Millennials in the workplace

[ktwlpn]

I'm seeing numerous articles regarding the challenges of millennials in the workplace and our LTC is having the common issues managing them. We have talked for YEARS about "nurses eating their young" and "seasoned nurses vs inexperienced nurses " and now we are faced with another challenge. Many companies are catering to the demands of millennials. They enter the workforce and begin making demands for things that those of us have still not received after 20 years or more such as more flexible work hours. I see that every day -young nurses demanding vacations, schedule changes,refusing to work certain units.They never go "above and beyond" but squeak by with meeting the minimum requirements of the job because, after all-it's a 24 hour facility. They are NOT team players, they are self centered, truly believe the world revolves around them, it's the "Me " show...all "Me" all the time.

I continue to try to remain as flexible and adaptable as possible. I have learned all of the computer programs without complaint and continue to teach myself daily so I can be "tech savy",too. I try to be patient and tell myself I don't "own" the nurse's station and can't control the unprofessional behavior of these co-workers.

I fail to understand why these studies I 'm reading are telling me we must adapt of workplace to accommodate them because in a few short years they will be the majority. What happens then when everyone is making these demands? No-one will work weekends, holidays, certain units, etc. I read an article in Forbes that actually recommends "gamify" tasks for this generation who has never know the world without computers and Facebook. Isn't it time they GROW UP and stop playing games? learn how to get along with others?

Before the flaming starts let me first say that NOT ALL millennials have these issues.Just as all baby boomers are not old inflexible farts. needs,too.

[FurBabyMom, MSN, RN]

If this is deliberate it's hilarious.

If not, please continue.

Not deliberate. Apparently the two keys I hit at the same time cause the post to post prematurely. I would find the shortcut without trying.

[calivianya, BSN, RN]

I suppose I am a millennial. I expect to be treated like a person and not an object. I expect to be compensated for my education/experience, once I have enough experience to matter. I expect to be treated like a professional and not a child. I expect help from my coworkers when I need it, and I am usually the first person in the room to help my coworkers when an admission rolls in in return. I count on my coworkers because they know they can count on me. It goes both ways. I believe that you reap what you sow, and you shouldn't expect to reap anything if you don't sow it in the first place.

A lot of people on this forum do not believe in any of these things, but believe in settling for whatever their company offers them and clearly don't believe in standing up for themselves. I don't understand why - experienced nurses are valuable. Why do you let your employers treat you like you are worthless when a good, experienced, hardworking nurse is worth his/her weight in gold?

If another person is willing to settle and I am not, and I end up getting a higher salary or better benefits than that person, I think the only person he has to blame for his inferior situation is himself. Hospitals are not looking out for you; they are looking to get the most out of you for the least amount of compensation. Is it really that important to support them in their goals to bleed you dry for the least amount of money possible? Why not just advocate for yourself, too, if you are unhappy seeing other people get treated well when you are treated poorly?

That sort of self-sacrificing mentality for an impersonal corporation is way beyond my ability to understand. Would I sacrifice my time and energy for my family? Sure. Would I do it for a corporation with millions of dollars in profits, whose CEOs make large six-figure incomes? No way, and I don't understand why anyone else would do it either. Your boss is not your family. Your CEO is not your family. If you are going to stand up for anything, stand up for yourself and your family - not your corporation.

[Cardiac_kbbq_diet]

I am a millenial and yes I see that sometimes we (yes I include myself) could be a little egotistical company loyalty is a concept that is rather quite vague for us. Maybe its because of this tough economic times and all the changes in healthcare. I still believe that there are a huge amount of learning that could be derived from more seasoned nurses and some of us millenials really do care about our jobs and our patients. Do not judge us right away, just because we talk about our hipster coffee shops and the like

[OCNRN63, RN]

As a Millennial, I am not fully shocked that people have this complaint of my generation, but I also do take some offense (probably just being part of the offending generation).

Let's get some things about ME straight:

1. I grew up as the only blue collar family in a very white collar area. My parents tried, and have literally nothing to show for it.

2. I have always had tons of responsibility. At 11, I was doing half the work of running my parents' house (all the laundry, all the cleaning, 80% of the cooking, etc).

3. I have worked since I was 11 (babysitting), moved on to a real part time job in high school. I had THREE part time jobs and was the primary caretaker for my terminally ill grandmother while in college (I went to a 4 year BSN program).

4. I have set goals for myself and challenged myself. I moved cross country by myself (with a dog) for a once in a lifetime job opportunity.

5. I consider myself to be a team player. I come in early, I stay late. I work my day off if staffing really sucks (and I have no other plans), and I have taken call for other coworkers (this has screwed me). I work, I do what is expected of me, I help others, all the things my older coworkers largely refuse to do.

6. Regarding being lazy/calling off work? I have called out three times in two years (four times in three years). One of those times, I had to have emergency surgery. Two of those times were FMLA approved absences related to my father's chronic illness. The last was because of an emergency at my place of residence. I was late ONE day, because I was in a car accident, and I was 15 minutes late.

7. I am the only one paying for anything I have. I pay my rent, my car payment, my car and property insurance, my loans - I am not dependent on anyone but myself. Least of all my parents.

Now let's consider what happens to me:

1. My being a team player, helping others, etc - gets exploited. Many of my older coworkers expect me to stay late because "I don't have kids" and/or work the holidays/take holiday call simply because "I don't have kids." Because I could not possibly ever have plans or desire to do anything or be important to MY family.

2. By and large, it appears from here, that many of the "older" "seasoned" employees, are the ones doing very little to contribute. Maybe though, we just have quite a few of those older employees who do literally nothing, ever.

There are many more things I could say in this area, but I am choosing not to be excessively negative about my job and coworkers - as it could always be worse, and being negative without being able to or trying to do anything does nothing to fix any of the problems.

I'm not sure I'm actually the exception, maybe there is a gradient of work ethic within all generations? Maybe certain places just have large collections of certain types of workers (slackers, super performers etc) and it appears to be one way but isn't always?

Perhaps those "older" nurses are less willing to participate in committees, stay late, etc., is because they have been doing it for years before you came on the scene. Really, I've done more than my share of picking up for younger nurses with kids, pregnancy, etc. So when I got older, yes, I stepped back some from doing extra. I didn't think I had an obligation to run myself into the ground.

​Congratulations on getting off to a good start.

[ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN]

It's no mystery. They just work dirt cheap so they get their way.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

It's no mystery. They just work dirt cheap so they get their way.

I definitely don't work "dirt cheap." In fact, I have walked away from employment offers in which I felt I was being low-balled.

[ProgressiveActivist, BSN, RN]

You are not a new grad or a "millennial."

Your singular anecdotal experience does validate the fact that employers are seeking people who will settle for low wages.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

You are not a new grad or a "millennial."

Your singular anecdotal experience does validate the fact that employers are seeking people who will settle for low wages.

Please use the "Quote" button so we all know which post you are referencing.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Please use the "Quote" button so we all know which post you are referencing.

In all likelihood he's referring to my previous post because I was the last person who replied to his previous post. Then again, proper use of the quote function would have sufficed to clear up any questions with regards to whom the response was directed.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You are not a new grad or a "millennial."

Yes. That's correct! I am not a new grad. This discussion is about "millennials" in the workplace. It is not exactly about new grads.

The Pew Research Center defines "adult Millennials" as those who are 18 to 33 years old, born 1981–1996. I was born in '81, so under many definitions I'd be considered part of this cohort.

Your singular anecdotal experience does validate the fact that employers are seeking people who will settle for low wages.

It probably doesn't, but then again we aren't conducting hardcore research here. People are sharing their anecdotal experiences.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

Kids are taught to be independent thinkers, that they have the "control" that they deserve to be in charge of their own futures, wants, needs and desires.

Just ask any parent who has a child who is taught (by a multitude of outlets) that the goal is to think and do for themselves, but be financially supported by parents.

The reflection of this in the workplace is that when more seasoned nurses are used to a team approach to nursing, being rewarded for years of service and good practice, these are not concepts that are readily learned by a younger generation of nurses.

Seasoned nurses were raised that you work for a reward, that you did what your parents told you to do, period. There was no thinking for one's self. Their was no lively debate--which is a hobby of a number of younger people, but lively debate in my house growing up and...well, not sure I would be typing this now if THAT happend. HAHA

There is a lack of respect, because I believe that a number of younger people are brought up to believe they are equals to adults. Therefore, in the workplace respect, teamwork, and working for what one desires are often something that needs to be taught.

It would be awesome if in fact in orientation, newer, younger nurses are taught that the facility is not their living room, that work and personal are seperate, and they need to create what kind of a nurse in practice they are going to be--with mentoring and support from a nurse who has the experience. And that said experience does not equate cannibalism. That we are more than happy that they are participating, however, trophys for just showing up are not given. And the power of their degree needs to be put to good use--what you have learned, not what you think is wrong with the profession, but what you think is going to make your patient functional. And that self scheduling is not a competative race to get the good grade, but we all take turns.

And all of this needs to be supported by management--who in some facilities are much more interested in the number of warm bodies with the right credentials, as opposed to the culture of the unit.

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

Playing video games is a perfectly valid hobby. Just because I play video games doesn't mean I don't know how to act professionally. Also, I work nights by choice and working weekends doesn't bother me one bit. The extra money is great!