The ageing of the nursing workforce: What lies ahead and what we can do

摘要

When I turned 60 last May, like many nurses who have historically in their mid to late fifties considered retirement, I questioned whether it was time to retire. I was no longer in clinical practice so I didn't have to deal with the physical demands of nursing but I thought, isn't this the time when one slows down? Instead I moved half way around the world and took a new job with the International Council of Nurses (ICN). After over 20 years in the trade union movement in Canada, I was intrigued by the opportunity to utilize my skills at an international level. In my first week on the job, I read with interest an article telling the stories of three nurses, all of whom had retired but decided they still had passion for nursing and could make a difference (Snell 2012). The one who really caught my attention was a 74-year-old nursing student who had just completed the first year of a three-year degree course. His view was that when he graduated at 76, he would work for 14 years and then retire gracefully at age 90. Nurses like the rest of the population are living and working longer. Older nurses, whether new graduates or seasoned veterans, have much to offer and can be a vital component of our current and future health care system. Given the global workforce shortages, retaining older nurses could result in their becoming a substantial and growing component of the workforce. We must work together to have a realistic, safe and supportive vision and plan for every stage of a nurse's career.