Nexion Health offers hope amidst dire workforce projections…by Kendra King
February 9, 2022 | General
Our oldest Gen Z crew turns 25 years old this year and is already walking digital stages of getting their professional licenses/certifications, bachelor’s, masters, or even their doctorate degrees. Some may call Generation Z, the iGeneration, instaGen, or digitalGen to those born between 1997 and 2012. No matter the clever name, we would like to shout the biggest and warmest WELCOME to the workforce to our Gen Z population. They are very innovative through social networking and via internet trends that reach and teach dozens of individuals worldwide. We look forward to Gen Z to shape and mold our world in the Nursing Home industry to better care for elderly and disabled individuals.
A Drought in Nationwide Labor Participation
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that between 2019 and 2029, millennials (persons born between 1981-1996) will grow by 4.5 million in the next decade as the baby boomers (born between 1946-1964) will continue to retire at more significant rates. Nevertheless, the total labor force participation rate is predicted to drop due to the declining labor in Generational Z. Millennials, and earlier generations are expected to rise. Labor force growth will be reduced to 0.5 percent per year due to a combination of work-from-home noninstitutional trends that promote convenience to the workforce. In other words, the workforce is dying!
Nexion Health is Hope
Nexion Health is committed to encouraging those of all backgrounds to enter and continue in the workforce that supports the critical offerings of our healthcare industry. In 2019, Gen Z accounted for 8.61% of the available workforce, but grew since the pandemic to 14.65% in 2021. Recognizing this shift in workforce, Meera Riner, COO for Nexion Health, established the pulse of Nexion’s recruiting efforts to recognize these inarguable daunting statistics. “The best workforce solution is one born out of family connections and introducing the long-term care setting to Gen Z at an early age,” said Riner.
Nexion Health’s Mother-Daughter Duo
A prime example of tapping into family connections can be found with our very own, Robin Lyles, 46 years old, who is currently the Assistant Director of Nurses at Terrell Healthcare and has been in the industry for over 22 years. She represents Generation X and encourages her young children, who represent Gen Z, to enter the Nursing Home care workforce. Lyles shared, “I hope they take the time to learn about the long-term care industry and to know it takes empathy and compassion to work in this field which cannot be learned on the internet.” Hailey Lyles, daughter of Robin Lyles, is currently 20 years old, and is following in her mother’s footsteps. “I genuinely love being around elderly people, and they teach me “the ways of life” and how to build bonds”. Hailey also added, “wearing scrubs is the cutest thing ever too.”
Nexion Health Emphasizes Cultural Priorities for Recruiting
The diversity and inclusion task force, launched by Meera Riner and a collection of forward thinking and collaborative team members at Nexion Health set out to prioritize welcoming various age groups to help care for our elderly and disabled population that need 24-hour nursing care. Riner explains, “We promote a diverse way of thinking to attract the diverse and culturally beautiful available workforce to serve and equally diverse and culturally beautiful population we serve.” The COVID-19 pandemic has shaped this and prior generation’s worldview. Their perspective on the world will be influenced by the pandemic and how it affected the workplace, so it is imperative that we also re-evaluate our own perspectives. Gen Z is a new lever for driving change in the workplace.
I’m proud to work for and represent this wonderful organization. I encourage all who seek a diverse and inclusive focused culture organization to give Nexion Health a try. Again, we welcome everyone, and the long-term care industry depends on our commitment to these sensitivities and Gen Z’s consideration of our setting for a career.
By Kendra King, Nexion Health