Communication Patterns, Styles and Skills among Intergenerational Nurses in a Government Hospital

Existing literature often focuses on communication outcomes without fully comparing communication behaviors across generational groups, creating a gap that this study aimed to address. This study utilized a quantitative-descriptive comparative research design to determine the levels of communication patterns, communication styles, and communication skills among intergenerational nurses and to assess whether significant differences existed according to generation. The study was conducted among 205 nurses in a tertiary government hospital using adopted and validated questionnaires. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used to describe respondents and communication variables, while Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was employed to test differences among groups. Findings revealed that nurses demonstrated very high levels of communication patterns and communication skills, with assertive communication identified as the dominant style. Furthermore, no significant differences were found in communication patterns, communication skills, and communication styles across generational groups, indicating that nurses generally followed shared communication practices regardless of age category. The study concluded that communication among intergenerational nurses is shaped more by professional standards and workplace culture than by generational differences. Based on the findings, an Intergenerational Communication Enhancement Plan was proposed to sustain effective communication and strengthen collaboration among nurses.

intergenerational nurses, communication patterns, communication skills, communication styles

1. Alsabri, M., Boudi, Z., Lauque, D., et al. (2022). Impact of teamwork and communication training interventions on safety culture and patient safety in emergency departments: A systematic review. Journal of Patient Safety, 18(1), e351–e361. https://doi.org/10.1097/PTS.0000000000000782 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory. Prentice-Hall. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bhandari, P. (2023, March 20). Correlational research design: Methods, examples & types. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/correlational-research/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Bharathi, M., & Jothirajan, M. (2024). Communication patterns and professional relationships among nurses in hospital settings. Journal of Clinical & Biomedical Research, 8(2), 115–124. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Cahill, M., & Sedrak, M. (2022). Intergenerational communication in nursing: Strategies to bridge the generational gap. Nursing Management, 29(6), 32–38. https://doi.org/10.7748/nm.29.6.32.s9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Cakir, H., Tuna, D., & Sari, Y. (2021). Evaluation of nurses’ shift handover: Descriptive cross-sectional study. International Journal of Caring Sciences, 14(2), 1134–1141. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Cha, Y., Kim, E., & Park, J. (2025). Structured handovers and communication competencies among clinical nurses: Effects on patient safety outcomes. Nursing Open, 12(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1803 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Chandrawati, R., Widiyanto, P., & Nugroho, S. H. P. (2025). The influence of nurse motivation on the implementation of SBAR communication during handover. Media Keperawatan Indonesia, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.26714/mki.8.1.2025 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Chen, H.-W., Wu, J.-C., Kang, Y.-N., Chiu, Y.-J., & Hu, S. H. (2023). Assertive communication training for nurses to speak up in cases of medical errors: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nurse Education Today, 126, 105831. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105831 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Coupland, J., Coupland, N., & Giles, H. (2018). Intergenerational communication: The social context of aging. Routledge. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Eliasz, J., Smith, L., & Martínez, R. (2023). It’s the patient that suffers from poor communication: Drivers and implications of communication gaps in Ghanaian nursing teams. Journal of Clinical Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2023.04.012 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Evaluation of the compliance rate of patient handover task among nurses at the clinical departments of a children’s hospital and associated factors. (2025). Journal of Radiology Nursing, 44(3), 287–291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jradnu.2025.03.008 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Foronda, C., MacWilliams, B., & McArthur, E. (2016). Interprofessional communication in healthcare: An integrative review. Nurse Education in Practice, 19, 36–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2016.04.005 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Gasiorek, J., & Giles, H. (2019). Accommodation and communication between generations: A review of theory and empirical research. Journal of Language and Social Psychology, 38(1), 12–37. https://doi.org/10.1177/0261927X18801318 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Henderson, A., Ossenberg, C., & Tyler, S. (2022). Influences of generational communication styles on nursing collaboration. Journal of Nursing Management, 30(5), 1123–1132. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13624 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Karo, M. B., Simorangkir, L., & Sianipar, E. (2024). Nurses’ perceptions of therapeutic communication in a hospital setting. Inovasi Pembangunan: Jurnal Kelitbangan, 13(3). https://doi.org/10.35450/jip.v13i03.1334 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Khalid, N., Afzal, M., & Gilani, S. A. (2022). Exploring generational differences in communication competence among nurses. BMC Nursing, 21(1), Article 285. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-01019-2 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Koh, L. C., et al. (2023). Generational effect on nurses’ work values, engagement, and satisfaction in an acute hospital. BMC Nursing, 22, Article 84. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01256-2 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Kourkouta, L., & Papathanasiou, I. V. (2014). Communication in nursing practice. Materia Socio-Medica, 26(1), 65–67. https://doi.org/10.5455/msm.2014.26.65-67 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Kupperschmidt, B. R., Delaney, C., & Mitchell, M. (2023). Leading multigenerational nursing teams: Communication and collaboration in contemporary healthcare environments. Journal of Nursing Management, 31(4), 1021–1029. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13825 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Labrague, L. J., De los Santos, J. A. A., & Falguera, C. C. (2021). Organizational and professional factors influencing communication and teamwork among nurses in hospital settings. Journal of Nursing Management, 29(6), 1452–1460. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13252 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Lee, H., & Lee, S. (2023). Generational differences in communication styles and work values among nurses. BMC Nursing, 22(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01011-9 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Lee, S. A., & Lee, J. (2023). Differences in occupational values, communication types, job satisfaction, and organisational commitment among clinical nurses across generations. Frontiers in Psychology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1174197 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Lee, S. H., & Yi, Y. (2024). Work values and communication styles among Generation X, Y, and Z nurses: A cross-sectional study. International Nursing Review, 71(1), 115–121. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12863 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Lee, S. H., Kim, Y., & Chung, E. (2024). Work values and communication patterns across nurse generations in Korean hospitals. Nurse Education Today, 137, 105625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2024.105625 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Lee, W., & Jang, I. (2023). Effect of nurses’ professionalism, work environment, and communication with health professionals on patient safety culture (AHRQ 2.0): A cross-sectional multicenter study. Journal of Nursing Management, 2023, Article 1591128. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1591128 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Lee, Y. J., Lee, H., & Choi, E. H. (2023). Moderating role of communication competence in the association between professionalism and job satisfaction in Korean millennial and Generation Z nurses: A cross-sectional study. Healthcare, 11(18), Article 2547. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11182547 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Leonard, M., Graham, S., & Bonacum, D. (2004). The human factor: The critical importance of effective teamwork and communication in providing safe care. Quality and Safety in Health Care, 13(Suppl. 1), i85–i90. https://doi.org/10.1136/qshc.2004.010033 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Manojlovich, M. (2010). Nurse communication with physicians: A review of the literature. Nursing Outlook, 58(5), 281–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2010.06.004 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. McCombes, S. (2023, March 10). Descriptive research design: Definition, methods & examples. Scribbr. https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/descriptive-research/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Moykari, M. J., Sinaga, M. R., Sakke’, V., Sinaga, C. R. A., & Patrisia, I. (2023). Nurses’ knowledge and therapeutic communication in hospital. Revista Brasileira de Enfermagem, 76(5), e20220617. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-7167-2022-0617 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). The future of nursing 2020–2030: Charting a path to achieve health equity. National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25982 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Nolte, A. G., Makhado, L., & Mulaudzi, F. M. (2023). Generational diversity in nursing and its influence on teamwork and communication. Nurse Leader, 21(4), 367–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2023.01.003 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Noviyanti, L. W., Ahsan, A., & Sudartya, T. S. (2022). Exploring the relationship between nurses’ communication satisfaction and the quality of patient safety culture in hospitals. Journal of Nursing Management. https://doi.org/10.1111/jonm.13590 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

35. O’Hagan, S., Manias, E., & Cooper, H. (2021). Patterns of interprofessional communication in hospital nursing teams: A qualitative study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 30(9–10), 1294–1306. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.15632 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

36. O’Hagan, S., Manias, E., Elder, C., Pill, J., Woodward-Kron, R., Webb, G., & Webb, G. (2014). What counts as effective communication in nursing? Evidence from nurse educators and clinicians’ feedback on nurse interactions with simulated patients. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 70(6), 1344–1355. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.12296 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

37. Pazar, B., Kavakli, O., Ak, E. N., & Erten, E. E. (2024). Implementation and evaluation of the SBAR communication model in nursing handover by pediatric surgery nurses. Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing, 39(5), 847–852. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopan.2023.12.021 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

38. Professional Development Service for Teachers. (n.d.). Communication style questionnaire. Professional Development Service for Teachers, Ireland. https://pdst.ie/ [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

39. Ranjan, P., Kumari, A., & Chaudhary, Z. (2021). Effective communication skills in nursing practice: A systematic review. International Journal of Nursing Studies Advances, 3, 100034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnsa.2021.100034 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

40. Sanches, D., et al. (2024). Generational diversity in nursing practice environments: A scoping review. BMC Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-024-02607-3 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

41. Sanches, M., Ferreira, C., & de Oliveira, D. (2024). Generational diversity and communication patterns in nursing: Implications for teamwork. Nurse Leader, 22(2), 145–152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mnl.2024.01.005 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

42. Schunk, D. H. (2020). Learning theories: An educational perspective (8th ed.). Pearson. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

43. Shaw, T., Turner, J., & Keller, S. (2023). Communication quality and team safety culture among hospital nurses. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 55(3), 377–386. https://doi.org/10.1111/jnu.12898 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

44. Smiley, R. A., Kaminski-Ozturk, N., Reid, M., Burwell, P. M., Oliveira, C. M., Shobo, Y., Allgeyer, R. L., Zhong, E., O’Hara, C., Volk, A., & Martin, B. (2025). The 2024 National Nursing Workforce Survey. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 16(1), S1–S88. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

45. Squires, A., Woo, R., & De Oliveira, D. (2023). Cross-generational communication in healthcare teams: Challenges and collaboration strategies. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 79(2), 687–696. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15512 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

46. Stanley, D. (2022). Multigenerational nursing workforce and communication in clinical practice: A review of current evidence. Nurse Education Today, 112, 105321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2022.105321 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

47. Tan, S. H. E., & Chin, G. F. (2023). Generational effect on nurses’ work values, engagement, and satisfaction in an acute hospital. BMC Nursing, 22, Article 88. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01256-2 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

48. Tork, H. M., Althobaiti, H., Alshammari, S., & Alharbi, M. (2019). Understanding communication skills learning, behavior, and attitude among students in three nursing colleges in Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia. Clinical Nursing Studies, 7(1), 40–48. https://doi.org/10.5430/cns.v7n1p40 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

49. Vermeir, P., Vandijck, D., Degroote, S., Peleman, R., Verhaeghe, R., Mortier, E., & Vogelaers, D. (2015). Communication in healthcare: A narrative review of the literature and practical recommendations. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 69(11), 1257–1267. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcp.12686 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

50. Williams, A., & Nussbaum, J. F. (2001). Intergenerational communication across the life span. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

51. Yang, G., Zang, X., Li, C., & Bai, P. (2022). Bedside handover with structured and relayed forms in a postanesthesia care unit: A pre- and post-implementation study. Applied Nursing Research, 67, 151621. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2022.151621 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

52. Yun, J., Lee, Y. J., Kang, K., & Park, J. (2023). Effectiveness of SBAR-based simulation programs for nursing students: A systematic review. BMC Medical Education, 23, Article 507. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-023-04495-8 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• The Indirect Effect of Liquidity and Activity on Company Value with Profitability as an Intervening Variable
• Effect of Financial Skills, Knowledge, and Attitude on The Financial Behaviour of Clergy
• A Decade of Review: Trends in Budget Execution and Financial Performance of Development Projects in Tanzania (2014/15-2023/24)
• The Influence of Pre-Project Planning on the Budget Absorption Rate of Public Funded Infrastructure Projects in Kenya a Comparative Case Study of Narok, Migori, and Kisii County Government Projects
• Assessment of Factors Influencing Digital Transformation in Hotels’ Facility Management in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria