Generations In Nursing

Generations in Nursing

In nursing, we currently have four types of generations working in the work filed. This incudes the, veterans, baby boomer, X and Y. This creates an intresting mix, but also challenges for choosing leadership and management positions as each group strives from different forms of authority and direction.

The “veteran nurses” are our oldest generation of nurses that are becoming retired. This group, prioritizes work over leisure and adhere to rules, roles, policies, and procedures very well as they were clearly outlined. They are very loyal, and take responsibility for their nursing role. I think that this is a great way to practice nursing in today’s field and that the nursing leadership should reward these nurses when they are retired. An autocratic manager is the best kind of management for this workplace generation. It is

directive as guideline should are clearly outlined for this group as they do really well at abiding to the management of their organization.
Baby boomers, the majority of nurses today fall into this category in the workplace.

They value hard work, education, teamwork, face to face meetings, and long work hours. They are able to embrace technology as a way to be more productive, and strive to reach higher heights. This group is beneficial as they are always self-improving and as an effective team member, this benefits nursing in many ways. Leaderships and management should speak with these people in person, and allow for expansion of their ideas and desires. I think a good type of leadership and management would need to be consensual, Interactional leadership with a Democratic manager.

Generation X, have little loyalty or confidence in leaders and institutions, no aspirations of retirement, flexible work schedules, they prefer individual projects and minimal supervision. This group has positives and negatives to it, as team work is not something they enjoy, but they do work quickly to complete tasks. This generation likes working under a motivational leader with a democratic manager. They are very skeptical of authority figures and will test

them.
Generation Y, they are optimistic, interactive, learn and adapt quickly, expect to be well informed, and are able to make quick decisions. They tend to work on their own, but are very unique in different ways which creates for an overall my creative care. This group also has positivies and negatives, like previously said about generation X. It is good to be unique and quick, but those qualities would be enhanced even more so, if they excelled in team work. They are a kind of generation that will test authority but often seen out authority figures when looking for guidance.
I am really glad, that in todays nursing practice we have all four types of generations as each brings a lot to the table. I think in the future, as the veterans and babyboomers leave the workforce, leaders and management will really have to push forward in developing strong teamwork and loyalty amongst the group.