Healthcare is facing a nursing shortage that will challenge the delivery of medical care in the United States and around the world . The current shortage of registered nurses (RNs) is expected to increase over the next 20 years due to the impending retirement of the baby boomer generation (Griffith, 2012). The nursing profession is struggling to attract new nurses and retain the existing workforce. Many factors, including low retention rates within the profession, contribute to this problem (Gambino, 2010). Unfortunately, often due to lack of financial resources, many of the changes proposed to encourage retention are difficult or impossible to achieve. For this reason, Gambino (2010) suggests researching personal commitment and factors that affect a nurse's commitment to whether a nurse will stay with an employer or nursing profession. MotivationGambino (2010) conducted a study to identify the reasons or motivations of individuals entering the nursing profession. The motivations were either altruistic or analytical. Altruistically motivated people become nurses as a result of a vocation or the desire to practice a profession of well-being. Analytics-motivated individuals have chosen a nursing career for reasons such as job security, flexibility, benefits, and perceived opportunities for advancement (Gambino, 2010). With the Ochsner Health System, several programs are in place for those who are interested in the healthcare field and wish to explore different areas of medicine. These programs range from volunteering to university outreach programs. Job shadowing, a unique offering, allows people aged 16 and over to have one-on-one experiences in a healthcare profession of their choice, for up to 40 hours (Ochsner, nd, “Field trips”) . So that...... middle of paper ...... appreciation. Retrieved from http://www.ochsner.org/careers/employee_appreciationOchsner. (nd). Field excursions and observation courses. Retrieved from http://www.ochsner.org/community/field_trips/Ochsner. (nd). Ochsner STAR program. Retrieved from http://www.ochsner.org/community/ochsner_star_program/Ochsner. (nd). Volunteering. Retrieved from http://www.ochsner.org/donate_volunteer/volunteering/Ochsner. (2012). Benefits Guide 2012. Retrieved from http://choose-healthy.org/benefits-flash-demo.phpOchsner. (2013a). Performance appraisal/performance-based compensation. In Policies and Procedures.Ochsner. (2013b). Tuition assistance. In Policies and Procedures.Ochsner. (2014a). Clinical scale program. In Professional Development.Ochsner. (2014b). Commitment to professional development. In Policies and Procedures. Purpera, C. (April 16, 2014). [Author's personal interview].