Care workers’ perspectives of factors affecting a sustainable aged care workforce

Lily Dongxia Xiao, Ann Harrington, Kostas Mavromaras, Julie Ratcliffe, Stephane Mahuteau, Linda Isherwood, Carolyn Gregoric

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aims

To identify the reasons why workers decide to enter, stay or leave the aged care workforce; and the factors influencing them to transition between community and residential sectors in Australia.

Background

Factors affecting the recruitment and retention of suitable care workers in aged care are complex and influenced by personal, institutional and societal factors.

Methods

A qualitative description study design.

Results

In total, 32 staff participated in the study. Five main themes were identified: entering aged care with a passion for the job; entering aged care as it is the only employment option; factors attracting care workers to stay in aged care; factors influencing care workers to leave the job; and preferring to work in residential aged care rather than community aged care.

Conclusion

Issues relating to the attraction and retention of aged care workers are influenced by personal, institutional and societal factors. Critical shortages in the aged care workforce make the industry more susceptible to crises such as COVID-19 outbreaks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)49-58
Number of pages10
JournalInternational Nursing Review
Volume68
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021

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