Motivating Generation Z

Discussion board post for NURS609 Trends and Issues, posted on March 2 2023. Post is in response to thread about Generation Z in the nursing workforce.

That is an interesting proposition - that nursing is already meaningful, but how do we make it more enjoyable? I believe you are right, and research agrees, that nurses in particular face high levels of stress and anxiety, especially in the modern landscape of uncertainty and rapid change, escalated by the pandemic (Middleton et al., 2021). Given that the student cohort of Generation Z will be the nursing workforce of the future, and they are scoring higher in anxiety than generations before them (Middleton et al., 2021), it is especially important that they are taught and prepared coping skills to ensure they can survive, and thrive, in the workplace.

The motivational factors for Generation Z are "more intrinsic than previous generations... [they are] looking for transparency and innovation in the world of work" (Tidhar, 2022, p. 329). These are great expectations for workplaces, but Generation Z also expects good salaries and "very good to unrealistic conditions... despite their lack of employment experience" (Tidhar, 2022, p. 329), which is a much more challenging expectation to address, especially in healthcare. However, one study did identify six key variables for attracting Generation Z to the workplace. In the following table, I will consider the variable identified by this study, and brainstorm about its implementation into nursing based on my experience.

Study variables from Chillakuri, 2020; as cited in Tdhar, 2022, p. 329.

As demonstrated in the table above, some elements of the nursing profession do meet the preferred criteria for Generation Z to enter; however, the major disconnect seems to be within power dynamic relationships, particularly between management and nurses. In my experience, nursing workplace management has not updated their style (though is in the process of doing so) in accordance with the needs of Generation Z, satisfying their needs that we have discussed, including enjoying their workplace by feeling connected to it. I believe more transparency and physical interaction between management, and upper levels of management, and floor staff could alleviate a lot of issues that nurses face regarding feeling unconnected and unsupported in the workplace.

References

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

Tdhar, L. (2022). Leadership in an intergenerational gap - A study of managers' views of management and leadership of Generation Z employees. Journal of Public Administration, Finance and Law 26: 328-337. https://doi.org/10.47743/jopafl-2022-26-28