The Importance Of Novices In Nursing

has also resulted in the unheard of precedence of having the youngest in the workforce be the most expert at a critical skill. Instead of young nurses turning to their older colleagues for advice, older nurses are often dependent upon their younger peers for coaching, mentoring, and guidance in using the computer for everything from documenting their work to accessing necessary information. The transition to the Information Age literally flipped generational relationships.

• This transition has occurred in the context of the differing generational expectations and experiences described above. Yet members of each generation still operate as if their values and expectations are universal. Unquestioned assumptions often result in misinterpretation

For example, having grown up in a world where their voice and contributions are expected, younger nurses are often misunderstood when they willingly advise their more senior colleagues who were taught to respect and listen to their elders. From a Veteran nurse's perspective, the voiced criticisms of a novice nurse at a staff meeting may be seen as disrespectful, and thus discounted. From the novice's perspective, speaking up even with limited experience is seen as contributing to the unit. When both generations understand each other, they can acknowledge and respond to this difference in expectations. In this regard, novices can be taught and advised that waiting for a few months after taking a new job before publicly sharing their perspective can often make their observations more acceptable to the group. Conversely, older nurses can invite and encourage their younger colleagues to share their initial observations, welcoming a fresh point of

Yet, all too frequently intergenerational interactions degenerate into conflicts due to a lack of appreciation, understanding, or just misinterpretation of other perspectives. Nurses who learn to acknowledge and appreciate their colleagues from different backgrounds have a distinct advantage as successful teamwork is increasingly required both for job satisfaction and the ability to positively impact patient outcomes. Teams are most successful when their members are not only individually competent but also cohesively united and energized.

• Managing diversity has been described as "creating and maintaining an environment in which each person is respected because of his or her differences" (Davis, 2001, p. 161). This definition emphasizes that diversity is more than tolerating different point of views. Rather, diversity is valuing because of, not in spite of, differences. Recognizing and valuing