Generational diversity: what nurse managers need to know

Aim This article presents a discussion of generational differences and their impact on the nursing workforce and how this impact affects the work environment. Background The global nursing workforce represents four generations of nurses. This generational diversity frames attitudes, beliefs, work habits and expectations associated with the role of the nurse in the provision of care and in the way the nurse manages their day‐to‐day activities. Data sources An electronic search of MEDLINE , PubMed and Cinahl databases was performed using the words generational diversity, nurse managers and workforce. The search was limited to 2000–2012. Discussion Generational differences present challenges to contemporary nurse managers working in a healthcare environment which is complex and dynamic, in terms of managing nurses who think and behave in a different way because of disparate core personal and generational values, namely, the three Cs of communication, commitment and compensation. Implications for nursing An acceptance of generational diversity in the workplace allows a richer scope for practice as the experiences and knowledge of each generation in the nursing environment creates an environment of acceptance and harmony facilitating retention of nurses. Conclusion Acknowledgement of generational characteristics provides the nurse manager with strategies which focus on mentoring and motivation; communication, the increased use of technology and the ethics of nursing, to bridge the gap between generations of nurses and to increase nursing workforce cohesion.