The “Aging” Nurse: Issues, Myths, and Retention Strategies

The nursing shortage increasingly is focusing on retaining the “aging” nurse. With the growing interest in using this group of health care workers, there are associated questions about real and perceived chronologic limits-physiologic, cognitive, and functional-affecting older nurses. These issues are addressed and discussed in light of research related to older perioperative nurses, aging surgeons, and other health care workers. Retention strategies are discussed.