Aim: To provide an overview of the debate in the literature on the aging of the nursing profession.
Method: Review of the main articles published since year 2000.
Results: The rapid aging of the nursing workforce is a new phenomenon that Italian organizations have to face. Many nurses ready for retirement would be willing to remain in a more adequate work environment and salary. The story of a nurse retained at work is presented.
Conclusions: A leadership careful of this phenomenon and able to re-plan work environments and supportive mechanisms need to be developed to take on this new challenge.