Assessment of Preparedness among Nurses Approaching Retirement in a Tertiary Institution, North-Central, Nigeria (Published)
Retirement is a challenging transition for many nurses, often involving loss of identity, reduced sense of value, and concerns about financial security, social isolation, and routine changes, especially for those who are inadequately prepared.This study assesses retirement preparedness among nurses at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital by examining their knowledge, level of preparedness, perceptions of retirement life, factors influencing preparedness, and plans for life after retirement. The descriptive survey design was adopted to gather data from 346 nurses aged 50 years and above who are within ten years of the mandatory retirement age. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of retirement preparedness, level of preparedness, perceptions, influencing factors, and retirement plans. Findings of the study shows that most nurses, despite being experienced and educated, have limited knowledge of retirement preparedness. While some plan financially, many lack clear strategies for health, well-being, and income. Perceptions are mixed, and preparedness is influenced by financial, personal, and institutional factors. Knowledge significantly affects preparedness, but gender does not. The study concludes that despite awareness of retirement planning; significant gaps remain among nurses. It recommends stronger institutional support through retirement education, financial literacy, and accessible pension advisory services to promote smoother transitions, improve well-being, and support sustainable workforce planning.
Keywords: Nurses, Perception, Preparedness, institutional support, pension scheme, retirement planning