Commitment expressions of nurses aged 45 and over: Organisational, professional and personal factors

Abstract

Abstract The aims of the study were to explore personal, professional and organisational factors that would affect future participation in the workforce of nurses aged 45 and over. The research was proposed against a background of concerns about a shortage of a skilled nursing workforce in London and ever increasing numbers of older nurses taking retirement. Data were collected with 37 mainly senior F grade nurses and health care assistants using a semi-structured interview schedule and biographical methods. There can be multiple expressions of commitment, which may differ at different levels of the organisation. Personal commitment (i.e., to family and children) was also very important. Expressions of commitment were not expressed in isolation, this means commitment is negotiated, contested and sustained across and within multiple situations.