Nurses Returning to Work after Retirement?

I keep reading about the projected lack of nursing workforce expected in the next few years. This is not something that is new in nursing. There have been nursing workforce shortages over the previous thirty-plus years in my career as a Registered Nurse. The overwork and burnout of nurses during the Covid crises has brought the issue to the forefront. What can be done about the expected shortages? Can the upcoming generation of young men and women be enticed into this often emotionally rewarding but monetarily lacking career? If so, will there be enough qualified nursing professors in the field to teach the rising generation of nurses?

I believe one avenue that is often overlooked is drawing on pool of retired yet energetic nurses that may be interested in working part-time a couple of days a week, either in offices or at the bedside to supplement staff shortages. Many hospitals and staffing agencies are not interested in hiring staff to simply fill in one or two days a week, instead preferring to work already exhausted staff an extra day.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter, or alternative solutions to staff shortages in the comments.