In the current issue (January, 2002) of the AJN there is an editorial about "Generational Tensions Among Nurses." The authors (Dr. Santos and Ms. Cox) briefly report their study which looked at the differences in work ethos between the two generations of nurses.
They state, "We discovered that boomers are both physically and psychologically exhausted. Many have been nurses for years and, frankly, they're tired. Yet they find it unconscionable to leave the unit inadequately unstaffed when they are asked to work on a day off. They wonder why they come in time and again, when their younger coworkers don't seem to have this conflict."
"Boomers are so emotionally drained by the torrent of new nurses coming and going that they are barely able to establish a connection witht them. They realize this instability has made them resistant to nurturing these new recruits in the effort to imporve an environment that is in desparate need of such support."
Regarding Gen-Xers they say, "And generation-X nurses are not unaware of this. Their attitude is that if an organization cannot support them with up-to-date equipment or can't maintain an adequate staff, they ought to think about moving on. A chronically understaffed unit conveys a strong message from the organization's leadership: young nurses are identical cogs in a gear. This personal sense of devaluation is poisonous to a workforce that must remain strong. Generation-Xers feel that if boomers would create an environment supportive of all, there might be fewer recruitment and retention problems."
They call for understanding from both generations of the view points of each other.
Well, I guess I am a tail end boomer who has had feelings ascribed to both camps AND it is notable that the nurse authors are department heads in research and a VP of patient care services, so the study does not (in this brief, editorial report) seem to address AT ALL the role of hospital administrators, lawyers, and insurances that sub-reimburse hospitals in this messy soup. (Is there an element of, "Let's watch you two fight! here?)
But, if you can get your hands on this thought provoking editorial, read it in it's entirety and feel free to comment here. Might also be interesting to post at work.
