispanic RNs, only RNs with both race and ethnicity provided are generally being compared in the text, charts, and tables.
[7] This change reflects, in part, a change in the data retrieval practices for missing variables. In previous NSSRN administrations, missing data were retrieved via a process of re-contacting the respondent by telephone. The 2004 survey limited this practice to certain critical missing variables, not including race.
[8] See U.S. Census Bureau Statistical Abstract of the United States, 2006, Resident Population by Sex, Race, and Hispanic Origin Status: 2000 to 2004, Table 13, January 4, 2006, at
http://www.census.gov/prod/2005pubs/06statab/pop.pdf. Census reports that, of the 293,655,000 in the U.S. population for 2004, 197,841,000 are of White race, only, and non-Hispanic. Thus, while 67.4 percent of the U.S. population are white, non-Hispanic, 32.6 percent are non-White or Hispanic.
[9] For the purposes of this discussion, the term “earnings” is used to collectively represent salaries and/or earnings self-reported by survey respondents.
[10] Adjustments based on the CPI were made using the geometric-average quartic root. Average yearly increase over 4 years was calculated as (1 + (percent change in earnings during time period)0.25 - 1. The geometric median-based annual average CPI increase can be found as: (1 + (percent of CPI increase over time period))0.25 - 1. The net geometric median-based real percent increase each year can be found as: (1+ (percent of salary increase))0.25 - (1 + (percent of CPI increase over time period)).0.25.
[11] In previous survey years, missing data was retrieved via an additional process of re-contacting the respondent for critical information. The 2004 survey limited the practice of follow-up contact to certain critical variables, not including race. Thus, the results should be interpreted with caution.
[12] This information was reported in Table 3: Annual Estimates of the Populations by Sex, Race and Hispanic or Latino Origin for the United States: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2004 (NC-EST2004-03). Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau. Release Date: June 9, 2005.
[13] The numbers in this calculation overlap because respondents were able to name more than one degree.
[14] The percentage of nurses using each source of funding adds to more than 100 percent because more than one source could be named.
[15] The NSSRN does not sample APNs, per se. Rather, the NSSRN samples RNs who may also claim APN preparation. Constraints to this sampling design limited the pool and representativeness of APNs who were sampled. The resulting sampling weights for APNs from the NSSRN do not scientifically represent the numbers of APNs actually prepared in these four specialties. Furthermore, the numbers of prepared APNs include many who are not currently practicing in their specialty but who were once prepared as and completed an APN program earlier in their careers.
[16] Percents do not add up to 100 because respondents could be certified in multiple specialties by multiple organizations.
[17] In the July 1999 publication from the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) to the Secretary of HHS, “Federal Support For The Preparation Of The Clinical Nurse Specialist Workforce Through Title VIII”, NACNEP noted the passing of Federal legislation in 1997 which required that practicing CNSs hold a master's degree in a clinical area of nursing. NACNEP notes, however, that “a substantial proportion of those who have position title as a “clinical nurse specialist” do not have graduate degrees.”
[18] In the survey, only 98 RNs responded that they were currently employed with an NM position title.
[19] In 2000, the questionnaire asked two questions, “16a. Approximately how many hours are you usually scheduled to work during a normal workweek (as defined by the organization) at your principal nursing position? 16b. How many hours did you actually work during the week beginning on March 20, 2000? (Include overtime but exclude holidays, sick leave, vacation, and time not worked.)” Overtime hours were derived by subtracting hours scheduled from hours worked. In 2004, the questionnaire asked to specify in this question “Please provide information on the number of hours you worked in your last full workweek at your principal nursing position in nursing a) Number of hours worked in your last full workweek (including paid hours of on call duty and overtime); b) Number of hours reported in Item33a that were paid on-call; c) Number of hours reported that were paid as overtime; and d) Number of overtime hours reported that were mandatory/unscheduled.
[20] The 2004 questionnaire text was “Please estimate your current gross annual earnings (pre-tax) from your principal nursing position, include overtime and bonuses, but exclude sign on bonuses.” In 2000 the questionnaire text was “Please specify the annual salary/earnings for your principal nursing position only. What is your gross annual salary before deductions for taxes, social security, etc.? If you do not have a set annual salary (for example, you are part-time, private duty, or self-employed), estimate your annual earnings for 2000.”
[21] Adjustments for changes in the CPI were made based on average annual rates of increase (2.3 percent) and an overall real percent increase between 2000 and 2004 of about 14 percent. When an average annual increase is adjusted for CPI, the average increase is calculated and the average annual increase in the CPI is subtracted from this number. When an overall percent increase is adjusted for CPI, the percent increase is calculated, and then the percent increase in CPI is subtracted from it.
[22] Due to the mandated educational requirements for CNSs (see footnote 17) this analysis was run on the average earnings of CNSs with master's degrees only.
[23] Comparisons with the 2000 questionnaire should be made with caution, as the wording of the question was changed between 2000 and 2004 such that the 2000 questionnaire measured change in job satisfaction, while the 2004 questionnaire measured satisfaction at that point in time. In 2000 the question asked: “Compared to a year ago, how would you best describe your feeling about your nursing job”; in 2004 the question asked “How would you best describe your feelings about your principal nursing position”.
[24] Davis, James A., Tom W. Smith, and Peter V. Marsden. General Social Surveys, 1972-2004: [Cumulative File] [Electronic file]. 2nd ICPSR version. Chicago, IL: National Opinion Research Center [producer], 2005. Storrs, CT: Roper Center for Public Opinion Research, University of Connecticut /Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research / Berkeley, CA: Computer-assisted Survey Methods Program (http://sda.berkeley.edu), University of California [distributors], 2005.
[25] This excludes 3,083 RNs educated in U.S. territories such as Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. |
