Generational considerations in providing critical care education.

With the current and predicted nursing shortage, much emphasis is placed on recruitment and retention. With an aging workforce, we must recruit, educate, and retain nurses from many different generations. As leaders and educators, we must be aware of generational differences and work with staff to appreciate potential preferences in communication, approach to learning and motivational factors. We are aware that over the next 15 years, many experienced nurses will retire. We must do all we can to recruit and retain nurses from all generations in order to provide a workforce able to meet the needs of our patients and families. Generational preferences should be considered when developing nursing education and in welcoming and accepting new staff into the culture of the nursing unit.