National Center for Health Workforce Analysis, Highlights from the Health Workforce Profile

National Center for Health Workforce Analysis

The North Dakota Health Workforce: Highlights from the Health Workforce Profile

State Health Workforce Profiles Highlights North Dakota

There were nearly 36,000 people employed in the health sector in North Dakota in 2000, 11.6% of North Dakota‘s total workforce. North Dakota ranked 1st among the states in per capita health services employment.
Health services employment in North Dakota grew 29% between 1988 and 2000, while the state’s population declined by 2%, resulting in a net per capita growth of 32% in health services sector employment. This exceeded the national rate of net per capita growth in the health services sector of 21%.
The total population of North Dakota is projected to grow 12% between 2000 and 2020, while the 65 and over population is projected to grow 54% between 2000 and 2020.
In 1999, North Dakota was well below the national rates in the rates of deaths due to cancer, heart disease and firearms. There were low incidences of TB and reported AIDS cases in 2000.
In 2000, North Dakota ranked 1st in the country in the number of hospital beds per 100,000.

Highlights of the findings about the health workforce in North Dakota are presented below. Medicine

There were more than 1,180 active patient care physicians in North Dakota in 2000. With 185 physicians per 100,000 population, North Dakota was lower than the national ratio of 198 physicians per 100,000. North Dakota ranked 28th among states in physicians per capita.
North Dakota had 71 active primary care physicians per 100,000 population in 2000, higher than the rate of 69 per 100,000 for the entire country.
Medical schools in North Dakota graduated 61 new physicians in 1999-00. North Dakota ranked 41st among the 46 states with medical schools in number of medical school graduates. On a per capita basis, North Dakota graduated more new physicians per 100,000 population (9.6) than did the entire United States (6.4) and ranked 9th among the 46 states with medical schools in medical school graduates per capita.
There were 36 physician assistants practicing in North Dakota in 2000. This was equal to 5.6 physician assistants per 100,000 population, less than twice the national rate of 14.4.

Nursing

There were nearly 7,700 licensed registered nurses (RNs) in North Dakota in 2000; more than 7,000 were employed in nursing. There were 1,097.9 RNs per 100,000 population in North Dakota in 2000, significantly higher than the national rate of 780.2.
In 2000, North Dakota ranked 2nd among the states in the per capita employment of Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurses (LPNs), with 428.9 LPNs per 100,000 population which was much higher than the national rate of 240.8 per 100,000. North Dakota ranked 39th in the number of LPNs employed in 2000 with 2,750 workers.
North Dakota had more than 200 nurse practitioners in 2000. This was equal to 31.2 nurse practitioners per 100,000 population, slightly below the national rate of 33.7.
With 10 certified nurse midwives in 2000, North Dakota had 1.6 certified nurse midwife per 100,000 population, well below the national rate of 2.9. North Dakota ranked 39th among states in certified nurse midwives per capita.
With nearly 158 certified registered nurse anesthetists in 2003, North Dakota had 24.6 nurse anesthetists per 100,000 population, more than twice the national rate of 9.3. North Dakota had one of the highest ratios among all states of nurse anesthetists per capita.

Dentistry, Pharmacy and Mental Health

There were 310 dentists, 400 dental hygienists, and 460 dental assistants practicing in North Dakota in 2000. There were 48.4 dentists per 100,000 population in North Dakota in 2000, below the national rate of 63.6. The per capita ratio of dental hygienists was significantly above the national rate.
The number of dentists in North Dakota grew 8% between 1991 and 2000 while the state’s population grew 1%. The result was a 6% increase in dentists per capita compared to a 16% increase nationwide.
There were 570 pharmacists and 500 pharmacy technicians and aides practicing in North Dakota in 2000. North Dakota had 88.9 pharmacists and 78.0 pharmacy technicians and aides per 100,000 population in 2000, which ranked them 7th and 33rd, respectively, among the 50 states.
There were 55 psychiatrists, 530 psychologists, and 700 social workers in North Dakota in 2000. This was equal to 8.6 psychiatrists, 82.7 psychologists, and 109.2 social workers per 100,000 population. North Dakota ranked 34th among states in psychiatrists per capita, 2nd among states in psychologists per capita, and 43rd among states in social workers per capita.

Aides

There were 1,450 home health aides and 5,610 nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants working in North Dakota in 2000. North Dakota had 226.2 home health aides and 875 nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants per 100,000 population in 2000, which ranked 14th and 1st, respectively, among the 50 states.