Nursing: Changes Over the Generations

Nurses as mentors or models bridging the generational gap

Regarding nursing changes over the generations, what are the major challenges, when it comes to different generations of nursing? Is it ever possible to resolve all of the generational differences among nurses?

Realistically, any profession has generational encounters, at some point in time. Multiple generations may be involved. Effective resolution of generational differences is important. This is particularly true among nurses, who are working with other nurses from different generations of nursing. Many nurses have older nurses in their families who have influenced them, in one way or another. These nurses have served as role models for younger family members or have been a source of inspiration for younger nurses.

Times change and nursing trends come and go. This can raise issues, concerns or cause conflicts that require effective resolution, on various generational levels. In every generation of nursing, there has been a wide diversity of training for nurses. There are continual transitions in medicine and medical practice to contend with, too. Add to that, the ongoing changes that involve the essential principles of nursing care versus the basics of nursing practice. Even nurses begin to wonder at times, which generation is correct with regard to theory and practice and what is preferable.

At times, there can be direct confrontation between the different generations of nurses. This may involve ongoing ethical concerns regarding practice and principle, hospital or medical policy, as well as differing standards of professional conduct and various levels of professionalism. 

In every generation, there can be a shift in terms of economic priorities, with regard to nursing. The economy affects the financial status of nurses. One must ask if nurses have to be swayed by the economy of a region, country or by the global economy. Globally, the status of patients and their nursing care is affected. Quality nursing care should be a major priority in every generation, regardless of the state of a country's economy.

Nurses from every generation, may prefer some degree of permanency in nursing theory and practice, but non-permanency is one reality they have to contend with on a daily basis. Nurses have to cope with ongoing transitions in nursing and there is resistance to change. One generation might argue that the experiential aspect is more important than the theoretical aspect of nursing. Some nurses in each generation, may argue in favor of nursing theory, at the same time as others insist on experience or hands-on-practice. At what point do these issues come together?

Nurses are obligated to inquire into serious nursing issues and to know how they have been dealt with, in the past. They must be aware of how they are regarded in the present, but it is always in the light of the future. This involves continual research on the part of the nurses. There are continual changes in the use of equipment and supplies. Add to that, changes in various procedures, treatments, medication and the method of medication administration.

How important is their dress code is to nurses, in different generations. Nurses involved in establishing new trends as change is inevitable.

There is a need to assess past and present nursing skills, as these change, but who is qualified to assess this, in terms of different generations of nurses?

Basic academic requirements for entry into nursing programs, constantly undergo transition throughout the generations. From an academic perspective consider nursing texts, journals, videos, cds and dvds or other methods of teaching. Upgrading is essential in every generation.

There are new areas of concern for nurses, in each generation. For instance, in our era what role does long distance nursing play? What direction will it go in the future?

What is happening with computers in nursing at this time? What is the future of computers, or other electronic devices, in relation to nursing?

Nursing is considered to be a career, one in which nurses are expected to study for the rest of their lives, but who pays the cost? Will this ever change?

There are other questions that arise, too. For instance, what happens to the learning curve of nurses, as time progresses? It may be higher in new generations of nurses, than it is in prior generations. The opposite can be true depending upon the dedication of the nurses.

Nurses have always been in high demand, regardless of the era. This will continue to be true in the future. 

While there are many jobs, are they accessible to the previous generations of nurses or are they only there for the new graduates, in each successive generation?

What about staffing and the various nursing roles that invariably demand stamina in excess? In reality, few hospitals have sufficient staff, when examined on a basis of a patient-staff ratio. Insufficient staff means excessive demands on nurses, regardless of their generation. Stamina levels diminish when there is a workload that is not appropriate, regardless of the generation of the nurses.

In every decade, there is a continual transition in terms of scheduling and the length of shifts. Nurses bounce back and forth between eight, ten and twelve hour shifts, depending upon where they work. Which is more appropriate or practical, in each generation?

Can nurses survive financially in every era? Pay equity controversy invariably enters into the generational picture. How should salary levels be calculated? Should pay scales be established, based upon years of experience and expertise or merely upon academic credentials?

What about the insistence on university degrees in nursing? There is an increasing demand for university degrees, but is there appropriate monetary remuneration for such? The nurses without degrees, even those with years of experience, can be phased out.

From an administration point of view, which is better for a hospital, a nursing home or a community nursing organization, new graduates or older graduates? Who should be in management and who should be in non-management nursing positions? Who makes the decision in each generation?

From a spiritual direction, does religion play a part in the old school of thought and the new school or is the spiritual realm of nursing relegated to generations past? Should this change?

From a health status perspective, what about nursing injuries or age and health related issues? Are there viable pension plans for nurses? What happens to nurses who are injured at work? What is the future of semi-retired nurses? What is the fate of nurses who contract different diseases?

It is little wonder there is always some degree of frustration, anger and complacency among nurses, but in reality, every generation has changes, challenges or confrontations to contend with.

Many nurses from previous generations have wisdom in excess to contribute to nursing and yet, where does this fit into the nursing picture? What happens to the nursing expertise, skills and nursing education that nurses have to offer to the younger generation?

Many times, nursing comes down to nurses as mentors versus models. The ideal nurse does not exist, but may be perceived as the mentor and the model for the next generation. New graduates take on the role of model nurse, but are soon into burnout from stress and work overload. Over time, they are destined to become phased out. They become the next generation, as the new graduates are turned out en masse, by new nursing programs.

In conclusion, it is apparent that there has to be a healthy balance maintained between nurses of every generation. There should not be a gap between generations of nurses, but it is almost impossible to prevent that from happening, at some time. Continuity between the generations is vital, regardless of change.

Somehow, a healthy balance must be maintained between different generations of nurses. If the balance is not maintained, there may be a loss of vision regarding nursing, what it represents and means to nurses, as well how it affects everyone else in various communities around the world.

Modern day aspirations of prospective nurses are always something to consider. What inspires young men and women to become nurses is equally important, in every generation. This reality will not change.

One must ask if nursing in different generations is designed to meet the needs of the nurses or does it just meet the needs of the patients? Is this focus any different now, than it has been in previous generations?

Where is nursing headed in the future with respect to change?

It is apparent that in nursing, there are numerous changes and challenges encountered over the generations. While it is possible to find effective resolution, this is always going to be an ongoing process of bridging the generational gap.