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Economic determinants of the labor force withdrawal of Registered Nurses

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Abstract

This study examines two outflows that affect the labor supply of Registered Nurses (RNs), nurses leaving the profession to pursue a non-nursing occupation and employed nurses withdrawing from the labor force. Using pooled CPS data for 1980–90, a probit model is specified to estimate economic influences on the labor-force-withdrawal decisions of RNs. Evaluating the estimated probit function for different sets of RN characteristics yields different probability estimates of labor-force withdrawal. The results suggest that, although relatively few RNs leave the nursing profession to seek non-nursing occupations, a significant number withdraw, at least temporarily, from the labor force. The wage rate, other family income, presence of children, and full-time/part-time work status have a significant influence on the withdrawal decision.

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Parker, C., Rickman, B. Economic determinants of the labor force withdrawal of Registered Nurses. J Econ Finan 19, 17–26 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02920211

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