Hospitals - Retired Nurses: A Divisive Temporary Solution
Hospitals - Retired Nurses: A Divisive Temporary Solution
Jean-Marie St Cyr
August 19, 2025 - 1:30 PM
As health services expand and new facilities open, the shortage of healthcare personnel in the public sector becomes increasingly apparent. The retirement of numerous nurses, their transition to private practices, or their emigration exacerbates the situation. To address this crisis, the Ministry of Health has decided to call back retired nurses temporarily to bolster the workforce.
This recall aims to address immediate needs while waiting for fresh talent through the recruitment and training of young nurses. However, this temporary solution is contentious. While some see it as a pragmatic way to keep the healthcare system afloat, others view it as a makeshift measure that delays the implementation of a sustainable recruitment policy.
Dr. Meetheelesh Abeeluck, president of the Government Medical and Dental Officers Association (GMDOA), expresses skepticism. He believes that the return of retired nurses should be contingent on a thorough medical evaluation. "Nurses must be physically capable of providing care and making clinical decisions. If a hired nurse has health issues themselves, it could be dangerous for patients," he warns.
The GMDOA president emphasizes the need for a filtering system based not only on age—no more than 70 years—but also on physical and mental capabilities. He also questions the assignments of these nurses: clinics, emergency services, or less demanding departments. "Even in a lighter service, they will need to care for patients. Could they, for example, perform a cardiac massage?" he asks.
Hierarchical Issues
Another sensitive issue concerns their status upon return. Many retirees left their jobs with high ranks—Charge Nurse, Ward Manager, or Regional Nursing Supervisor. Calling them back to work at a lower level could create hierarchical tensions. "Will a Senior Nurse accept instructions from someone who was once their junior?" Dr. Abeeluck wonders. According to him, while this measure may increase personnel on paper, the on-ground reality could be quite different.
A member of the Medical Records Power Union (MRPU) shares this concern. They believe being called back to work at a lower grade can affect performance. They advocate for increased investment in recruiting young nurses rather than relying on a temporary solution. This sentiment is echoed by other healthcare service categories, such as doctors, who support Dr. Abeeluck and the MRPU union member.
Necessary Supervision
Dr. Abeeluck does not completely dismiss the idea of recalling retirees but calls for strict oversight. "A medical board must be established to assess their fitness," he states. Without this, there is a risk of placing exhausted nurses in clinical situations that exceed their capacities.
From the perspective of the Records Officers, the idea is viewed as a "double-edged sword." The union representative explains, "Retirees already know the job and don’t need training. But their performance will probably not be the same as before," they say.
Conversely, Krist Dhurmah, former president of the Nursing Council, fully supports the initiative to recruit retired nurses. He believes this is the only realistic response to the current crisis. "Training a nurse takes at least three years. We cannot immediately fill the gap without calling on retirees," he explains.
He even considers them as "patriots": "After working in a challenging healthcare system, some want to continue helping for a year or two, until the young ones are trained." For him, many individuals, even over 65 years old, are still fit and capable of providing care.
Krist Dhurmah acknowledges, however, that not everyone is fit to return. Some, "worn out" by many years of day and night work, are at their limit. But others still have the energy needed to contribute. He suggests assigning them to departments suited to their capabilities: clinics, outpatient services, or units with fixed hours, from 8 AM to 4 PM, with minimal night work.
As the Ministry of Health struggles to convince retirees to return despite several recruitment appeals, Krist Dhurmah calls for more encouragement. According to him, this type of recruitment could even be extended to other categories of healthcare personnel, to leverage their experience.