Gen Z, anyone born from about 1997 to 2012, is poised to become the largest and most diverse generation in the nursing workforce. This generation brings unique values, perspectives, and experiences to the profession. Supporting Gen Z nurses in the workplace is essential to ensure job satisfaction, productivity, and overall well-being.

Gen Z nurses have grown up in a world of rapid technological advancements and globalization. They are tech-savvy, value work-life balance, and seek meaningful work that aligns with their personal values. They are also the most racially and ethnically diverse generation in the United States, with 48% identifying as non-white, according to the Pew Research Center.

We’ll explore six practical tips that UbiSim, the leading immersive nursing virtual reality software platform, can help attract, engage, and retain the best talent.

Tips for Supporting Gen Z Nurses

1. Support Work-Life Balance

A 2023 study found that “Generation Z work to live with greater emphasis on work-life balance.” They value their personal time, hobbies, and relationships outside of work and want to ensure that they have time to pursue these activities. The healthcare profession can be demanding and stressful, leading to burnout and negatively impacting physical and mental health. By prioritizing work-life balance, Gen Z nurses can better manage stress levels, maintain a positive work attitude, and prevent burnout.

UbiSim's simulation exercises can be tailored to address specific self-care needs of nursing students, such as managing compassion fatigue and burnout. By practicing self-care techniques in a simulated environment, nursing students can develop the skills and habits needed to care for themselves while providing high-quality patient care.

2. Provide Opportunities for Learning and Growth

Generation Z nurses are highly motivated to learn and grow in their careers. This allows them to advance, develop new skills, and stay current with industry trends. This generation of nurses values personal and professional growth and seeks career paths that offer development opportunities. Employers can attract and retain Gen Z nurses and create a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

UbiSim's immersive nursing VR software offers a realistic and safe environment for nurses to practice and develop their clinical reasoning, decision-making, and communication skills. By using UbiSim's pre-built clinical scenarios and having instructors customize them to fit students’ needs, nurses can learn new skills and take on new responsibilities in a controlled, standardized, and immersive clinical setting.

3. Provide Frequent & Helpful Feedback

Gen Z has grown up with constant feedback from social media, video games, and other digital platforms. As a result, they are accustomed to receiving immediate feedback and can become discouraged without it. Providing regular feedback helps Gen Z nurses understand their strengths and weaknesses, identify areas for improvement, and make necessary changes to their practice.

UbiSim’s VR simulation platform provides real-time feedback and evaluation, enabling nurses to learn their strengths and identify areas for improvement.

4. Embrace Technology

Generation Z nurses are digital natives who have grown up with technology and are comfortable using it personally and professionally. In nursing, electronic health records (EHRs) have become increasingly prevalent in healthcare, and nurses who are comfortable using these systems can document patient information more accurately and efficiently. 

UbiSim's immersive nursing VR software is an example of technology that can help nurses develop and practice their skills.

5. Offer mentorship and support

Offering mentorship and support to Gen Z nurses is important because it helps them navigate their careers, develop new skills, and build meaningful connections with experienced professionals. 

UbiSim enables you to run a simulation with a faculty facilitator who triggers prompts in each simulation. This collaboration allows mentorship and support as the learner navigates the simulation.

6. Foster a Collaborative Work Environment

Generation Z nurses value teamwork and collaboration and thrive in environments where they can work closely with their colleagues. A 2022 study found that: “Nursing collaboration is a key component of promoting a good work environment in a healthcare organization, as it helps to support acceptable workloads and levels of complexity, which leads to improved nurses’ quality of life and job satisfaction.”

Using UbiSim's nurse training VR simulation software as a group activity in multiplayer mode can help nurse learners build teamwork and promotes a culture of collaboration and support among nursing staff. 

Conclusion

Supporting Gen Z nurses in the workplace is essential to ensure job satisfaction, productivity, and overall well-being. To attract, engage, and retain the best talent, employers must prioritize work-life balance, provide opportunities for learning and growth, offer mentorship and support, embrace technology, and foster a collaborative work environment.

UbiSim's immersive nursing virtual reality simulation software platform can help employers and learning institutions support the growth and development of Gen Z nurses. 

Get a demo of UbiSim today!

‍