Nurse competence between three generational nurse cohorts: A cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Workforce Studies
• Organizational Psychology

Background:

• Generational differences impact workplace dynamics and professional factors among nurses.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for maintaining nursing workforce competence.
• Previous research highlights variations in work-related factors across nurse cohorts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare nurse competence levels across three distinct generational cohorts.
• To identify factors influencing competence development within the nursing workforce.
• To inform strategies for enhancing nurse competence and patient care quality.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 2052 nurses at a Finnish university hospital.
• Data collected using the Nurse Competence Scale.
• Statistical analysis to identify significant differences between generational cohorts.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in nurse competence were observed between generational cohorts.
• Work experience positively correlated with competence; older cohorts with more experience scored higher.
• Nurses demonstrated highest competence in patient care, professional maintenance, and ethical care, but were weakest in practice development and evidence-based knowledge utilization.

Conclusions:

• Generational cohort and work experience are significant factors in nurse competence.
• Targeted teaching and coaching interventions are required for different nurse generations.
• Addressing competence gaps, particularly in evidence-based practice, is essential for high-quality patient care.