Four Generations of the Nursing Workforce

Nursing is multigenerational, with four generations in the workforce at any given time. Each generation has gifts and contributions to offer. No matter how inexperienced the younger generation may appear to those who are more seasoned, those novices will someday be the de facto leaders of the profession. So in challenging and fraught times, it’s always to our advantage to embrace and honor what every generation of nurses brings.

No Room for Cynicism

At a time when we face a global nursing shortage and the aftermath of the worst years of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s never been more important for each generation of nurses to be recognized for what makes them unique and valuable. While human nature may lend itself to older generations casting a wary eye on up-and-coming generations, there should be no room for such cynicism in nursing.

Currently, we have Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, Millennials, and Gen Zers constituting the nursing workforce. From Boomers edging towards retirement to Gen Zers currently in the full blossom of their 20s, the age-related demographics of the profession reflect society at large.

Every generation brings its own attitudes, communication styles, work ethic, collective experiences, and self-identification, and no generation should be overlooked in terms of its importance.

Each Generation Matters

Born approximately between 1946 and 1964, the oldest Boomers are nearing 80 years of age, with collective wisdom born from the lessons of World War II. With the mid-20th century seeing massive undertakings like the construction of the national interstate highway system and the expansion of the suburbs, Boomers also saw the Korean War, Viet Nam, and the Cold Wars take shape.

From around 1965 to 1980, the relatively small Generation X entered society during the 1970s. Then, comprised of a much greater cohort of so-called “latchkey” children, children of divorce, single parents, and enormous demographic shifts, they saw Ronald Reagan elected President in 1980 and the many economic and cultural shifts to come.

Born between 1981 and 1996, Millennials (aka Generation Y) came of age around the turn of the century. The first generation to have personal computers in the home from an early age, and to see the iPhone introduced in 2007, and technology has played a key role in their lives.

Growing up with the increased acceptance of non-mainstream lifestyles, Millennials have embraced and celebrated the diversity of American society like no generation before. With the oldest Millennials in their early 40s, this generation is increasingly taking the reins of leadership in government, healthcare, and other industries.

Generation Z, born more or less between 1997 and 2012, are so-called “digital natives,” never having known life without smartphones, apps, and related technologies. Often maligned by older generations for being overly reliant on technology, this generation cannot be held responsible for the devices created and marketed by previous generations. Yet, marked by the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, the Great Recession of 2008, and the COVID-19 pandemic, this large generation has seen enormous changes in the world during its coming of age.

To Each Their Contribution

Every generation experiences historical events shaping attitudes, aptitudes, norms, and moral underpinnings. But, as we can see, growing up in the aftermath of World War II compared to the shadow of 9/11 or the COVID-19 pandemic yields different outcomes regarding how a cohort of people respond, and the nurses in the workforce come from their own historical and cultural contexts.

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As Your Nursing Resume Gathers Dust

The most unhelpful intergenerational workplace dynamics are unnecessary criticism, suspicion, bullying, and incivility. For example, a younger nurse rolling her eyes because an older nurse doesn’t immediately grasp the use of a new chemotherapy dosing app is as harmful as a Boomer nurse bitterly complaining that a Millennial nurse is taking a mental health day. That nurse having trouble with the chemo app has a great deal to teach her younger colleague, and the Millennial nurse who chooses to take a mental health day could be setting a healthy example for others to follow.

Nurses of the Gen Z variety are more comfortable with emerging technologies and can choose to assist older, less tech-savvy nurses. In addition, Gen Z and Millennial nurses can tap the institutional memory and knowledge of Baby Boomers and Gen Xers, who have a longer-term perspective on the profession’s evolution.

In these challenging times (and what times aren’t somehow challenging?), generational differences could be recognized, celebrated, and taken advantage of in the best ways. Each nurse and generation of nurses have unique contributions, and impatience and sarcastic condescension have no place when we’re all in it together.

Generations rise to prominence in every industry and then move towards maturity and eventual retirement. The ages can choose to come together, recognize one another’s gifts, and leverage those gifts for the good of the whole. Otherwise, immense talent, knowledge, expertise, and potential are needlessly squandered. Let’s do better.

Daily Nurse is thrilled to feature Keith Carlson, “Nurse Keith,” a well-known nurse career coach and podcaster of The Nurse Keith Show as a guest columnist. Check back every other Thursday for Keith’s column.