Generation Z Workplace Expectations: Nursing Students' Perspectives

Abstract

This study investigated the workplace expectations of Generation Z nursing senior students. The research was conducted as a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Participants are fourth-year nursing students in Turkey who do their internship in Istanbul hospitals affiliated to the Private Health Group in the spring term of 2020-2021 and have communication with the institution. The study population was 457 students, and the sample was 343 students who answered the online questionnaire. Data were collected through an online questionnaire and analysed using appropriate statistical methods with ethical approval for the research. Collected data were analysed using SPSS 21.0 software, including descriptive statistics number, percentage, mean, standard error, and chi-square analysis for comparisons. Ethical issues were considered in the study, and approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee for the conduct of the study. The average age of the students participating in the study was 21.97. Of the total participants, 81.9% (281 students) were women. Students from 43 different universities participated in the study, of which 73.34% (255 students) studied at universities outside of Istanbul. 58.0% (188 students) of the participants stated that they chose the nursing profession voluntarily. The findings show that the students participating in the study value safety precautions, clarity in job roles, fair treatment from management, employee benefits such as insurance and social security, and fair wage distribution among workplace expectations. It is crucial to understand the changing needs of Generation Z nurses and adapt workplace policies and practises accordingly.