Remaining in nursing work with a sustainable health

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of loading job factors for younger and elderly nurses and the importance of age for remaining in nursing work with a sustainable health. The study was a prospective study of female registered nurses and assistant nurses. The response rate to the questionnaire was 84%, 1854 nurses. During the follow-up period of one and a half years, data on long spells of sick leave (≥ 28 days), retirement pensions, long leaves for different reasons and leave from the employment contract were recorded by means of continuous contact with the work units and the superiors. Being a nurse aged 50 or over implied an increased probability for poor health for working, a tendency of an increased probability for a long spell of sick leave and a decreased probability for leaving the employment contract. There was no difference between nurses aged over 50 and younger nurses regarding the proportion that reported high physical load and high mental demands at work. A work-family conflict was more frequent among the younger nurses.