From bewildering slang and changing fashion to differing approaches to patient care, the nursing generational gap can often be tough to navigate.
Christine A. Chizek, MEd, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN, CEN, TCRN, CPEN
“We assign labels to people,” said Christine A. Chizek, MEd, BSN, RN, NPD-BC, CCRN, CEN, TCRN, CPEN, market director of clinical professional development for HCA South Texas. “The older generation thinks the younger isn’t so smart, and the younger generation says the same about the older.”
Yet building a multigenerational team isn’t just filled with challenges. It also provides an opportunity for nurses of all ages to not only learn from one another but to discover just how much they truly have in common.
Bridging the Gap
Chizek will dive into this topic during her Emergency Nursing 2025 session, “Leading Multigenerational Teams: How to Survive and Thrive,” today from 8-8:45 a.m. Through interactive activities, humor, personal stories and lots of empathy, the presentation will explore generational differences and unconscious bias from five generations of nurses.
Attendees will also get practical advice and strategies for how to narrow generational gaps in understanding between co-workers and build meaningful relationships, as well as learn techniques for effectively leading multigenerational teams.
Chizek interviewed nurses from five generations — Generation Z, Millennial, Generation X, Baby Boomer and the Silent Generation — to explore their different experiences, attitudes and approaches to the workplace. She believes understanding these differences can help leaders better respond to the needs and preferences of their multigenerational teams.
For instance, most Baby Boomers don’t expect professional feedback more than once a year, while younger generations look for it constantly, always wanting to know how they can improve and what they’re doing well.
Perceptions about leadership, learning and communication styles also vary among generations. Younger generations often view the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers as more controlling and even intimidating when it comes to leadership. Conversely, older generations sometimes see Gen Z nurses as being more afraid to try and learn new things.
Despite the differences, the nurses Chizek interviewed also had a lot in common. For instance, she found they want opportunities to learn, understand the value of asking questions, and want to take the very best care of patients.
By understanding differences, bridging gaps, ensuring open communication and taking advantage of commonalities, Chizek contends that multigenerational teams can not only survive but thrive.
“We underestimate the commonalities of each generation,” she said. “Every single one of us also wants a bright future, regardless of our age.”