Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Summer 7-1-2026

Abstract

Nursing shortages have varied over the decades, yet persist at local, national, and global levels. Nurses report leaving the workforce for many reasons, including professional environment factors resulting from these shortages, further exacerbating a shrinking workforce and population growth. Recent efforts include recruitment and education incentives and implementation of the New Mexico Board of Nursing (NMBON) Inactive Reserve Licensure option, which allows retiring nurses to maintain a reduced-scope nursing license with fewer barriers. Despite these efforts, questions remain: why are nurses in New Mexico leaving the profession and would this licensure category have impacted retention? The purpose of this project was to survey individuals with inactive New Mexico registered nursing (RN) and practical nursing (PN) licenses regarding their reasons for leaving nursing and their perceptions of the Inactive Reserve Licensure category. A descriptive, cross-sectional survey design examined self-reported demographic information and reasons for not renewing licensure. Response options were developed using validated tools and commonly reported reasons identified in current nursing workforce research. Findings indicated that retirement, pursuing nursing outside of New Mexico, and emotional well-being were the most frequently reported reasons for leaving the workforce among respondents, who were predominantly RNs aged 65 and above. Survey responses also demonstrated significant willingness to participate in the Inactive Reserve Licensure category, return to nursing, and complete similar surveys in the future. The NMBON reported the survey collaboration to have good usability, suggesting the project provides valuable insights that may inform future retention strategies and policy decisions in New Mexico.

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