Charting Nursing's Future, April 2008: Improving the retention of older and experienced nurses in the workforce.


 

Publication Date: June 2008

Publisher: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Author(s):

Research Area: Health

Type: Report

Abstract:

The nursing shortage in the United States is expected to triple over the next 13 years, leaving a shortfall of 340,000 nurses in 2020. Premature retirement contributes significantly to this problem.

Researchers say that policy-makers and employers must take urgent action to retain older and experienced nurses in the workforce.

Wisdom at Work, a white paper featured in this brief, offers many different approaches to retaining older, experienced nurses in the workforce well beyond the age of 55, such as offering financial support and incentives for continuing education and research; redesigning work spaces and processes; adopting new technology; and developing creative, individualized benefit packages.