Healthcare trends: Gen Z in nursing

Discussion board post for NURS609 Trends and Issues, posted on January 9, 2023. Post is in response to thread about exploring specific healthcare trends.

We are living and working in a part of nursing history that I believe will be looked back on as a pivotal point of transformation, not only due to a pandemic that exposed many systemic problems that had been persisting for decades, but also as a new generation of nurses emerges in nursing schools and the nursing workforce. With every new generation that enters a field, new approaches are needed in their learning and engagement, but Generation Z is particularly unique in that they have never lived in a time without internet and technology (Chicca & Shellenbarger, 2018). They are often referred to as the iGeneration, given their native status to the digital world, and research on this group is recently emerging as well (Middleton et al., 2021). Given that the presence and impact of this generation is increasing and expanding over time, this is a demonstrable trend that is highlighting and creating new issues in nursing and nursing education. The following is a mind map I created to consider some of the issues and benefits involved in this generational trend, and the resultant effects on the generation or the nursing profession.

The characteristics of the iGeneration included in this mind map are based on research conducted on the generation through various modalities, including surveys, reviews, and observational data (Chicca & Shellenbarger, 2018; Middleton et al., 2021; Vizcaya-Moreno & Perez-Canaveras, 2020). Generation Z generally includes those born in and after 1995, and are identified as having "underdeveloped social and relationship skills and are at increased risk for isolation, insecurity, and mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression" (Chicca & Shellenbarger, 2018, p. 181). This generation also tends to be individualistic, have limited attention span, and prefer direct, practical feedback (Chicca & Shellenbarger, 2018). They are visual and interactive learners, and prefer to source their information from social media or the internet rather than traditional modalities such as textbooks and articles (Vizcaya-Moreno & Perez-Canaveras, 2020). However, they are risk-averse, seek stability, and have a fear of failure, which is likely the result of growing up in challenging and uncertain times, which further lends to the general anxiety they feel about their careers (Chicca & Shellenbarger, 2018). Given these unique traits about the generation, it stands to reason that traditional teaching methods may be ineffective and counterproductive for this generation of students. Seeing as this cohort is the future of all professions, including nursing, it is a critical trend to understand and learn from in order to facilitate this generation's entry into nursing practice.

Does anyone have experience working or teaching Generation Z nurses or student nurses? Does anyone have Generation Z kids or family? How accurate do you feel these characteristics are, and how does that impact your interaction with these individuals?

References

Chicca, J., & Shellenbarger, T. (2018). Connecting with Generation Z: Approaches in Nursing Education. Teaching and Learning in Nursing 13(2018): 180-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2018.03.008

Middleton, R., Fernandez, R., Moxham, L., Tapsell, A., Halcomb, E., Lord, H., Alomari, A., & Hunt, L. (2021). Generational differences in psychological wellbeing and preventive behaviours among nursing students during COVID-19: a cross-sectional study. Contemporary Nurse 57(6): 1-23. DOI:10.1080/10376178.2021.1987941

Vizcaya-Moreno, M. F., & Perez-Canaveras, R. M. (2020). Social media used and teaching methods preferred by Generation Z students in the nursing clinical learning environment: a cross-sectional research study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(21), 8267; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17218267