Millennial nurses have the following problems that might be true
There have been so many complaints across the globe about millennial nurses and their attitudes towards their jobs. Millennials are individuals who were born between 1981 and 1996-which means they are between ages, 23 to 38, in 2019. 1982 In this write-up, I will talk about some of these concerns and give you my take.
Millennial nurses are lazy
Millennial nurses (MN) are not so happy when the older generation of nurses’ label them as lazy, and always on their phones at work. Could this be further from the truth? We now live in a world of technology where people spend more time on their phones than with the people that matter in their lives. The average individual spends about 30-6 hours a day on their phone every day. The older generation nurses report that MNs love to sit at the desk and only see their patients during medication administration. Such nurses have been dubbed “Desktop Nurses.” We’re all aware that a lot of people spend more time on their phones, but there have not been any findings that show a decline in productivity of MNs in clinical areas. While I do not advocate that nurses use their phones on the unit, I do think that millennials are getting a bad rep for having been born in a generation that is highly influenced by technology.
MNs are always looking for new jobs and they’re not interested in growing in their careers.
True or false? MNs are the most adventurous in the workplace. They are always looking for more. They don’t seem to be satisfied with what they have. According to a 2017 survey on MNs, more than 36% MNs stated their intentions to move into leadership roles. Maybe the scarcity of MNs in leadership positions might be because these positions have already been occupied by baby boomers or their employers are not encouraging them to take on leadership responsibilities. MNs should be given the chance to grow in their careers. They should be given the green light that there are possibilities for growth in their respective settings. This, to me, would increase the retention rates of MNs, especially in clinical nursing.
Most millennials are not interested in furthering their careers; they might be switching careers any time soon.
MNs do not seem to be focused on getting more education. A lot of them just want to get into careers that would allow them to travel places and do less work. They are not interested in pursuing a master’s degree or even a doctorate or Phd. A 2017 survey of nurses showed that 39% of millennials stated that they intend to go for a Master of Science in Nursing degree and 11% stated that they might pursue a PhD in nursing. Baby boomers are less likely to switch careers, unlike millennials. The advent of technology has opened so many opportunities and career options for everyone. MNs are just responding to the current world we live in-a place of greater opportunities for everyone.
This “article” is somewhat confusing. I am not sure if it is it is poorly written or poorly edited. Too bad because I think the author has some interesting points to make.
The category of article is mostly a misnomer on this site. Frequently what I read here is a short essay or opinion piece.
I gotta say this, all kidding aside I love my millennial coworkers. The are so at ease with tech. My generation "adopted" technology as it was developed, like learning a second language. I remember when having a pager was the Schizz, it went off with the number of someone who wanted to talk to you and all you had to do was find a pay phone and BAM almost instant communication ? .
Millennials were born into technology like it's their natal language. I learn new things all the time about my smarter-than-me-phone from my cube mates.
I gotta say this, all kidding aside I love my millennial coworkers. The are so at ease with tech. My generation "adopted" technology as it was developed, like learning a second language. I remember when having a pager was the Schizz, it went off with the number of someone who wanted to talk to you and all you had to do was find a pay phone and BAM almost instant communication ? .
Millennials were born into technology like it's their natal language. I learn new things all the time about my smarter-than-me-phone from my cube mates.
Its true, we grew up with it but we still didnt rely on it. We still played outside. We didnt have ipads to take home and do homework. We still physically held books to read. Im thankful for that. I hated doing online classes (rarely did them) and I hate reading on a tablet. Im thankful to have been born a millennial and not in the generations after.
Lol... as one of the youngest boomers (1963) I hear that a lot from my teenage twins. They think it's offensive... I just laugh. They're only 14, so Gen Z (the generation after millenials).
I have always enjoyed working with nurses of all generations - we can learn from each other. Each generation has its strengths (we have the experience, they have the most up-to-date education/best practice info).
As for my (smart)phone - although I don't use it at work, try to separate me from it in my free time!
Why are people so easily offended today? I thought that was a youngster thing. “WAH I NEED MY SAFE SPACE!”
? Good god
Because people have gotten money and ruined people off being a victim. It's much easier and get a response instead of you know..actually fixing things.
Ok well I am not biting. I have worked with people who are pre-boomer (one lady still is working part time), and others who are Gen Y. I am GenZ-boomer myself. (we don't exist much as a demographic). Yep---Right there in the middle. I admire a great many of my Gen Y coworkers. They appear to know what they want and are not afraid to go for it. Their loyalty is very hard-won.
They don't tend to collect useless material goods, but would rather live experiences than have "stuff". I know many who won't want mom/dad's old furniture, knick-knacks, and china. It's useless to them, except to sell and travel to other places and meet new people. Awesome. Life is too short for cheapening it with working too hard to please others and not simply have phenomenal life experiences.
I wish I had been more like that when I was younger. It took a long time to understand my worth and to place boundaries on unhealthy behaviors toward me. And I finally understand life is to be lived, not to be forced to live up to others' desires for them.
The Gen Y people I work with are not lazy, no. But they won't kill themselves for corporate masters who would use them up and discard them quickly when their value is perceived as less than expected.
This younger generation understands these things better, sooner. I raised my own kids to be this way. I love new, fresh ideas and hearing how they think. They way they grew up, the way they experience the world, is so different than what I know. Try LISTENING and UNDERSTANDING people with whom you have not much in common. It's fascinating.
Older boomer here and I agree with you; younger people are less willing to be oppressed at work and that is a healthy choice. There is just no downside to refusing to be burnt out shells by the time they get home. I see them living in smaller dwellings and eschewing putting on shows. But I am from the Midwest where the women are stronger and the children are all above average:)
Jedrnurse, BSN, RN
2,776 Posts
The category of article is mostly a misnomer on this site. Frequently what I read here is a short essay or opinion piece.