Best Strategies for Reaching Millennial Students

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Dec 30, 2006

:balloons:
Hi, I am full time faculty at an accelerated nursing program. I was adjunct for ten years with special needs peds (and through age 26). I love teaching, however having practiced for more than 30 years, I am 'old school' when it comes to teaching. Yet my nursing students are generation Y, which seems to be my greatest challenge yet! I know they are great at multi-tasking. I want to know what other 'gifts' they have, or how I can better reach them.
Thanks!

Generation Y or Millennials: Those born between 1980 and 2000, the 70 million-plus offspring of Boomer parents, or about a quarter of all Americans

General characteristics

Highly tolerant, diverse - do not like racism or any form of discrimination

Expect most things to be fast or convenient (the "24/7" generation) - impatient; want instant feedback in terms of grades ("Clickers" in the classroom are a great tool)

Proficient in use of modern technology (highly literate in use of computers, video games, cell phones, PDAs, i pods, MP 3 players, email, instant/ text messaging, etc) - incorporate all forms of technology (simulators, Internet-enhancement) in teaching; use PDA's on clinical floor

Generally positive and upbeat

Used to innovation and collaboration

Motivated and goal-oriented - value education

Variety of learning styles and level of skills - like graphics

Thrive on variety, change, and stimulation - bored easily

Based in real-world tasks and strategies - education must be meaningful and relevant

Like unvarnished truth, humor - instructor must be "real," credible

Holistic - Seek balance between school and life, work and life (will be very resistant to the common suggestion that "Nursing school must be the most important thing in your life right now")

Interested in service - volunteerism is in vogue (incorporate some sort of service-learning in nursing curriculum)

Big spenders, soplisticated tastes - at risk for accumulating mountains of credit-card debt

Merrill Associates » Call Them Gen Y or Millennials: They Deserve Our Attention

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http://www.mediamanagementcenter.org/updates/data/geny--products.pps

http://www.lieberandassociates.com/CADMEF/Presentations/The%20Gen%20Y%20Factor.ppt

Hope this helps, and welcome to the site! :welcome:

lovingpecola · Dec 31, 2006

I agree with some of the above, but also, as a nursing student who just finished my first semester, I value and appreciate consistency. After trying so hard to perfect study habits and such, it is very frustrating when professors change what they expect from you! I agree that learning to change is difficult for most people, and nurses must be able to adapt, but the first semester of nursing school is critical for learning how to study differently than you ever have, and test consistency is greatly appreciated!

Also, I never got tired of my professor asking "Does everyone understand?" And actually waiting for a moment before moving on! Of course there were times when, even after a second explanation, someone didn't get it and we had to move on, but at least she explained one extra time if we needed it. And sometimes all it took was that one extra time to get us all on the same page.

I appreciated the anecdotes, but only if they were timely (ie: short) and relevant!

I appreciated going over a few (ie: 5-10) practice NCLEX questions after most topics (ie Neuro) to have her explain the thought process of arriving at the correct answer.

I appreciated case studies to help me apply the textbook knowledge to a real situation.

I appreciate not being treated like I belong to some over-generalized generation ...I guess I belong to Generation Y/Millenials (barely) but I am also a grown woman who has been married for 6 years (and counting) and absolutely love it when professors talk to me like the adult that I am.

AND, I appreciate you taking the time ask this question! >

LP