Registered nurses (RNs) are integral to healthcare delivery in the United States, with approximately 4.3 million licensed RNs in 2022, the majority working in hospital settings. However, nearly 10% of RNs are employed in long-term care (LTC) settings such as nursing homes, assisted living communities, and home health agencies. LTC settings are projected to experience substantial employment growth, highlighting the need to understand factors influencing RN employment and earnings in these environments. Previous research indicates that RNs in LTC receive lower pay compared to their counterparts in hospitals.

This article identifies demographic and human capital characteristics associated with RN employment in LTC and examines wage disparities between LTC-employed RNs and those working in other healthcare settings.