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Registered Nurse

Job Satisfaction

A resounding 88% of Registered Nurses surveyed describe their current employment status as 'Satisfied'.

Health Resources & Services Administration, HRSA

Be a
Maryland Nurse

Innovative solutions for nursing education and retention

Nursing in Maryland

Nurses in Maryland are the heart of healthcare, providing compassionate and expert care to individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Their dedication to promoting health and preventing illness contributes significantly to the overall well-being of Maryland residents. Whether in hospitals, clinics, schools, or community settings, nurses play a crucial role in shaping and enhancing the healthcare landscape.

Employment

The demand for registered nurses in Maryland continues to grow, reflecting the essential role they play in the healthcare system. With an aging population and evolving healthcare needs, registered nurses are crucial to ensuring the delivery of high-quality and patient-centered care. Job opportunities span various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and community health organizations.

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Employment in Nursing Professions, 2022
In 2022, there were 49,790 registered nurses employed in Maryland which represents approximately 18 of every 1,000 jobs.
Compensation

Registered nurses in Maryland enjoy competitive salaries that reflect their expertise, education, and experience. Salaries may vary based on factors such as location, specialization, and the level of education attained. The state is committed to recognizing the value of nursing professionals, ensuring that compensation remains competitive in the evolving healthcare landscape.

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Annual Mean Wage by State, 2022
In 2022, RNs in Maryland earned a higher mean wage ($87,990) as compared to other surrounding Mid-Atlantic States.
Demographics

The nursing community in Maryland is a tapestry of diversity, with individuals from various ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. This diversity not only enriches the workplace but also ensures that healthcare services are accessible and culturally sensitive to the diverse population they serve.

Improving Organizational Culture

Maryland hospitals and healthcare organizations are leading the way with creative solutions to grow, retain, and promote RNs.

What strategies do nurse leaders believe are effective for retention?  Scroll through our interactive gallery to learn what our comprehensive survey of Maryland hospital nurse executives revealed.

Positive Work Culture
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Shared Governance

Meaningful Recognition

Healthy Work Environment
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Safety

Security

Organizational Inclusive Excellence
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Deliberate integration of DEI ideals

Development, implementation and evaluation of DEI initiatives

Building a Diverse Workforce
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Intentional leadership development and advancement

Strategies to attract and support staff diversity

Flexible Working Conditions
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Paid Time Off

Creative Scheduling Models

Innovative Care Delivery Models
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Inventive Support Services

Human Engineering to Streamline Work

Employee Wellness
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Access to Mental Health Services

Addressing burnout, moral distress, and compassion fatigue

Total Compensation and Benefits
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Financial reward

Employee Benefits

Testimonials

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Supporting Career Advancement: Hospitals that support growing the careers of their nurses are more likely to retain them. Featuring the nursing voices of Samantha (Mercy Medical) and Bernie (Calvert Health).

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Support from Nursing Leadership: Nurses who feel supported and heard by leaders within their organizations report greater job satisfaction and are more likely to stay. Nurses and nurse managers share about the importance of support from the highest levels down to the teamwork between colleagues.

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Support from Nursing Teammates: Hear from Maryland nurses and nurse managers about the value they find in their teams and the importance of a workplace culture that creates a sense of community.

Voices of Maryland Nurses

These nurses and nurse managers devoted time to participate in focus groups with the Maryland Action Coalition Retention Committee. They discussed what makes them stay in nursing, what brings them joy in their profession, and what is most needed to retain more nurses going forward.

Denny Marshall

Critical Care and Stroke Coordinator

Denny Marshall

What conditions make it possible for you to practice nursing in a meaningful way?


Support! Support in leadership, support in administration. We are an integral part of the hospital and our leader is present… feeling needed, but then also heard.

Samantha Schwartz

Peri-op Nurse Leader

Samantha Schwartz

What advice do you have for nursing leaders and the MDAC Retention Committee?


I think it's important to make sure that you find the nurse their good fit…I think supporting nurses in finding whatever role is best for them, whether or not it helps you personally, I think it's just important and will set everyone up for success.

Amy Laur

Director of Telemetry and Observation, Calvert Health

Amy Laur

What conditions make it possible for you to lead in a meaningful way?


Good communication and transparency are really important to keep morale up, to keep the staff as well as the directors involved in decisions and to know where we stand and what our goal is, so we’re all working towards the same goal.
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Share your insight on nursing retention

What makes you stay in nursing? What brings you joy while working? What advice do you have for those working to address the nursing shortage and issues with retention? 

Let your voice be heard and make a difference.

Resources

Nurse Retention
Components for Success

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Skilled communication
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True collaboration
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Effective decision making
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Appropriate staffing
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Meaningful recognition
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Authentic leadership

Partners

Maryland organizations working to address the issues around retention

Maryland Action Coalition
Maryland Nursing Workforce Center
Salisbury University School of Nursing and LNF Logos
Maryland Nurse Residency Collaborative
Maryland Organization of Nurse Leaders
Maryland Hospital Association
MHEC NSP I and NSP II
Maryland Nurses Association
MDAC serves as the driving force transforming health care through nursing in our state. Recognizing the important work already underway in Maryland and with a goal of long-term sustainable change, the Maryland Action Coalition leads the way to improve the health of the population.