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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Susan Letvak, PhD, RN, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, PO Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402, 336-256-1024, saletvak@uncg.edu

The U.S. is experiencing a dramatic aging of its workforce. In 2000, 13% of the US workforce was 55 and older, and by 2015 this figure is expected to rise to 20%. The RN workforce is aging more rapidly than the workforce as a whole. By 2010 the average working RN will be 50 years old. Retaining our older most experienced nurses is vital to quality healthcare. While older RNs were once rewarded with physically less demanding positions (such as in management or infection control), the current push for Magnet status and a more educated workforce has left older nurses, who often lack advanced education, at the bedside or leaving hospital nursing entirely. Hospital staff nurses, especially those who are older, can be considered a vulnerable group at risk for job discrimination as well as health and safety concerns. Older RNs may be more susceptible to job stress and chronic musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive strain and injury. In order to protect older RNs rights to remain healthy and safe in the workforce for as long as they wish to remain, physical, as well as psychosocial aspects of aging must be integrated into solutions and recommendations. Specifically, healthcare employers need to focus on the individual, the physical workplace, organizational dynamics and culture of the organization. Specific health and safety concerns, as well as recommendations for addressing the aging RN workforce, will be presented.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe the aging of the RN workforce
• State the health and safety concerns of older RNs
• Develop retention strategies that address physical and psychosocial aspects of aging

Keywords: Aging, Nurses

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation