Future Emergency Nursing Workforce: What the Evidence Is Telling Us

Abstract

Introduction: In Australia, on any given day, there are more than 300 advertised emergency nursing positions, and this situation can be replicated in nearly every country internationally. The nursing shortage globally is known. The importance of not only why nurses specialize in the field of emergency nursing but also why they remain in the field requires an understanding of the evidence and research into nursing recruitment and retention. Leadership within the emergency department has a strong correlation to staff retention. It is hoped that, by gaining a greater understanding of the elements that influence staff retention, we will be able to lay down a strong foundation for the future of emergency nursing.

Methods: This literature review used a bibliographic search as well as the author's own experience.

Results: This article presents the key factors that have impact on emergency nursing retention: workplace environment, demands on emergency nurses, resilience, and education and training.

Discussion: Emergency nursing recruitment and retention is a multifaceted issue that requires urgent attention to develop tools and strategies to support organizations to build a sustainable workforce. This literature review has highlighted the need for further studies to understand why emergency nurses lack the knowledge or capability for a long-term career in emergency nursing.

Keywords: Emergency nurse; Job satisfaction; Leadership; Retention.