A service improvement project of a legacy nurse programme to improve the retention of late career nurses

Abstract

Background A Nottingham Legacy Nurse Programme was developed in response to the reducing supply of new nursing registrants and an ageing workforce. The programme comprised components of focussed mentorship, knowledge transition, support and development of new learners in practice. Aims The work-based development programme aimed to improve the retention and experience of late career registered nurses. Methods The programme was informed by the evidence base and co-produced with late career registered nurses (aged 55 years or over, approaching retirement). A small pilot programme ( n = 6) was evaluated through a mixed-methods approach. Refinements and recommendations were proposed in response to findings of a scoping search of the literature, feedback from participants and stakeholder groups across the NHS Midlands and East regions ( n = 238). Results A Legacy Nurse programme has potential to address nurses’ individual career development needs, valuing and retaining them in the workforce, enabling them to share professional knowledge and skills within clinical teams and offers a cost-effective solution to improving retention of late career nurses. Conclusions Addressing the needs of late career registered nurses is required to improve retention, job satisfaction, quality-of-care provision and facilitate knowledge transfer. The programme requires evaluation in other care settings and should be considered as part of an integrated approach to nurse retention, inclusive talent management and workforce planning, alongside financial and careers advice.

Registered nurses' perceptions of their career—An interview study

“…Lack of career development programmes also seems to be problematic, considering the quality of patient care. Previous studies have brought up that, as career development is connected to professional competency improvement, it is likely to extend professional values, such as promoting care quality and patient safety (Haines et al, 2021 ; Yarbrough et al, 2017 ). In this study, an even salary for all the nurses regardless of their work performance was brought up.…”

Special Collection Editorial: Nursing through times of challenge and adversity

“…Additionally, public awareness campaigns can help raise the profile of nursing as a profession and promote its importance in times of adversity. We have picked Haines et al’s (2021) paper which developed, piloted, tested and refined a Legacy Nurse programme as an example of how health services can recognise and value the contribution that experienced late career nurses offer to organisations and the career development of others. The authors clearly articulate the importance of acknowledging and utilising experienced nurses in the professional development of others in an attempt to retain a workforce who have experienced unprecedented pressures in recent times.…”