Facts at a glance

In the US

Number of registered nurses 2,583,770;

Mean hourly wage $31.99

Mean annual wage $66,530

Source: The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2009.

In Canada

As of 2008, there were 261,889 registered nurses.

About 8.4% of registered nurses employed in Canada graduated from an international nursing program.

The UK(17.9 percent) and the Philippines (30.2 percent) were the countries of graduation for almost half the internationally trained nurses practicing in Canada. The US was the source for 7.3 percent of the internationally trained graduates in the RN workforce.

Source: Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions

In China

At the end of 2010, 2 million registered nurses were employed.

A nurse graduate can expect to earn 2,268 yuan ($350) a month, below the national average of 2,369 yuan ($365).