An exploration of factors that influence end of career nurses' decision making regarding their workforce participation

As healthcare faces a critical shortage of qualified nursing staff, the ageing nursing workforce is further challenged as the 'Baby Boomer' generation approaches retirement age by 2010. While current retention strategies are focused on recruitment, little is known about the reasons for the end of career nurses' (EOCNs') premature retirement or their resilience to remain in the profession. For the purpose of this thesis, the term EOCN is defined as registered nurses aged from 45 years and above, regardless of their length of service in the profession. The purpose of this research is to explore factors that influence EOCNs' decisions regarding their workforce participation. The context of this research is within an acute tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Queensland...