Let’s face it, the average age of RNs and travel nurses is only going to rise over time, and the ever-aging corps of nurses will consistently be a serious issue for the healthcare industry on a worldwide scale. Surveys have shown that in just a few years, 2011 to be exact, a mass retirement of nursing professionals will begin and last until about 2020. A few years ago an aging workforce survey was conducted in with hep from the Berbard Hodes Group. Of the 1,000 nurses and nurse managers polled, over half (55%) claimed they intended to retire from their nursing careen between 2011 and 2020. Added to that, 25.5% of the respondents intended to retire after the year 2020.
As staggering as these numbers are, this should not be surprising to healthcare facilities, since the study was conducted in 2006. Those facilites who have not taken step to prepare for this mass retirement should be planning their own ‘going away’ parties. In fact, part of the purpose of the survey was to determine whether or not healthcare facilities have been planning tactics to retain their aging nurse workforce. Findings of the survey show this is not the case.
Among the tactics being implemented by facilities are those of a technical nature. Electric beds and lifts that reduce the physical strains placed on nurses are helpful to nurses and travel nurses at any age. Yet, according to the survey, 28% of facilities have not introduced such devices although many reported that they intended to offer things like ergonomics training, lifting equipment and bariatric equipment. Beyond that, help with continuing education, flexible scheduling and wellness programs topped the list of strategies used to retain the aging nurse workforce.
Anything hospitals and healthcare facilities do to attract and retain healthy nurses and travel nurses would help this situation. And while the study does show a mass exodus, a growing number of nurses are planning to stay in their careers for longer. Healthcare providers need to make it physically and mentally appealing for workers to do their jobs with minimal impact.