Generational Differences among Newly Licensed Registered Nurses

Responses of 2 369 newly licensed registered nurses from 3 generational cohorts—Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y—were studied to identify differences in their characteristics, work-related experiences, and attitudes. These responses revealed significant differences among generations in: job satisfaction, organizational commitment, work motivation, work-to-family conflict, family-to-work conflict, distributive justice, promotional opportunities, supervisory support, mentor support, procedural justice, and perceptions of local job opportunities. Health organizations and their leaders need to anticipate intergenerational differences among newly licensed nurses and should provide for supportive working environments that recognize those differences.

2010

Keepnews, D. M., Brewer, C. S., Kovner, C. T., & Hyun Shin, J.

Nursing Outlook, 58(3), 155-163. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2009.11.001

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