Employment and Retention of Retired Nurses in Senior Care Business: A Pre-COVID-19 Scoping Review

Authors

  • Lalita Kaewwilai Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Thailand .
  • Wonpen Kaewpan Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Thailand .
  • Kunwadee Rojpaisarnkit Department of Public Health, Faculty of Science and Technology, Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University, Chachoengsao, Thailand
  • Thapanut Kaewpan Faculty of Industrial Technology, Rajabhat Rajanagarindra University, Chachoengsao, Thailand

Keywords:

Post-retirement, Retired nurses, Nurse retention, Senior care setting, Aging workforce, Scoping review

Abstract

This review examined employment patterns of retired nurses in senior care settings, analyzing 13 studies selected from 7,445 articles across multiple international databases between 2011-2021. The research revealed a varied approach of post-retirement nursing employment, characterized by diverse and flexible work models including full-time, part-time, and casual positions primarily focused on home and community-based senior care.

Key findings highlighted the multifaceted nature of retired nurses' professional experiences. Strengths included enhanced mental resilience, high job commitment, and lower burnout rates, but face limitations such potential physical and cognitive limitations. Critical competencies identified encompassed geriatrics nursing skills. interpersonal relationships, professional value, work schedule management, continuous self-development, communication skills, and professional independence. Job retention emerged as a complicated process influenced by interpersonal relationships, professional development, work autonomy, and job commitment.

The study found that retirement decisions are complex, involving complicated interactions between individual health conditions, professional relationships, job satisfaction, and organizational environments. Work-life balance was found to depend on personal well-being, meaningful work experiences, supportive workplace cultures, and strong social support networks. Recommendations emphasize the need for adaptive employment models, continuous professional development, and organizational strategies that recognize and maximize the extensive expertise of retired nurses in senior care settings. Future research directions include longitudinal workforce trend analysis, standardized post-retirement employment frameworks, and comprehensive investigations into technological adaptations for retired nurses.

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Published

2026-08-26