Motivations and Expectations of Generation Z Nursing Students and Nursing Staff: A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25159/2520-5293/18815Keywords:
Generation Z nurses, work motivation, professional expectations, nursing students, workforce retention, intergenerational differences, systematic reviewAbstract
Background: Generation Z (Gen Z) nurses have begun entering the workforce. Generational differences among nurses can shape their work expectations and motivations. To date, little is known about the motivations and expectations of Gen Z nurses and nursing students. Understanding these factors can help mitigate nurses’ intention to leave the profession for long-term retention.
Aim: This systematic review aimed to explore the motivations and expectations of Gen Z nurses and nursing students.
Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched for eligible studies. Primary studies using samples of Gen Z nurses or nursing students, exploring their work expectations or motivations, and published in English in peer-reviewed journals were considered eligible. The findings from quantitative studies were qualitised and assembled with findings from qualitative studies, upon which a thematic analysis was conducted.
Results: Nine studies, comprising two qualitative studies (22.22%) and seven descriptive cross-sectional studies (77.78%), were eligible for inclusion in this review. The total sample size in all nine studies was 1 985, of which 1 116 (56.22%) were Gen Z nurses and students. The thematic analysis revealed four themes: intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, job characteristics, availability of empowerment opportunities, and satisfaction and growth.
Conclusion: The findings of this review regarding the work motivations and expectations of Gen Z nurses and nursing students can be used to inform practice and policy regarding strategies that can be implemented for their long-term retention in the workforce.
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