[hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Salaries comprise only part of an employee’s total earnings. Benefits are also important, as they provide the resources workers need to avoid burnout. Employee benefits help companies attract potential workers and demonstrate that employers are invested in maintaining their workers’ overall health and well-being. In the healthcare industry, benefits can help registered nurses (RNs) stay well-rested, healthy, and motivated to perform to their best abilities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employee Benefits Survey examines benefits for workers in many different industries. The survey considers benefits, such as paid vacation leave, paid family leave, retirement benefits, and subsidized commuting.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the BLS’ findings, nurses rank first for access to childcare, paid family leave, and employee wellness benefits.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]28% of nurses receive childcare[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]36% get paid family leave[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]81% can take advantage of employee wellness programs[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]In fact, nurses receive a higher percentage of benefits compared to all workers in the U.S. in nearly all categories. This guide highlights benefits for nurses and explores how they compare to other professions. It also shows how these benefits have changed over time.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]On Average, Registered Nurses Have Better Access to Employee Benefits[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The table below lists some common employee benefits, including paid sick leave, paid holiday leave, and healthcare. The data shows the percentage of RNs who receive these benefits in comparison to the percentage of all workers with access to the same benefits.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the data, nurses enjoy greater access to 11 out of these 12 benefits than workers in other fields.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The benefits with the largest percentage point difference in access were:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Employee wellness programs. About 81% of nurses receive access to this benefit, compared to 44% of all workers. That’s a 37% difference overall.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Life insurance. Approximately 84% of nurses received this benefit, compared to 73% of all workers. The difference is 24%.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Retirement. About 90% of nurses enjoyed retirement benefits, compared to 71% of workers in other fields. That equals a 19% difference.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The only instance in which all workers received greater access to a benefit than nurses involved flexible work scheduling. This is likely unsurprising to many nurses, who often work nights and 12-hours shifts. Overall, however, nurses enjoy far more benefits than the average worker.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Percentage of Employees With Access to Each Benefit: [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]Registered Nurses[/hen-ui-link] Compared to All Workers[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Employee Benefit[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Registered Nurses[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]All Workers[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Paid Sick Leave[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]94%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]78%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Paid Holiday Leave[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]92%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]78%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Healthcare[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]91%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]73%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Retirement Benefits[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]90%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]71%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Paid Vacation Leave[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]89%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]76%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Life Insurance[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]84%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]60%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Employee Wellness Program[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]81%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]44%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Paid Family Leave[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]36%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]21%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Childcare[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]28%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]11%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Subsidized Commuting[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]14%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]8%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”/resources//student-loan-forgiveness-for-nurses/”]Student Loan Repayment[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]10%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]4%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Flexible Work Schedule[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Employee Benefit”]10%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]12%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”float:right;” tag=”em”]Source: BLS Employee Benefits Survey[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”clear:both;”]Access to Employee Benefits Has Improved for Nurses Over the Past Decade[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The following table shows how nurses’ access to benefits has changed over the past decade. As the data demonstrates, the percentage of nurses who receive these benefits has increased in every category.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Among the key findings:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The greatest change occurred with employee wellness programs. In 2020, 81% of nurses enjoyed access to these programs, compared to 59% in 2010. That’s a change of 22%.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The number of nurses who received life insurance policies also increased significantly. A decade ago, about 73% of nurses held life insurance policies, which increased to 84% in 2020. That equals a difference of 11%.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Subsidized commuting experienced the least growth. In 2010, 11% of nurses were reimbursed for their commuting costs. By 2020, that percentage had only increased to 14%, a difference of just 3%.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”/articles/nursing-healthcare-trends/”]If trends[/hen-ui-link] continue, access to these benefits should continue to grow. However, the COVID-19 pandemic may influence RNs’ benefit opportunities.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Please note: this table does not include student loan repayment or flexible work schedule, as the BLS survey only began collecting this data in 2020.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Percentage of [hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/how-to-become-a-rn//”]Registered Nurses[/hen-ui-link] With Access to Each Benefit: In 2010, 2015, and 2020[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Benefit[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]2010[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]2015[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]2020[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Childcare[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]21%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]24%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]28%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Employee Wellness Program[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]59%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]69%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]81%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Healthcare[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]82%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]85%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]91%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Life Insurance[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]90%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]71%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]78%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Paid Vacation Leave[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]89%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]76%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]78%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Life Insurance[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]73%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]77%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]84%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Paid Family Leave[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]82%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]86%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]92%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Paid Holiday Leave[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]82%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]86%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]92%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Paid Sick Leave[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]83%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]86%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]92%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Paid Vacation Leave[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]82%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]85%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]90%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Retirement Benefits[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]82%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]83%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]90%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Subsidized Commuting[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Benefit”]11%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2010″]9%[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2015″]14%[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”float:right;” tag=”em”]Source: BLS Employee Benefits Survey[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”clear:both;”]Registered Nurses Enjoy an Above Average Number of Paid Vacation Days[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This table illustrates the average number of paid vacation days for nurses compared to all workers. The table also shows how those numbers change by length of employment.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]As the data indicates, nurses consistently receive more paid vacation days than all other workers. On average, nurses get three more days of paid vacation than all employees, a figure that’s consistent throughout the length of employment. As you can see:[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-list variant=”unordered” bullet-style=”bullet”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After one year, nurses receive 17 vacation days, on average. That’s compared to 14 vacation days for all workers.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]After 20 years, the difference remains the same. Nurses receive an average of 26 vacation days, while all workers get an average of 23 vacation days.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Research has shown that taking vacation days leads to better mental health and improved productivity. Many nurses do not take advantage of their allotted paid vacation days, citing scheduling complications or other responsibilities. However, professionals who work in high-pressure environments like healthcare can help manage their stress by taking time off.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Average Number of Paid Vacation Days By Length of Employment[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Length of Employment[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”][hen-ui-link href=”/registered-nursing/”]Registered Nurses[/hen-ui-link][/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]All Workers[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]After 1 Year[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Length of Employment”]17[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]14[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]After 5 Years[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Length of Employment”]21[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]18[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]After 10 Years[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Length of Employment”]24[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]21[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]After 20 Years[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Length of Employment”]26[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Registered Nurses”]23[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ style=”float:right;” tag=”em”]Source: BLS Employee Benefits Survey[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″ style=”clear:both;”]Good Benefits Create Happy Employees[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Research shows that good benefits only reinforce better employee retention rates. A [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/benefits/pages/health-benefits-foster-retention.aspx” target=”_blank”]survey from America’s Health Insurance Plans[/hen-ui-link] found that 56% of workers with healthcare benefits considered their healthcare coverage to be a key factor in whether to stay at their current job.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]This information can also serve as a powerful tool for nurses on the job hunt. Keeping these figures in mind, nurses may be able to negotiate the benefits within their employment agreement. Individuals who know that most nurses get paid vacation and sick leave are more likely to demand these benefits in their employment conditions.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]They also know that it is far less common to receive benefits, such as subsidized community and childcare. The healthcare industry still has areas for improvement. Only 36% of nurses enjoy paid family leave, 28% get childcare, and 10% receive help with student loan repayment.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nevertheless, nurses enjoy a wealth of benefits compared to other workers in the United States. These benefits help nurses perform well, lessen the chances of burnout, and pay off for employers. After all, happy and fulfilled employees lead to better outcomes for patients.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Methodology[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Data was collected from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ National Compensation Survey March 2020 and accessed on December 7-8, 2020. Data reflects access rates for civilian workers, which includes employees from both the public and private sectors. Healthcare is a collective term that includes any employee with access to medical, vision, dental benefits or outpatient prescription drug coverage.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Average number of vacation days reflects time off for employees with consolidated leave plans that designate a single amount of time off for multiple purposes.[/hen-ui-text]