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Measuring work engagement in a multigenerational nursing workforce
Author(s) -
Hisel Mariann E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of nursing management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.925
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1365-2834
pISSN - 0966-0429
DOI - 10.1111/jonm.12921
Subject(s) - disengagement theory , workforce , baby boomers , employee engagement , generation x , nursing , aging in the american workforce , nursing management , work engagement , psychology , work (physics) , medicine , gerontology , public relations , political science , demographic economics , mechanical engineering , economics , law , engineering
Aim To examine the level of work engagement among Veteran‐aged, Baby Boomer, Generation X, (Gen X) and Millennial registered nurses. Background Workforce engagement plays a critical role in health care organisations. Organisations with a highly engaged nursing workforce outperform those organisations that have disengaged or non‐engaged employees. Method Quantitative non‐experimental causal comparative study measured multigenerational nurses’ level of work engagement. Results Veteran‐aged nurses were the most engaged, followed by Baby Boomer, Gen X and Millennial. The sample scored highest on dedication and lowest on vigour. Veterans and Baby Boomer nurses were statistically different than Gen X and Millennial nurses in their level of engagement. There were no statistical differences between Veteran and Baby Boomers and between Gen X and Millennials in their level of engagement. Conclusions Gen X and Millennial RNs scored lowest on level of engagement and are statistically similar in their level of disengagement. Implication for Nursing Management Nurse managers must prioritize engagement strategies as a core function of their leadership role. It is essential that leaders cultivate an employee engagement culture across a multigenerational workforce. Nurse leaders should take full advantage of the experience of the retiring generations to mentor and transfer critical knowledge to the Gen X and Millennial nurses.