This report examines the age distribution of Oregon’s nursing workforce from 2012 to 2016 using retrospective analysis of licensing data. While national conversations have warned of an aging nursing workforce, Oregon’s data presents a more nuanced picture. The median age of registered nurses decreased by three years over this four-year span, with notable increases in the number of nurses in their 20s and 30s.

These findings reveal a broad demographic shift, not isolated to urban centers or specific settings. Most employment sectors—including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care—saw a measurable decrease in nurse age, with urban counties showing the most pronounced change. Interestingly, the change in age distribution has resulted in a bimodal curve, suggesting complex dynamics influencing nurse entry and exit across career stages.

Although this younger workforce may ease concerns about future nurse supply, the report also raises critical considerations around experience loss and knowledge transfer. Many older nurses remain in the workforce, potentially delaying retirement, but as they exit, gaps in mentoring and institutional knowledge may emerge. The findings support statewide planning to ensure smooth generational transitions within Oregon’s nursing workforce.