Towards an integrated approach for the management of ageing nurses

Abstract

Introducing incentives centred on all age groups provides an opportunity to create a healthy workplace for all generations of nurses.

An ageing nursing workforce

“…53 Investment in improvements to the workplace and equipment designed to prevent physical injury is also strongly recommended. [53][54][55] Canadian research by LavoieTremblay et al 56 recognised that little is known about measures for the retention of older nurses. Identifying from the literature factors contributing to an optimal psychosocial environment for nursing, the authors developed a decision framework for managers considering retention strategies.…”

“…By matching the domains to responses from a large survey of nurses focusing on factors influencing retention, the authors concluded that the introduction of a participatory style of management would address the needs of older nurses for recognition of and respect for their expertise through consultation, continual sharing of knowledge and sharing of power, allowing nurses to propose workplace solutions, prioritise actions and participate in applying them. 56 Reports from the United States reflect the recommendations from Canada and the United Kingdom, particularly in relation to adapting dimensions of nursing work to accommodate the physical changes of ageing. 54,55 Nevertheless, internationally there are few reports of successful implementation of such strategies: those that exist relate to implementation in a single organisation and do not cover evaluation, for example.…”

Attaining organizational commitment across different generations of nurses

“…According to the United States Department of Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Report (2004b), the country will be short of about 1 million nurses by the year 2020. These dire predictions have led to renewed efforts to recruit and retain nurses, even delaying retirement of older nurses (Lavoie‐Tremblay et al. 2006).…”

Retaining older nurses in primary care and the community

“…2004, Takase et al. 2005), Canada (Blakeley & Robiero 2006, Lavoie‐Tremblay et al. 2006, O’Brien‐Pallas et al.…”