Leading Generation Y Nurses

Demographics can be a powerful force, as we learned in the last 2 US presidential elections. Generation Y came of age in time to vote and made sure that their voices were heard.1 This generational cohort, born between 1981 and 2000, numbers more than 78 million strong compared with 75 million Baby Boomers and 48 million in Generation X. Although they are still only 15% of the current nursing workforce, the shift is beginning. The number of nurses under the age of 30 is steadily increasing.2 With 3 million Baby Boomers turning 65 each year between 2014 and 2034, it is anticipated that Generation Y will be 50% of the nursing workforce by 2020.3