Work values and communication styles among Generation X, Y, and Z nurses: A cross‐sectional study

• Published in: International nursing review Vol. 71; no. 1; pp. 115 - 121
• Main Authors: So Hee, Lee, Yeojin, Yi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Communication; generation; Generation X; Generation Z; Generational differences; intergenerational; Interpersonal communication; Millennials; multigeneration; Nurses; Nursing; value; Work values; generation; multigeneration; nurses; value; intergenerational; Communication
• ISSN: 0020-8132; 1466-7657
• DOI: 10.1111/inr.12863

Aim To compare and contrast nurses' work values and communication styles across Generation X, Y, and Z. Background Intergenerational differences in the work values of nurses are well known, but the commonalities remain largely uninvestigated. It is also unclear if there are intergenerational differences and commonalities in the rhetorical communication style of nurses. Methods This study used a cross‐sectional research design. Participants were 243 nurses of Generation X (n = 78), Y (n = 86), and Z (n = 79) working at a general hospital in Korea. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data from September to October 2019. The differences in work values and communication types were measured and analyzed using the χ2 test. Findings The work values of Generation X differed from those of Generation Y and Z, who preferred extrinsic work values. There was no significant intergenerational difference in communication types, although Generation X and Y were similar to each other in communication types and different from Generation Z. Conclusion Although the work values of the three generations are different, their communication styles are similar so that they may reduce the generational gap through communication. In particular, Generation Y nurses prefer extrinsic work values and share some work values with Generation Z; however, the dominant communication type of Generation Y is similar to Generation X, not Z. Therefore, Generation Y could play a key role in connecting Generation X with Z during communication. Implications for nursing policy Nursing organizations should delegate the authority to Generation Y so that Y may have a voice in the nursing group as the mediator between X and Z.