Unleashing the Power of a Four-Generation (4-G) Workforce

Friday, March 13, 2009

School of Nursing Auditorium (G013), Kansas University Medical Center, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Kan.

Sponsored by KU HealthPartners, Inc. and the University of Kansas School of Nursing.

Overview

Today’s complex healthcare environment presents challenges at every turn. One in particular is the four-generation (4-G) workforce–with a fifth generation on its way. The four generations–matures, baby boomers, Gen X and Gen Y–have different experiences, values, ideas, attitudes, motivations, habits, expectations, ways of getting things done and communicating. These generational differences affect how to build teams, recruit, gain commitment, improve productivity and manage change. Managers, team leaders and team members continually face issues resulting from communication difficulties among these generations. In this session, Dr. Karen Cox and Dr. Susan R. Lacey will explore this developing phenomenon and share ways to unleash the power of a 4-G workforce.

For eight years, Drs. Cox and Lacey have been working with regional and national organizations to help them assess their work environments. They currently manage a database of over 8,000 staff nurse responses using the Individual Workload Perception Scale-Revised (IWPS-R) developed by Dr. Cox. This work has resulted in 10 published research studies that explicate optimal work environments. Dr. Lacey's work as the director of the Bi-State Nursing Workforce Innovation Center will focus on helping organizations measurably improve the work environment of staff nurses as well as teach staff nurses how to conduct process improvements at the point of care for new CMS "never" events and NDNQI nurse-sensitive outcomes. Dr. Cox, associate director, and Dr. Lacey, director of the Center, are dedicated to creating a new narrative with consumers in our region and beyond. Nurses impact the national quality agenda—one nurse, one system at a time.

Target Audience

This program is designed for healthcare professionals who want to influence quality healthcare delivery and systems improvements, including hospitals, social services, ambulatory care, and community and business organizations.

Objectives

At the completion of this program, participants should be able to:

Discuss the characteristics of current workforce generations.
Compare and contrast the four generations in the workforce today.
Propose new strategies for creating an organization culture that fits all generations.

Exhibits

Commercial vendors are invited to exhibit at this meeting. Limited exhibit space will be available. Call Mary Gambino at 913-588-1695 or e-mail mgambino@kumc.edu for an application or more information.