Insights from Nurse Leaders to Optimize Retaining Late Career Nurses

Abstract

In an effort to stem the loss of Ontario's late career nurses, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care introduced the Late Career Nurse Initiative (LCNI) to implement a 0.20 full-time equivalent reduction of physically or psychologically demanding duties of nurses aged 55 or over and repurposing this time to enriching and less demanding activities. Fifty-nine nurse leaders were interviewed to explore their perceptions associated with implementing the LCNI in their respective organizations. Following a qualitative directed content analysis approach, three themes emerged: (1) having a strategic approach, (2) leveraging staff expertise and (3) securing organizational support.

The Changing Landscape of Continuing Care in Alberta: Staff and Resident Characteristics in Supportive Living and Long-Term Care

“…In supportive living, where there is a high proportion of residents with mild or moderate cognitive impairment, younger and less experienced healthcare aides may have fewer skills or abilities to manage the complex needs of these residents. In LTC facilities, where there is a high proportion of residents with dependence in ADLs, an older workforce is vulnerable to declining health and increased physical and mental strain from the demands of care work (Jeffs et al 2014). Retirement resulting in a loss of institutional memory can have a negative impact on healthcare settings (Hart 2007).…”

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“…Feeling under-valued in their current role was reported as a reason for deciding to retire from nursing. Conversely when nurses perceived that their skills and experience were valued by employers, they felt more positive about continuing to work (Blakeley and Ribeiro, 2008;Clendon and Walker, 2016;Jeffs et al, 2014;Ryan et al, 2017;Storey et al, 2009;Uthaman et al, 2016). Formal feedback on job performance was important to nurses.…”

“…Formal feedback on job performance was important to nurses. This feedback helped them make decisions about whether to retire or continue working (Jeffs et al, 2014;Palumbo et al, 2009).…”