title: Healthy work environments for the ageing nursing workforce.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to describe the physical challenges that ageing nurses experience and the facility design features that can promote healthy work environments to motivate nurses to continue working.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Older nurses are working longer and beyond the usual retirement age. They often experience chronic fatigue and the usual physical and cognitive changes associated with aging. Nursing is a physically demanding profession and many older nurses work in pain while providing direct patient care. The literature is replete with studies focusing on the organisational factors that retain older nurses, but little research addresses design factors that facilitate nurses working longer and more safely in direct patient care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Electronic databases in medicine, nursing, psychology, and architecture were searched and evidence-based, non-evidence-based, and review articles and government and organisational newsletters were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hospital design can help address the physical work challenges that older nurses experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older nurses have a wealth of knowledge and expertise, and the design of nursing units can optimize their work experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurse Managers must participate in design efforts and advocate designs that support aging nurses.
authors.affiliation: San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA; Sharp Memorial and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns, San Diego, CA, USA; Health Environments Research & Design (HERD) Journals.
authors.forename: Jaynelle F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stichler
mesh_terms: D001494:Baths; D006749:Hospital Design and Construction; D006801:Humans; D007374:Interior Design and Furnishings; D008029:Lighting; D008875:Middle Aged; D009726:Nurses; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D063187:Nursing Stations / Q000458:organization & administration; D016272:Occupational Health; D010362:Patients' Rooms; D014942:Workers' Compensation / Q000191:economics
keywords: ageing nurses; healthcare facility design; nurse injuries; nursing workforce; older nurses; retention