Interpersonal skills development in Generation Y student nurses: A literature review

SummaryBackgroundStudent nurses require training in the development of the interpersonal skills that are required for therapeutic nurse–patient relationships. This training should be provided within the basic education of nurses in a higher education institution. As the birth years of Generation Y range from the early 1980s to the late 1990s this generation is of the age group that enrols in higher education institutions. The unique learning needs of this generation necessitate a review of teaching strategies used in the development of interpersonal skills.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to present a literature review on the significance and development of interpersonal skills in Generation Y nursing students through nursing education.MethodologyLiterature searches were conducted on databases—with the use of Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL), Clinical key, PubMed and Google Scholar—using specific keywords and a timeframe of 2005 to 2013. All relevant articles were read critically.FindingsInterpersonal skills are at the core of the nurse–patient relationship. Meaningful interaction is recognised in Swanson's theory of “informed caring”. Debates, case studies, role-playing, storytelling, journaling, simulations and web page links to audio and video clips are some of the teaching strategies which can develop the interpersonal skills needed for meaningful interactions.ConclusionTeaching strategies embedded in the deconstruction pedagogies stimulate critical, analytical thinking through methods which complement the unique learning styles of Generation Y learners.