The retention of the older nursing workforce: a literature review exploring factors which influence the retention and turnover of older nurses.

In an era of nursing shortages and increased health care demands, it is important to explore factors which contribute to the retention of nursing staff, especially older nurses who contribute a wealth of knowledge and experience to their employing organization. This literature review explored the factors that influence older nurses to leave an organization or to retire early and identified a number of key issues which can influence this decision. These included the need to respect and recognise the achievements of older staff, specific managerial characteristics which influence staff retention, the importance of empowerment and autonomy, the valuing of expertise, the provision of challenges, creating a sense of community within an organization, the importance of education and peer development, the impact of work demands and environment, the influence of flexible working and shift options and the issue of adequate financial reimbursement. From this review, a variety of recommendations have been generated which it is hoped will help to inform the creation of policies and practices that specifically address the issue of retention of older nursing staff.