Emeritus program brings retired nurses back into the workplace

With the aging of the baby boomer generation, researchers expect roughly 1 million experienced nurses will leave the workforce by 2030. To retain some of their expertise, nurse leaders at Parkview Health System in Fort Wayne, Ind., developed an emeritus-RN (E-RN) program to engage retired nurses and retain nurses approaching retirement. Profiled in the November issue of the Journal of Nursing Administration, E-RNs are employed in a wide variety of roles and settings on a part-time, per diem basis, allowing them to continue to contribute to their hospitals without engaging in physically taxing activities. An analysis of first-year RN turnover rates suggests the presence of E-RNS who can mentor and support new nurses is producing a strong return on Parkview’s investment in the program.