Abstract
The aim of this study was to elucidate employment realities and needs for nurses returning to the workforce. We conducted a mail questionnaire survey of 640 facilities, including geriatric care health facilities, geriatric care welfare facilities, and visiting nursing stations, in Chiba Prefecture. We received 149 responses (a 23.3% response rate), of which 147 were valid. Of these 147 facilities, 68.7% employed nurses returning to the workforce. Employment of nurses returning to the workforce helped resolve a nursing shortage, improve the quality of nursing care, and create a better environment for employees. In addition, 88.4% of these facilities indicated that they intend to employ nurses returning to the workforce in future. The facilities preferred to re-employ nurses returning to the workforce who had previously worked for them, and expected nurses returning to the workforce to have nursing experience relevant to the specific characteristics of the facility they had once worked for. The results of the study indicate that the facilities believe that nurses returning to the workforce can well serve their needs, and are prepared to hire them. Future challenges for employers include how to measure the experience and ability of nurses returning to the workforce and how to set wages accordingly. On the other hand, nurses returning to the workforce are expected to gain experience and skills that are attractive to employers.
