Abstract :

Now Gen Z is entering the nursing programs. It is known that communication is essential in the nursing profession, and it is the foundation of the relationship between the nurse and patient The study aimed to determine the communication skills of Gen Z nursing students in establishing nurse-patient relationships. The study used a descriptive, cross-sectional research design. The participants of the study were five hundred seventy (N = 570) Gen Z nursing students from HEIs in the province of Batangas, Philippines, and one hundred twenty-eight (N = 128) clinical instructors directly supervising them during their RLEs. A two-part researcher-structured questionnaire was the tool for data collection. The tool consisted of 10 critical indicators for determining the communication skills of nursing students, such as active listening, compassion, cultural awareness, nonverbal communication, patient education, personal connection, presentation skills, trust, verbal communication, and written communication skills, and four standards of nurse-patient relationships, indicated in the Nurses Association of New Brunswick (2020). Mean and independent t-test were used for data analysis. Results revealed that Gen Z excels at navigating digital technology, accepts individual differences, and has a sense of independence. Gen Z are respectful, transparent, diverse, and collaborative future healthcare practitioners. Gen Z nursing students asserted possessing very effective communication skills, whereas their clinical instructors rated them as only effective in establishing nurse-patient relationships. There were discernible variations in the assessments of communication skills and the effectiveness of establishing nurse-patient relationships between Gen Z nursing students and their clinical instructors. The study recommended that nursing programs should capitalize on Gen Z strengths by integrating technology-enhanced tools and platforms, optimize the achievement of learning outcomes by aligning clinical teaching strategies with the distinct learning styles of Gen Z nursing students, and incorporate training programs focused on improving advocacy skills, recognizing boundaries, and terminating nurse-patient relationships.

---

Keywords :

Communication Skills, Generation Z (GenZ), Nurse-Patient Relationships, Nursing, Nursing students

---

References :

1. Baresford Research. Age Range by Generation. 2023 Sep 22. Available from: https://www.beresfordresearch.com/age-range-by-generation/
2. Cahiles-Magkilat B. Pinoy millennials, GenZs more optimistic than global peers – study. Manila Bulletin. 2022 Jul 5. Available from: https://mb.com.ph/2022/07/05/pinoy-millennials-genzs-more-optimistic-than-global-peers-study/
3. Dimock M. Defining generations: Where millennials end and generation z begins. Pew Research Center. 2019 Jan 17. Available from: https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2019/01/17/where-millennials-end-and-generation-z-begins/
4. Eldridge A. Generation Z. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2023 Sep 25. Available from:  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Generation-Z
5. Kasasa. Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z, and Gen A explained. 2021 Jul 6. Available from: https://offer.kasasa.com/exchange/articles/generations/gen-x-gen-y-gen-#:~:text=Gen%20Z%3A%20Gen%20Z%20is,million%20people%20in%20the%20U.S
6. LeDuc D. Who is Generation Z. The Pew Charitable Trusts. 2019 May 20. Available from: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/trust/archive/spring-2019/who-is-generation-z
7. Zay L. The Gen Z Nurse: Meet the youngest generation of nurses. The Elm. 2021 Dec 2. Available from: https://elm.umaryland.edu/elm-stories/Elm-Stories-Content/12221-Gen-Z-Nurse-.php
8. Ajmain T. Impacts and effective communication on generation Z in industrial revolution 4.0 era. JETAL: Journal of English Teaching & Applied Linguistics. 2020;2(1):37–42. doi:10.36655/jetal.v2i1.204.
9. Dagostino A. Here is how gen Z is changing the way we communicate. Forbes. 2021 Aug 9. Available from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2021/08/09/here-is-how-gen-z-is-changing-the-way-we-communicate/?sh=3e39726a1350
10. Chicca J, Shellenbarger T. Connecting with generation Z: Approaches in nursing education. Teach Learn Nurs. 2018;13(3):180–4. doi:10.1016/j.teln.2018.03.008
11. Monteiro I. Communication skills in nursing: Definition and examples. Indeed. 2023 Jan 9. Available from: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/communication-skills-in-nursing
12. Sater-Wee D. The importance of nursing communication skills. Am Inst Altern Med. 2023 Jan 31. Available from: https://www.aiam.edu/nursing/communication-skills-for-nurses/
13. Smith H. Importance of effective communication skills in nursing practice. Nurses Group. 2023 May 15. Available from: https://nursesgroup.co.uk/nursing-communication-skills
14. University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. The importance of effective communication in nursing. 2020. Available from: https://www.usa.edu/blog/communication-in-nursing/#:~:text=A%20report%20by%20the%20Joint,true%20extent%20of%20 their%20symptoms.
15. Lee YJ, Lee H, Choi EH. Moderating role of communication competence in the association between professionalism and job satisfaction in Korean millennial and generation Z nurses: A cross-sectional study. Healthcare. 2023;11(18):2547. doi:10.3390/healthcare11182547
16. Sherman R. Helping nurses with communication skills. 2023. Available from: https://emergingrnleader.com/helping-nurses-with-communication-skills/
17. Serafin L, Danilewicz D, Chyla P, Czarkowska-Pączek B. What is the most needed competence for newly graduated generation z nurses? Focus groups study. Nurse Educ Today. 2020;94:104583. doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2020.104583
18. Stelma E. How to communicate with gen Z. Campus Rec. 2022 Nov 15. Available from: https://campusrecmag.com/how-to-communicate-with-gen-z/
19. Kwame A, Petrucka PM. A literature-based study of patient-centered care and communication in nurse-patient interactions: Barriers, facilitators, and the way forward. BMC Nurs. 2021;20:158. doi:10.1186/s12912-021-00684-2
20. Pratt H, Moroney T, Middleton R. The influence of engaging authentically on nurse–patient relationships: A scoping review. Nurs Inq. 2021;28(2). doi:10.1111/nin.12388
21. Fakhr-Movahedi A, Rahnavard Z, Salsali M, Negarandeh R. Exploring nurse’s communicative role in nurse-patient relations: A qualitative study. J Caring Sci. 2016;5(4):267–76. doi:10.15171/jcs.2016.028
22. National Council of State Boards of Nursing. A nurse’s guide to professional boundaries. 2018. Available from: https://www.ncsbn.org/public-files/ProfessionalBoundaries_Complete.pdf
23. Allande-Cussó R, Fernández-García E, Porcel-Gálvez AM. Defining and characterising the nurse-patient relationship: A concept analysis. Nurs Ethics. 2022;29(2):462–84. doi:10.1177/09697330211046651.
24. Nurses Association of New Brunswick. Standards for the Nurse-Client Relationship. 2020. Available from: https://www.nanb.nb.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/NANB-StandardsNurseClientRelation-Dec20-E.pdf
25. Bacon C. Nursing professor blends the intergenerational workforce. 2023. Available from: https://www.uncg.edu/campus-weekly/nursing-professor-researches-intergenerational-workforce/
26. Chicca J, Shellenbarger T. A new generation of nurses is here. Am Nurse. 2019. Available from: https://www.myamericannurse.com/new-generation-nurses/
27. Dobrowolski Z, Drozdowski G, Panait M. Understanding the impact of generation Z on risk management-a preliminary view on values, competencies, and ethics of the generation Z in public administration. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(7):3868. doi:10.3390/ijerph19073868
28. Mahapatra GP, Bhullar N, Gupta P. Gen Z: An emerging phenomenon. NHRD Network J. 2022;15(2):246–56. doi:10.1177/26314541221077137
29. McCann WorldGroup. The truth about gen Z.2021. Available from: https://truthaboutgenz.mccannworldgroup.com/p/1
30. Schaller L. How 4 powerful generations of nurses are changing lives. ATI. 2019 Aug 2. Available from: https://atitesting.com/educator/blog/knowledge/2019/08/02/how-4-powerful-generations-of-nurses-are-changing-lives
31. Maravilla SN. Perceived work values and work ethics of gen Z nursing graduates. J Soc Health. 2021;4(2):62–73. Available from: https://socialhealthjournal.ust.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/06-MARAVILLA.pdf
32. Jha M. Communicating with generation Z in the workplace. ContactMonkey. 2020 Mar 23. Available from: https://www.contactmonkey.com/blog/gen-z-employees
33. Alić M, Sopić L. Privacy paradox and generation Z. In: 2023 46th MIPRO ICT and Electronics Convention (MIPRO); 2023 May 22-26; Opatija, Croatia. p. 1532–1537. doi:10.23919/MIPRO57284.2023.10159918.
34. Raslie H. Gen Y and gen Z communication style. Stud Appl Econ. 2021;39(1). doi:10.25115/eea.v39i1.4268
35. Bredbenner J. Generation Z: A study of its workplace communication behaviors and future preferences [Doctoral dissertation]. Wichita State University; 2020. Available from: https://soar.wichita.edu/items/91b55d8b-4e5f-4fa2-9dc4-d5618eb33c0e
36. Colón K. Gen Z and the modern workplace: A complex dance of connection and autonomy. Available from: https://www.allsteeloffice.com/gen-z-and-modern-workplace
37. Diz MR. Gen Z and millennials in the workplace: How are leaders adapting to their short attention span and how will they keep them from leaving a qualitative study. FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2021. Available from: https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/4800
38. Rothman D. A tsunami of learners called generation Z. 2016. Available from: http://www.mdle.net/JoumaFA_Tsunami_of_Learners_Called_Generation_Z.pdf
39. Fong J, Lucchi M, Trench B, Lope N, McDermott P. An Insider’s Guide to Generation Z and Higher education 2019 (4th ed). University Professional and Continuing Education; 2019. Available from: https://upcea.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Generation-Z-eBook-Version-4.pdf
40. Fromm J, Hanna B, Nicholson C, Vodicka G, Huf S, Harper J, Faith K. Getting to know Gen-Z: How the pivotal generation is different than Millennials. Barkley, Inc. and FutureCast, LLC; 2017 Jan. Available from: https://millennialmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/FutureCast_The-Pivotal-Generation-7.pdf
41. Cozett AJ. Leading with kindness and strength: Earning respect in the gen Z era. SD Media. 2023 Oct 5. Available from: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/leading-kindness-strength-earning-respect-gen-z-era-cozett#:~:text=Among%20their%20most%20prominent%20beliefs,earned%20through%20kindness%20and%20strength.&text=Generation%20Z%2C%20born%20roughly%20between,it%20means%20to%20lead%20effectively
42. Hampton DC, Keys Y. Generation Z students: Will they change our nursing classroom? J Nurs Educ Pract. 2017;7(4):111–5. doi:10.5430/jnep.v7n4p111
43. Cao H, Song Y, Wu Y, Du Y, He X, Chen Y, Wang Q, Yang H. What is nursing professionalism? A concept analysis. BMC Nurs. 2023;22:34. doi:10.1186/s12912-022-01161-0
44. Karimi Z, Ashktorab T, Mohammadi E, Abedi HA. Using the hidden curriculum to teach professionalism in nursing students. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014;16(3):e15532. doi:10.5812/ircmj.15532
45. Thawabieh HM. A comparison between students’ self-assessment and teachers’ assessment. J Curric Teach. 2017;6(1). doi:10.5430/jct.v6n1p14
46. Csernoch M, Piroska B. Teachers’ assessment and students’ self-assessment on the students’ spreadsheet knowledge. Edulearn: Barcelona. 2013. Available fromhttps://www.researchgate.net/publication/279773258_TEACHERS’_ASSESSMENT_AND_STUDENTS’_SELF-ASSESSMENT_ON_THE_STUDENTS’_SPREADSHEET_KNOWLEDGE
47. Karnilowicz W. A comparison of self-assessment and tutor assessment of undergraduate psychology students. Soc Behav Pers. 2012;40(4):591–604. doi:10.2224/sbp.2012.40.4.591