The Maryland Nursing Workforce Center (MNWC) collects, analyzes, and reports on the state's nursing workforce.
Watch the video to learn more about our mission and vision.
We aim to:
- provide access to data and assist with the analysis of nursing workforce data;
- understand the areas of demand and the resources needed to meet those demands;
- and ensure the State of Maryland is meeting the recommendation set forth in the Institute of Medicine’s 2010 Future of Nursing report that calls for improving collection methods of workforce data.
Maryland Nursing Demographics Snapshot
Gender Distribution
The nursing profession in Maryland is predominantly female, with 89% women and 11% men. This significant gender disparity highlights the need for targeted recruitment strategies to encourage more men to join the nursing field.
Age Distribution
A considerable portion of Maryland’s nurses are over the age of 50, indicating an aging workforce. This trend underscores the importance of succession planning and the recruitment of younger nurses to ensure a sustainable health care system.
Race and Ethnicity
Maryland’s nursing workforce is diverse, with a majority identifying as white. However, there is a notable representation of other racial and ethnic groups, reflecting the state’s multicultural population.
Foreign Languages Spoken
Many nurses in Maryland speak foreign languages, with Spanish being one of the more common, though not predominant, languages. This linguistic diversity enhances the ability to provide culturally competent care to a diverse patient population.
Educational Levels
Most nurses in Maryland hold either an associate or bachelor’s degree, demonstrating a well-educated workforce prepared to meet the complex demands of modern health care.
Overall Summary
This data shows a predominantly female workforce with the average and median ages of nurses increasing. There is notable racial and ethnic diversity among nurses, with many nurses speaking foreign languages, thereby increasing culturally competent care.
Explore our dashboards to learn more about the composition of Maryland’s nursing workforce and how it impacts health care delivery in the state.