Nursing units today, need to be ran like a well-oiled machine. In order to do this, everyone that makes up the nursing unit needs to understand their co-workers and what drives them professionally. There are four generations that make-up todays nursing units. I believe, if everyone had a clear understanding of what generations encompass their nursing unit there will be less conflict in the nursing unit and a better understanding of what drives each individual professionally. Which in turn, leads to nurses spending more time at the patient’s bedside, better patient care given and thus improved patient outcomes. “The Veteran Generation (Born between 1922 and 1945) was also known as the war generation, the silent generation and traditionalists …show more content…
Veterans value safe work conditions, job security, adequate benefits and job satisfaction in the workplace (Murray, 2013, p.38). As the Veteran generation prepares for retirement, they fully anticipate reaping the rewards of their loyalty, longevity and contributions to nursing (Weston, 2006). The Baby Boomer Generation (Born between 1946 and 1964) was born into the post-World War II economic prosperity and opportunity (Weston, 2006). Baby Boomers were members in smaller families and were doted on by parents, schools, and society as a whole (Weston, 2006). For the most part, they grew up in two-parent households where the father earned the family income and the mother was the home caretaker (Weston, 2006). News became more visual and dramatic as world-changing events such as men landing on the moon and the shooting of a president were seen on television (Weston, …show more content…
workers (Weston, 2006). They value participative management, personal growth, and recognition in the work place (Murray, 2013, p. 38). Baby Boomer nurses view professionalism in nursing as an important aspect (Murray, 2013, p. 38). They are driven to succeed, willing to work long hours and they are good team players (Murray, 2013, p. 38). They are committed to their place of employment and enjoy meaningful work (Murray, 2013, p. 38). Boomers are often judgmental of those who see things differently, overly sensitive to feedback, uncomfortable with conflict (Murray, 2013, p. 38). Furthermore, they believe new staff members should pay their dues before moving up the career ladder (Murray, 2013, p.
After World War II, Americans experienced a time of rapid social change. American soldiers were discharged and returned home from the battlefields, hoping to find work and to get on with their lives. Marriage rate increased dramatically after the war. North American population experienced what is known as the “Baby boom” – an 18-year period of rapid population growth from 1946 to 1964. During this period, many children were born than in the same period before or after. During the post war years, the United States embarked on one of its greatest periods of economic expansion. Many Americans had enjoyed economic prosperity. However, the United States has changed since 1950. American society today is different from our grandparents’ generation. The rising divorce rates, population growth in the suburbs, the lives of women and mothers working outside the home marked the tremendous social changes in American society today.
Rubin’s research shows that a lot can happen in just one generation. Much has been spoken lately of what Tom Brokaw has declared “The Greatest Generation;” those who fought in WWII. These Americans came back from the war, started families, and worked hard to achieve “The All American Dream.” But somewhere they must have missed something because this generation is the generation that produced the “pot smoking, free love hippies” who then produced the adults in Rubin’s study. What changed so much with a generation that was the epitome of hard work, discipline, and structure? Stephanie Coontz’s article, “What We Really Miss about the 1950’s” addresses that. The world between 1920-1950 is not what we think. There was a high murder rate, a substantial divorce rate, and “an older generation of neighbors or relatives who tried to tell them how to run their lives and raise their kids.” (Skolnick 33) It’s this sense that their children see the world so differently that’s so hard for working-class parents. “For it seems to say that now, along with ...
Wieck, K. L., Dols, Jean, RN, PhD,N.E.A.-B.C., F.A.C.H.E., & Landrum, Peggy,R.N., PhD. (2010). Retention priorities for the intergenerational nurse workforce. Nursing Forum, 45(1), 7-17. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.library.capella.edu/docview/195019599?accountid=27965
Unfortunately, today’s supply of nurses is not expected to live up to the forecasted demand. It is estimated that more than 70 million Americans will be age 65 or older by the ...
Veterans Born in years prior to 1945, this generation is generally referred to as Veterans, Silent’s, Traditionalists, Matures or Pre-Boomers. They have had their life experiences shaped by events such as the Great Depression, Lindbergh flying across the Atlantic, the Hindenburg disaster, construction of the Empire State Building, Golden Age of Radio, World Journal of Behavioral Studies in Business Identifying strategies, page 3 War II, and the Korean War. There are approximately 50 million of people of this generation still in the workforce (Smith Clark, 2010). Baby Boomers are those born between the years 1945 and 1964. Their life experiences were shaped by the Vietnam War, Woodstock, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Civil Rights Movements,
During World War I and World War II, America called upon thousands of women to become nurses for their country to help in hospitals and overseas units. America’s calling was considered a success and by the end of World War I, 23,000 nurses served in Army and Navy cantonments and hospitals, 10,000 served overseas, and 260 either died in the line of duty or from the influenza pandemic (“Nursing Reflections”, 2000, p. 18). In the early 1930s, nurses experienced the devastation of the depression. Families were very poor and unable to feed themselves let alone pay for a nursing visit. This caused many nurses to seek work elsewhere. Nurses who were lucky to be empl...
A generation is a group of people that shares age, years, location, and special life events. Each generation has markers, such as historical events, that affect the entire generation (Phillips, 2016). Generation diversity in nursing helps to create an entire, complete team by bringing together people with various moral and ethical perspectives. The current generations that make up teams in nursing today include Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials. Although bringing together these different generations creates a blend of clinical expertise and experiences, conflicts and challenges often arise because each group holds diverse outlooks and considers different qualities important or admirable. By understanding the diversity
However, upon securing a job, they find that things on the ground are not as they had expected them to be and this results in some of them deciding to leave the profession early. Research shows that turnovers within the nursing fraternity target person below the age of 30 (Erickson & Grove, 2011). The high turnover within the nursing fraternity results in a massive nurse shortage. This means that the nurses who decide to stay have to work for many hours resulting in exhaustion. A significant percent of nurses quitting their job sites exhaustion and discouragement as the reason that contributed to their decision. In one of the studies conducted on the issue of nurse turnover, 50% of the nurses leaving the profession argued that they felt saddened and discouraged by what they were unable to do for their patients (Erickson & Grove, 2011). When a nurse witness his/her patients suffering but cannot do anything because of the prevailing conditions he/she feels as if he/she is not realizing the reason that prompted him/her to join the nursing profession. The higher rate of nursing turnover is also affecting the quality of care nurses provide to
The nursing workforce is particularly challenged when it comes to retaining high quality nurses in the profession. This issue is relevant to new and seasoned nurses alike. There are senior nurses experiencing burnout intending to leave the workforce before retirement age and new nurses leaving the profession prematurely, creating too much nurse turnover. When turnover takes place unexpectedly and prior to retirement, the collective effect is financially and socially detrimental to the nursing profession and healthcare institutions. High nurse turnover can influence a healthcare organization’s ability to provide quality patient care and accomplish the best possible patient outcomes (Hayes et al., 2006). Investigating the sources of high nurse turnover rates and the negative impact on healthcare will bring greater understanding to this nursing workforce issue.
A myriad of challenges are faced in healthcare today. From over-crowding and long waiting lists to staff shortages which have knock on effects resulting in inadequate skills mix and unacceptable nurse-patient ratios. An aging population, high birth rates and an increase in chronic diseases also puts pressure on the healthcare system. The nursing role has had to evolve in response to changing societal needs and the challenges in the healthcare system today. (McCurry et al. 2009). This can bring additional challenges to nurses’ professional identity. ??
If nurses have positive attitudes about aging they can install positive attitudes onto their coworkers about the aging process. With installing positive attitudes onto their coworkers this can change how those nurses view aging. Nurses can also act as a role model by refrain from telling ageism jokes, and treating older adults with respect and listening to the older adults and his or her concern. This will help other people in society will help change the way the view the elderly population. With the nurse being a role model he or she can start a cascade of other healthcare professionals being a role model and combat
The prolonged shortage of skilled nursing personnel has been a serious concern to the healthcare industry, and this shortage has impacted the quality of care delivery. In addition, nursing turnover has also exacerbated the problem of nursing shortage. Nursing shortage has been blamed on many nurses retiring and less younger nurses joining the occupation. There is also an increase in life expectancy (baby boomers) leading an increase in both physical and mental ailment with subsequent demand in nursing care. Nurses are also leaving nursing profession because of inadequate staffing, tense work environment, negative press about the profession, and inflexible work schedules. Even though nursing is a promising career and offers job security, the
... parents, who suffered deprivations during World War II and vowed to give their children the things they didn't have. As teenagers, they experienced the new freedoms and conveniences of the 1960s and '70s everything from civil rights to TV dinners to souped-up American cars. Now, as adults, boomers are juggling adult
Nursing is more than merely a job, an occupation, or a career; it is a vocation, a calling, a frame of mind and heart. As a nurse, one must value the general good of others over his own. He must devote of himself nobly to ensure the well-being of his patient. However, today’s well-recognized nurses are notably different from nurses of the recent past. Service is the core of the nursing profession, and the essential evolution of the vocation reflects the ever-changing needs of the diverse patient population that it serves. As a profession, nursing has evolved progressively, particularly in its modernization throughout the past two centuries with the influence of Florence Nightingale. The field of nursing continues to grow and diversify even today, as nurses receive greater medical credibility and repute, as its minority representations
My reasons for selecting a career in nursing stem directly from my desire to help our prospering population and community. This career appeals to me because it embodies what I strive to become, a person of influence, a guide, a respected adult, a mentor, and a person that can be trusted and looked up to with great passion. Another reason for selecting a career in nursing has a lot to do with my current job position at Generations Elder Care. Working with the elderly community at this personal care home has enriched my life in many ways, including one for my passion of learning more about the nursing field. As I shadowed the nurses entering the facility I watched them do their assessments on the residents which has peaked my curiosity. I believe being a nurse presents daily challenges which are unique, interesting, and rewarding and that is another reason why I want to become a nurse. Knowing that I have helped someone in some way possible gives me a feeling of fulfillment and enjoyment that I never understood or had before. And this career offers just that, and that is exactly why I...