Although the nursing shortage is temporarily resolved in many locations, nurse leaders
soon will confront great challenges with a shortage of professional nurses. According
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2010, more than 51% of the workforce is expected
to be age 40 years or older. By 2016, the average age of registered nurses (RNs) is
projected to be 44.9. Nurses in their 50s will be the largest segment of the nursing
population.
1
Every 4 years since 1980, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services conducts
the National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses. Findings from the 2004 survey indicated
that the average age of registered nurses was 46.8 years, and 41% of RNs were 50 or
older.
2
As can be seen from these numbers, the nursing workforce is aging and nearing retirement
at an alarming rate.To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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References
- The aging workforce: implications for health care organizations.Nurs Econ. 2007; 25: 101-102
- National sample survey of registered nurses.(Accessed December 11, 2009.)
- Wisdom at work: the importance of the older and experienced nurse in the workplace [white paper].(Accessed March 2, 2008.)
- Retaining older nurses in hospital practice: a newsmaker interview with Barbara J. Hatcher.(Accessed March 2, 2008.)
- Shortage strategies: retaining the experienced nurse.J Nurs Admin. 2007; 37: 162-163
- Retaining experienced older nurses.(Accessed December 11, 2009.)
- Old, but not out: the aging nurse in today's workplace.(Accessed December 11, 2009.)
- The oldies are goodies.Nurs Econ. 2006; 24: 177-178
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© 2010 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
