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A scoping review of the nursing workforce's changing demography: Supporting Baby‐Boomer nurses
Author(s) -
Gan Ivan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.13132
Subject(s) - baby boomers , nursing , telehealth , telecommuting , workforce , medicine , health care , work (physics) , telemedicine , political science , economics , law , demographic economics , mechanical engineering , engineering
Abstract Aims This scoping review discusses two telecommuting options to advance scholarship regarding Baby‐Boomer nurses' delayed retirement and to extend their contribution to bedside nursing. Background Peer‐reviewed studies published in the 15 years before COVID‐19 indicate that Baby‐Boomer nurses' retirement will increase the global nursing shortage. However, three international trends have affected Baby‐Boomer nurses' decision to delay their retirement. Evaluation This review observed the scoping review framework. Key issues COVID‐19 further disrupts the current understanding of Baby‐Boomer nurses' retirement as they recognize COVID‐19's impact on health care systems and younger nurses. Technological advancements and the changing needs of health care delivery have made telecommuting a practical possibility. Conclusion Baby‐Boomer nurses can leverage alternative work arrangements to meet their needs and to contribute to clinical practice through telecommuting. This approach extends Baby‐Boomer nurses' careers and creates a resource for bedside nurses. Implications for Nursing Management Clinical experience matters at the bedside. Telecommuting maximizes the retention of Baby‐Boomer nurses' clinical expertise to benefit patients and to socialize bedside nurses. Baby‐Boomer nurses can contribute to patient monitoring as well as patient education and counselling through telehealth. They can also provide asynchronous and synchronous telementoring to bedside nurses.