Generation Gap Article

The Generation Gap, Oh No!

Several articles on the woes of the generation gap prompted me to write an article on the benefits of being part of a sandwich generation. I am currently a member of the "inside layer" in both my personal and professional lives. It is no secret that I enjoy being a mentor to high school students, nursing students and brand new graduates. I likewise take delight in being in the presence of senior citizens both inside and outside of nursing. We have so much to offer each other that is lost in the battle of the "ages." I would like to offer some insight into personal interactions, which validated for me the benefits of intergenerational relationships.

During the time that I worked in the Phase 1 PACU of a large teaching hospital, I had the unique opportunity of planning and implementing a collaborative internship program. A guidance counselor from a neighboring school explained that her purpose in the partnership was to expose inner city students to careers in healthcare. During a regular semester, students would participate in a team experience on the unit for which they were graded according to set criteria. The ground rules for behavior and the expectations for participation were stated well in advance. There was a clear explanation of routine clerical and orderly duties to perform which complimented the work of the ancillary staff. There were also special events that were offered to the more adventurous students. These included the viewing of elective surgeries to include Cesarean sections and an observation of procedures performed at the patient's bedside. At the end of the experience, the student and myself would attend the health class and offer a birds eye view of the perioperative setting. Their course work included time in the admitting area, the visitor waiting room and the PACU proper. The students learned the importance of teamwork in our fast paced environment. It was certainly a win/win situation for all involved. One such student decided to become a certified nursing aide (C NA) and another student secured paid employment as an anesthesia aide. Two students have asked me to write letters of reference for application to nursing programs. This is a clear example of how a baby boomer has interacted positively with the generation Xers that resulted in renewed interest and recruitment into the nursing profession.

The Student Nurse Apprentice Program (SNAP) at Baystate Medical Center is another example of positive relations across the age and practice continuums. Nursing students who choose PACU as the location for part time employment find themselves in the best of both worlds. They become comfortable in a clinical area prior to graduation due to ongoing mentorship from RN staff and management. I was fortunate to witness the growth and development of twelve students during my time in PHASE 1. All of them went on to become productive members in hospital -based practice including three who presently work in the perioperative specialty. These students were younger than the PACU practitioners but were able to easily assimilate into the culture. In these instances a mutual respect built on trust and sharing of knowledge led to successful outcomes.

As a novice to ambulatory surgery, I sought guidance from the young nurses as well as the seasoned ones. After my "orientation" period, I went on to motivate nurses of all ages to become active in our organization by joining ASPAN. Two of them went on to take the CAPA exam. One became our representative to the Magnet committee and several others are now active members of our unit-based Clinical Practice Committee. All this proved that we don't have to eat our young. Instead we must nurture and guide them through safe passage into advanced critical thinking stages.

A recent encounter enabled me to focus on the ultimate benefits to be gained from an interaction with someone much older and wiser than myself. I was overjoyed to spend an afternoon with a graduate from the very first class at Elms College where I earned my Baccalaureate degree. Although she was not a nursing major because they did not have such specific tracks back then, she certainly received a well-rounded education. She was employed for many years as a social worker, which served as a natural link to nursing. As fate would have it, it was her granddaughter who mentored me as a new comer to outpatient surgery. Likewise I stimulated her to become a CAPA nurse. My visit with this ninety-four year old will remain with me a lifetime. We shared thoughts, feelings, values and beliefs about Elms College and life in general. Her pearls of wisdom aided me through dark days of personal loss. My boundless energy and optimistic spirit empowered her to preserve independence despite her confinement to a wheelchair.

The take home messages dear friends and colleagues are simple. Take time to promote intergenerational collaborations. Seek out and help a young nurse who is new to your area. Lend an ear to a high school student who needs career advice. Accentuate the positives of our profession at all times. Open communication and encourage dialogue among all ages and levels of practice. Encourage seniors to stand up and give voice to their concerns. Together we can preserve the generational link, which connects our lives in meaningful ways. Success will come when age barriers are gone and the going thought is generation gap- oh no!

Meg Beturne, MSN, RN,CPAN,CAPA