Heart of Safety Coalition
Gen Z to Boomers: Trust, loyalty and growth opportunities help recruit and retain team members in healthcare| Adele Webb, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN
11.20.2026
Episode 117 | Duration: 20:00
Healthcare leaders are .navigating an increasingly multigenerational workforce, with Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z working alongside one another. Each generation brings different experiences, expectations and perspectives to the workplace. As Gen Z enters the healthcare workforce, leaders are grappling with questions about how to attract, engage and retain younger care team members. New research from Strategic Education and The Harris Poll challenges some assumptions about what Gen Z professionals in healthcare want from their careers, revealing a generation that’s eager learn and grow, values trust and loyalty, and wants to know their employers are invested in their future.
In this episode of Caring Greatly, host Liz Boehm speaks with Adele Webb, PhD, RN, FNAP, FAAN, Executive Dean of Healthcare Initiatives at Strategic Education, about findings from a survey of more than 1,500 patient care professionals and 300 healthcare leaders. One striking finding is that 70% of Gen Z care team members expect to explore a new role in the coming year. While that number may raise concerns about turnover, Adele explains that it also reflects a strong desire for professional development, continuing education and opportunities for career advancement. For healthcare organizations struggling with workforce shortages and retention, understanding these motivations may be an important part of building a more sustainable workforce.
The conversation also challenges assumptions about younger generations and workplace loyalty. Despite perceptions that Gen Z employees are less committed to their employers, 95% of Gen Z respondents reported valuing long-term organizational commitment. Adele discusses the importance of communicating early and often about all the educational benefits and career development opportunities organizations offer to employees. Too often, there is a disconnect between what an organization offers and what employees know is available to help advance their career. Adele emphasizes that employers must make career pathways more visible, accessible and affordable, while recognizing that investing in professional growth can strengthen trust and retention.
Liz and Adele also explore how artificial intelligence (AI) may shape the future of nursing and other healthcare professions. While AI has the potential to reduce some administrative burdens and augment clinical work, Adele emphasizes the enduring importance of human connection in patient care. Drawing on her experience as a nurse, educator and mentor to younger generations, she offers a hopeful perspective on the future of nursing and practical insights for leaders seeking to build workplaces where clinicians across generations feel supported, valued and empowered to grow.
Adele Webb is a leader who cares greatly.
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