Generational Effects on Nursing Professionalism and Specialty Certification

Background: Professionalism is a belief system in which members have shared competency standards and ethical values. The nursing workforce is composed of three generations, each with their own values and belief systems. Inherent in this is the commitment to life-long learning, and a desire for continuous professional growth and development. This involves taking opportunities for continuing education as well as continuing competency, such as specialty certification. One aspect that has not been studied in relation to specialty certification and professionalism is generational effects. The nursing workforce is comprised of staff from three different generations: Millennials or Gen Y, born 1977 to 1995; Generation X, born 1965 to 1976; and Baby Boomers, born 1946 to 1964. Each come with differences in attitudes, beliefs and work habits.

Study Purpose: the purpose of this study is to determine what generational effects there are on understanding the impact specialty certification has on nursing professionalism, and, does in-class education enhance this understanding in the clinical nurse.

Methods: This descriptive, non-randomized study, used a quantitative approach, with a convenience sample of cardiac telemetry nurses, as the study population. The nurses attended an educational session focused on specialty certification and the impact on nursing professionalism. Each attendee was asked to complete a demographic tool, three validated tools, as well as a program evaluation. The three tools used were the Nursing Professionalism Tool (NPVS-R) Results; The Perceived Value of Certification Tool; and theNPI-16. He theoretical frameworks that guided this study are Martha Rogers’ Science of Unitary Man and Shalom Schwartz’s The Theory of Basic Human values.

Data Analysis: Data collection is complete, and ananlysis is underway. Using SPSS, differences between the three generational groups in their scores on the NPVSR, PVCT and NPI tools will be analyzed, using analysis of variance followed by examination of all pairwise comparisons using Tukey’s procedure. If the assumptions are violated, a Kruskal-Wallis test will be used followed by three two-sample Wilcoxon tests. The multiple tests adjustment here will be by Hochberg’s method. The sample size is 91 nurses. It is anticipated that this will result in 80% power, with a two-sided 0.017 adjusted alpha value, to detect a difference between Gen Y and either of the other two groups of 10.8. This assumes a standard deviation of 12.78. The test between Gen X and baby boomers will be able to detect a difference of 12.1%.

Results: Pending

Impact on Nursing Practice: Currently, the nursing workforce is composed of three generations, each with their own values and belief systems. Based upon the lack of data and science in the literature regarding generational effects on nursing professionalism, more information is needed, as to what interventions might enhance activities that support professionalism, such as specialty certification. It is anticipated that the results of this study will provide information that organizations will be able to use to enhance certification rates and promote the concept of professionalism among the generations of nurses.