by W. Diane Van Zwol

Created on: January 13, 2009

Nurses As Mentors Or Models: Bridging The Generational Gap

Regarding nursing changes over the generations, one might ask these questions. What are the major challenges, when it comes to different generations of nursing? Is it ever possible to resolve all of the generational differences amongst nurses?

Realistically, one must argue that any profession has generational encounters, at some point in time. Sometimes, multiple generations may be involved. Effective resolution of generational differences is important.

This is particularly true among nurses, who often find that they are working with other nurses, from different generations of nursing. Many nurses have older nurses in their families, who have influenced them in one way or another. Often, these nurses have served as role models for younger family members. They may even have been a source of inspiration for the younger nurses.

Times change and nursing trends come and go. This can raise issues, concerns or even cause conflicts that may require effective resolution, on various generational levels.

In every generation of nursing, there has always been a wide diversity of training for nurses. There are also continual transitions in medicine and medical practice to contend with. Add to that, the ongoing changes that involve the essential principles of nursing care versus the basics of nursing practice. Even nurses may begin to wonder at times, which generation is correct, with regard to theory and practice and what is really more preferable.

At times, there can be direct confrontation between the different generations of nurses. This may involve ongoing ethical concerns regarding practice and principle, hospital or medical policy, as well as differing standards of professional conduct and various levels of professionalism.

In every generation, there can be a shift in terms of economic priorities, with regard to nursing. The economy always affects the financial status of nurses. One must ask if nurses really have to be swayed by the economy of a region, country or by the global economy.

Globally, the status of patients and their nursing care, is affected also. Quality nursing care should always be a major priority in every generation, regardless of the state of a country's economy.

Nurses from every generation, may prefer to see some degree of permanency in nursing theory and practice, but non-permanency is one reality that they have to contend with, on a daily basis. Nurses have to cope with ongoing transitions in

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• Next Page >>