Generational differences in registered nurse turnover

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Workforce Research
• Nursing Management
• Generational Studies in Healthcare

Background:

• The United States faces a persistent nursing workforce shortage, impacting healthcare access, quality, and safety.
• Understanding turnover trends among registered nurses (RNs) across different generations is crucial for addressing this shortage.
• Previous research has not clearly delineated generational differences in RN turnover motivations and tenure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the primary reasons for registered nurse turnover segmented by generational cohort: Veterans, Baby Boomers, and GenXMs.
• To compare the duration of employment in the first five nursing positions across these generational cohorts.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of registered nurse turnover data categorized by generational cohort (Veterans, Baby Boomers, GenXMs).
• Comparison of employment lengths in the initial five nursing roles across identified generational groups.

Main Results:

• All three generational cohorts reported similar primary reasons for leaving nursing positions: relocation, career advancement, and personal/family factors.
• Significant generational differences were observed in the length of employment in nursing positions, excluding the first role.
• GenXMs exhibited notably shorter employment durations in their second through fifth nursing positions compared to other cohorts.

Conclusions:

• While motivations for leaving are consistent across generations, tenure in nursing roles shows significant generational variance.
• The decreasing length of employment observed in Baby Boomers and GenXMs warrants further investigation and strategic workforce planning.
• Further research is needed to understand the factors contributing to shorter tenures among GenXMs in subsequent nursing positions.