Why do older RNs keep working?

Authors/Creators

Elizabeth Graham
Judith Donoghue
Christine Duffield, Edith Cowan UniversityFollow
Rhonda Griffiths
Jen Bichel-Findlay
Sofia Dimitrelis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To identify the reasons older RNs (≥45 years) remain in the healthcare workforce.BACKGROUND: Despite predictions of early retirements of older nurses, many continue to work past the age when they can gain access to their retirement funds.METHODS: The authors surveyed nurses older than 45 years in New South Wales, Australia.RESULTS: The need for income was the most common reason for staying in nursing (61.9%; n = 210), with nearly 43% (n = 130) identifying this as the main reason for staying.CONCLUSIONS: Retaining older nurses in the workforce is an important strategy for managing workforce shortages. Nurse executives will need to consider strategies that will enhance retention of older nurses and focus on the reasons older nurses want to keep working.

RAS ID

18745

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

1-1-2014

Faculty

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School

School of Nursing and Midwifery

Copyright

subscription content

Publisher

Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

Comments

Graham E., Donoghue J., Duffield C., Griffiths R., Bichel-Findlay J., Dimitrelis S. (2014). Why do older RNs keep working?. Journal of Nursing Administration, 44(11), 591-597. Available here

Recommended Citation

Graham, E., Donoghue, J., Duffield, C., Griffiths, R., Bichel-Findlay, J., & Dimitrelis, S. (2014). Why do older RNs keep working?. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000131